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Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Live A470 and M4 updates as crash causes delays
There are reports of serious delays across the south Wales traffic network on Saturday, May 23, with a crash on the A470 and bank holiday related delays on the M4. One lane is currently closed due to recovery work on A470 Northbound from A4058, Broadway Interchange, Pontypridd, to Navigation Park (AberCynon), no injuries have been reported. To add to the chaos, several main roads are closed until around 7pm today in Cardiff city centre, and delays are to be expected due to the Investec Champions Cup Final. Roads between the Central Station and the Castle are those affected and congestion is already worsening on Castle Street and Duke Street. Live updates follow:
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Climate
- South Wales Argus
AA warn M4 in South Wales expected to be congestion hotspot
The AA has issued an amber traffic warning, predicting millions of journeys each day. The roads are expected to be busy despite the mixed weather forecast for the long weekend. Two major games in Cardiff over the weekend are also expected to add to the congestion. Bath Rugby is taking on Lyon on Friday night at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in the final of the 2024/25 EPCR Challenge Cup. There is expected to be heavy congestion on the M4. GWR has also advised rail passengers to expect busy trains. The firm is also warning of disruption on Saturday when Northampton Saints take on Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup Final at the Principality. Rain is forecast for Bank Holiday Monday with mixed weather for the rest of the weekend. According to an AA survey, more than 20 million journeys are expected on Friday, May 3, with over 19 million each day from Saturday, May 4, to Monday, May 6. Half of these trips are set to be under 50 miles, indicating traffic will be concentrated around local destinations and attractions such as retail parks and town centres. Shaun Jones from the AA said: "Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. "Let's make sure we all get there safely and enjoy the time with our loved ones." The AA advises drivers to plan their journeys in advance, stay updated with congestion and roadworks, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy before setting off. Mr Jones added: "By following these tips, we can all contribute to a safer and more pleasant travel experience during the bank holiday weekend." With the recent sun and warm weather, over seven million people plan to embark on trips to the coast, sporting events, and garden centres on Saturday, May 4, while 3.5 million indicated they intend to take a long weekend break away from home. However, the Met Office has warned of more unsettled conditions with rain or showers in many areas in the UK, ending the prolonged dry spell. Mark Sidaway, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "Whilst the bank holiday won't be a complete washout, with some sunshine expected, this weekend represents a notable shift from the fine and settled weather pattern that has dominated so far this month." The AA anticipates that routes to popular coastal destinations will be busier than usual, if the previous good weather continues. These include roads heading towards the east coast such as Skegness as well as the south west and Cornwall, including the A303, M5 and A38, and those leading to Wales such as the M4.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Live travel updates as 30 minute delays reported on M4 as big holiday getaway begins
Roads around Wales are set to be extra busy today, May 23, as families set off on bank holiday and half-term getaways. Traffic Wales has warned that traffic is set to increase by approximately 15% on the M4 near Cardiff. There are also set to be a number of major events held over the course of the next few days in the world of sport, music and Welsh culture. The EPCR Challenge Cup Final takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday night at 8pm, followed by the Investec Champions Cup Final, also at the home of Welsh rugby, on Saturday, with a 2.45pm kick-off. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Thousands will also descend on Old Park Farm in Margam from Friday to Sunday, for the three-day In It Together Festival, which is headlined by Kaiser Chiefs, Becky Hill and Ronan Keating. Also at Margam Country Park from May 26 until May 31 is the Eisteddfod yr Urdd. There is already heavy traffic building on major routes including 30 minutes delays on the M4 westbound around the Brynglas tunnels. Follow live traffic updates below.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Full list of roads shut as thousands head to events in Cardiff city centre
Full list of roads shut as thousands head to events in Cardiff city centre This weekend, thousands are heading to the Principality Stadium. Here is everything you need to know about travelling through Cardiff A number of travel and traffic arrangements are in place for an event at the Principality Stadium this weekend (Image: WalesOnline ) The Principality Stadium will be hosting two major rugby games this weekend, closing off the city centre to drivers on both Friday and Saturday. Bath will be taking on Lyon in the final of the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Friday, May 23, and with kick-off taking place at 8pm, there will be a full city centre road closure from 4pm until 12 midnight to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely. The following day, Northampton Saints will be taking on Union Bordeaux Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup Final on Saturday, May 24. With kick off taking place at 2:45pm, there will be a full city centre road closure from 11am until 7pm. Get daily rugby updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: "Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to plan their journey and get in early. "Please pay attention to the prohibited items, in particular the bag policy (no large bags permitted) before travelling into the city." Motorists are being warned to expect the M4 to be very busy as fans travel to the match from over the Severn Bridges. Don't miss a rugby story, sign up for our newsletter Article continues below Drivers can plan ahead and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at the car park by the Vindico Arena on International Drive in the Sports Village (CF11 0JS). Full list of partial and full road closures From early on both days (7am) Scott Rd & Park St will be managed to prepare Gate 5 and to protect queuing fans. The following roads will be closed as part of the full city centre road closures for each event: Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street. Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street. Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted via Fizthammon Embankment.) Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted.) Saunders Road from its junction with St Mary Street. Customhouse Street throughout its length (access to private car parks will be permitted). Penarth Road from its junction with Saunders Road to the entrance leading to the rear of the Central Train Station. The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle St, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road, Green Street. Access to part of the Civic Centre will be controlled throughout the day from 7am, with access allowed only for event parking, limited commuter parking, loading and access to private car parks Roads affected include: King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, College Road and Gorsedd Gardens Road. Trains Transport for Wales will be running additional services for this fixture and has increased its standby road transport provision. Working in collaboration with GWR, TfW has developed a queuing system that supports the increase in service frequency and is encouraging all passengers to familiarise themselves with the new system before the day. Staff will be available at Cardiff Central to provide up-to-date information before and after the event. For more information, visit Principality Stadium, Cardiff | Transport for Wales. You must buy your ticket before getting on the train. To save time later, buy a return ticket on your way in. You can also buy your ticket on the TfW app or website Revenue Protection Inspectors will be doing ticket checks before and after the events. A post-event queuing system will be in place at Cardiff Central station, and Transport for Wales has confirmed that passenger numbers will be restricted for return journeys, asking all passengers to "please be patient." It has also warned that anyone under the influence of alcohol who is considered a threat to their own or public safety will be refused travel, as well as "anyone who uses abusive language or threatening behaviour towards rail customers or colleagues." Bus Local buses: Bus services will be diverted while the city centre road closures are in place Please visit the relevant bus operator's website for more information about your specific bus routes. Article continues below National Express: National Express coaches will use Sophia Gardens as usual.
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Best and worst times to travel according to motoring experts this bank holiday weekend
Best and worst times to travel according to motoring experts this bank holiday weekend The RAC and transport analysts Inrix have warned of a potential 'double dose of delays' with the bank holiday weekend preceding half term Traffic Wales has warned that several major events, including In It Together in Margam, will create additional traffic over Bank Holiday weekend (Image: Jessie Myers ) Drivers have been warned of the best and worst times to travel as there's set to be more than 17.9m road trips over the late May bank holiday weekend. Almost four in ten journeys are expected to be squeezed into the first two days, according to research. The RAC and transport analysts Inrix have warned of a potential 'double dose of delays' on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, when the highest number of leisure trips are projected to be made by car – 3.4 million on both days respectively. This figure drops slightly to 2.7 million on Sunday, jumping to 3m on Bank Holiday Monday, for the start of half-term. With most getaway trips due to begin before lunchtime, the research suggests the best times to hit the road will be very early in the morning or into the evening. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here A majority 68% of drivers say they will head off at some point between 5am and 12pm. 14% plan to leave between 5am and 8am, and nearly a third (30%) intend to travel mid-morning between 8am and 10am, with a further quarter (24%) will set off later between 10am and 12pm. Traffic is expected to peter out significantly later in the day, with those that can do so advised to leave their journeys as late as possible. According to the RAC's analysis, just 3% of motorists are planning trips between 7pm and 11pm after the evening rush hour. Article continues below Traffic Wales has warned that traffic is set to increase by approximately 15% on the M4 near Cardiff, with major events set to be held. They are as follows: EPCR Challenge Cup Final - May 23, kick off 8pm, at Principality Stadium, Cardiff Investec Champions Cup Final - May 24, kick off 2.45pm, at Principality Stadium, Cardiff In It Together Festival, May 23 to 25, from 10am onwards, at Old Park Farm, Margam, Port Talbot Eisteddfod yr Urdd, May 26 to 31, at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot Traffic Wales has previously warned that the busiest hotspots when traffic is most congested during holidays weekend periods are the M4 junction 28 to 29, the M4 junction 24 Coldra, and the A48 Carmarthen. Planned roadworks over the coming months could also mean the roads are busier. One lane will be closed due to resurfacing work on M4 Prince of Wales Bridge westbound between junction 22 M49 and M4 junction 23 / M48. There will be some overnight closures until July 7. Inrix is also warning M25 users to plan well ahead over the bank holiday weekend, as the UK's busiest motorway is expected to bear the brunt of the worst delays. On Friday, May 23, the day most drivers will be setting off, the M25 anticlockwise from junction four to junction one, near the Dartford Crossing, may see lunchtime journeys delayed by more than 45 minutes compared to normal. Later in the day, the M25 anticlockwise between Cobham services (junction 10) and Clacket Lane services (junction six) may face queues of 35 minutes longer at 5pm during the evening rush hour. Elsewhere, multiple routes connecting the west Country to the rest of the UK are expected to carry the lion's share of journeys on Saturday, May 24. Stretches of the A30 westbound towards Okehampton, the M5 southbound to Bridgwater and the A303 westbound past Stonehenge may suffer hold-ups of up to 55 minutes more than usual. With the bank holiday weekend marking the start of the school half-term break in many parts of the UK, there's little reprieve for drivers travelling home on Friday, May 30, when return journey times are expected to increase across the country by more than a third (35%). Offering guidance for drivers ahead of the long weekend, RAC mobile mechanic Aaron Bryan said: 'Our research shows it really is best to leave as early or late as possible this bank holiday weekend, as the majority of motorists are planning to set off in the morning. If the warm weather continues, travelling at cooler hours of the day saves fuel, puts less strain on the air conditioning system, and means older cars have much less chance of overheating. 'Regardless of the weather, always check your vehicle's oil and coolant levels before setting off, as well as tyre pressure and tread depth. Article continues below 'In hot temperatures, it's wise to carry lots of water, food and a tool kit, with jump leads, torch and some first aid basics. In the worst-case scenario of a breakdown, make sure you've got an umbrella and sunscreen to provide shade for all passengers when awaiting assistance." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
