Latest news with #Irranca-Davies
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Viral video shows rubbish dumped into River Usk, Newport
The footage, posted on Facebook on July 26, shows a woman emptying a large carrier bag of waste directly into the river. The fly-tipping incident happened in broad daylight, along a section of the river in the city centre and near Newport's Riverfront Theatre. Newport City Council has condemned the act of fly-tipping, describing it as "a blight on the environment and communities." The council has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway, and Natural Resources Wales, along with Fly-Tipping Action Wales, have been informed. The rubbish that was dumped in the river in the video (Image: Supplied) A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: "[[Newport City Council]] is investigating the incident and has informed NRW and Fly-Tipping Action Wales. "We absolutely condemn fly-tipping as it is a blight on the environment and communities. "There is no excuse for it. "A wide range of items that can be recycled are collected weekly from people's homes in the city." The council also highlighted their efforts in combating fly-tipping in the city, stating a significant increase in enforcement action and a reduction in incidents. They urged residents to report any instances of illegally dumped waste through their website or by calling 01663 656656. Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said in an official Cabinet statement: "Littering and fly-tipping is a blight on our communities. "It costs money to remove and damages our environment. "Yet it is completely avoidable, and everyone stands to gain from a clean and safe environment. He continued: "We are working with communities, businesses, organisations, and local authorities to provide cleaner and greener natural spaces to improve people's mental and physical well-being." Mr Irranca-Davies also mentioned the legislative efforts to curb the issue, including the introduction of The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 and The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wet Wipes) (Wales) Regulations 2025. He added: "Whilst legislation can provide an effective deterrent, it cannot operate in isolation. "We continue to provide grant funding to partners such as Keep Wales Tidy and Fly-tipping Action Wales, who work with organisations and communities to help educate and encourage positive behavioural change." Fly-tipping Action Wales is working in conjunction with local authorities to improve the quality and robustness of the annual data published on Stats Wales. This initiative aims to give local authorities a better understanding of the types of incidents occurring, so they can work with communities to target specific hotspots. There was a variety of rubbish dumped into the river (Image: Supplied) The Deputy First Minister further stated the importance of enforcement action, acknowledging its complexity and challenges. He said: "Fly-tipping Action Wales continue to support local authorities with their investigations, including providing access to free legal advice from specialist environmental lawyers and offering dedicated enforcement officer support." The council's crackdown on fly-tipping extends beyond mere enforcement. In 2024, Keep Wales Tidy was funded to develop a new litter survey methodology. The Geospatial Litter Analysis (GLN) tool expands on the existing litter data and monitoring system to better reflect the scale and scope of litter and related issues. So far this year, an area greater than 1 million metres squared has been surveyed. Keep Wales Tidy has also been instrumental in supporting community groups, with 1,334 registered litter champions and 245 litter hubs. Their initiatives aim to improve the local environment and encourage others to take action. The ongoing efforts highlight the importance of preventing the illegal disposal of waste in the first place. In 2024-25, Keep Wales Tidy worked with local authorities on more than 500 occasions on practical improvements to local neighbourhoods. The forums helped identify litter and fly-tipping hotspots, leading to targeted clean-ups and local campaigns. The council believes that consistent collaboration with local authorities, businesses, private landowners, third sector organisations, and communities is laying the foundations for preventing littering and fly-tipping in Wales.
Western Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
'First-of-its-kind' disused tips bill passed by Senedd
Huw Irranca-Davies welcomed cross-party support for the disused tips bill which was introduced in the wake of a major landslide in Tylorstown, Rhondda, in 2020. The Labour deputy first minister said: 'We are keenly conscious of the worry and the anxiety that so many families living in the shadow of disused tips feel, right across Wales.' The bill updates the 'not fit for purpose' Mines and Quarries Act 1969 and establishes the Disused Tips Authority for Wales, charged with ensuring tips do not threaten human welfare. Vowing never to forget the Aberfan tragedy, Mr Irranca-Davies said 'Climate change, with ever-increasing and erratic levels of rainfall, poses increasing challenges for the management of disused tips. 'And for thousands of people in all our communities across Wales… these tips are an ever-present reminder of what can go tragically wrong.' The bill includes arrangements for the assessment, registration and monitoring of tips as well as powers for the Disused Tip Authority to enter land and require information. Mr Irranca-Davies described the bill as progressive and the first of its kind in the UK, saying: 'As a nation that was in the vanguard of the coal industry, it's entirely appropriate that we lead the way with the legislation to ensure the future of disused tips and quarries.' Janet Finch-Saunders, the Conservatives' shadow environment secretary, backed the bill during a debate on July 15 before Senedd members voted 50-0 in favour. But Ms Finch-Saunders raised concerns about the estimated £600m cost of remediation, with 2,500 coal tips and 20,000 non-coal tips in Wales. Delyth Jewell told the Senedd: 'Communities were told to make peace with the desolation left as successive governments shied away from tending to the open wounds of the abandoned mines – allowing them to fester so visibly, painful reminders of exploitation. 'This has not just imposed a terrible environmental toll, the unexorcised spectre of the coal mining industry has weighed heavily on the collective consciousness of these communities.' Plaid Cymru's shadow climate secretary broadly supported the bill but bemoaned a lack of ambition in regulating the use of coal in the remediation of mines.
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
'First-of-its-kind' disused tips bill passed by Senedd
Huw Irranca-Davies welcomed cross-party support for the disused tips bill which was introduced in the wake of a major landslide in Tylorstown, Rhondda, in 2020. The Labour deputy first minister said: 'We are keenly conscious of the worry and the anxiety that so many families living in the shadow of disused tips feel, right across Wales.' The bill updates the 'not fit for purpose' Mines and Quarries Act 1969 and establishes the Disused Tips Authority for Wales, charged with ensuring tips do not threaten human welfare. Vowing never to forget the Aberfan tragedy, Mr Irranca-Davies said 'Climate change, with ever-increasing and erratic levels of rainfall, poses increasing challenges for the management of disused tips. 'And for thousands of people in all our communities across Wales… these tips are an ever-present reminder of what can go tragically wrong.' The bill includes arrangements for the assessment, registration and monitoring of tips as well as powers for the Disused Tip Authority to enter land and require information. Mr Irranca-Davies described the bill as progressive and the first of its kind in the UK, saying: 'As a nation that was in the vanguard of the coal industry, it's entirely appropriate that we lead the way with the legislation to ensure the future of disused tips and quarries.' Janet Finch-Saunders, the Conservatives' shadow environment secretary, backed the bill during a debate on July 15 before Senedd members voted 50-0 in favour. But Ms Finch-Saunders raised concerns about the estimated £600m cost of remediation, with 2,500 coal tips and 20,000 non-coal tips in Wales. Delyth Jewell told the Senedd: 'Communities were told to make peace with the desolation left as successive governments shied away from tending to the open wounds of the abandoned mines – allowing them to fester so visibly, painful reminders of exploitation. 'This has not just imposed a terrible environmental toll, the unexorcised spectre of the coal mining industry has weighed heavily on the collective consciousness of these communities.' Plaid Cymru's shadow climate secretary broadly supported the bill but bemoaned a lack of ambition in regulating the use of coal in the remediation of mines.
South Wales Guardian
18-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
'First-of-its-kind' disused tips bill passed by Senedd
Huw Irranca-Davies welcomed cross-party support for the disused tips bill which was introduced in the wake of a major landslide in Tylorstown, Rhondda, in 2020. The Labour deputy first minister said: 'We are keenly conscious of the worry and the anxiety that so many families living in the shadow of disused tips feel, right across Wales.' The bill updates the 'not fit for purpose' Mines and Quarries Act 1969 and establishes the Disused Tips Authority for Wales, charged with ensuring tips do not threaten human welfare. Vowing never to forget the Aberfan tragedy, Mr Irranca-Davies said 'Climate change, with ever-increasing and erratic levels of rainfall, poses increasing challenges for the management of disused tips. 'And for thousands of people in all our communities across Wales… these tips are an ever-present reminder of what can go tragically wrong.' The bill includes arrangements for the assessment, registration and monitoring of tips as well as powers for the Disused Tip Authority to enter land and require information. Mr Irranca-Davies described the bill as progressive and the first of its kind in the UK, saying: 'As a nation that was in the vanguard of the coal industry, it's entirely appropriate that we lead the way with the legislation to ensure the future of disused tips and quarries.' Janet Finch-Saunders, the Conservatives' shadow environment secretary, backed the bill during a debate on July 15 before Senedd members voted 50-0 in favour. But Ms Finch-Saunders raised concerns about the estimated £600m cost of remediation, with 2,500 coal tips and 20,000 non-coal tips in Wales. Delyth Jewell told the Senedd: 'Communities were told to make peace with the desolation left as successive governments shied away from tending to the open wounds of the abandoned mines – allowing them to fester so visibly, painful reminders of exploitation. 'This has not just imposed a terrible environmental toll, the unexorcised spectre of the coal mining industry has weighed heavily on the collective consciousness of these communities.' Plaid Cymru's shadow climate secretary broadly supported the bill but bemoaned a lack of ambition in regulating the use of coal in the remediation of mines.
South Wales Argus
05-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
15 tonnes of waste recycled from Welsh harbours in year
A pioneering recycling scheme in Wales targeting end-of-life fishing gear has been recycled since 2023, diverting nets, ropes, and buoys from landfill and helping to protect coastal environments. The End of Life (EoL) Fishing Gear Scheme, a partnership between the Welsh Government and Odyssey Innovation Ltd, provides collection points at harbours across Wales for the disposal and recycling of plastic fishing equipment. Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister with responsibility for climate change and rural affairs, recently visited the Aberystwyth collection station to see the scheme in action. Mr Irranca-Davies said: "This remains the only truly nationwide scheme of its kind in the UK, bringing in an additional resource for a previously untapped source of material and supports our aim to become the best recycling nation in the world." Fishing gear is estimated to make up 20 per cent of all marine litter. It was the third most commonly found item in last year's Great British Beach Clean survey for Wales, accounting for 14 per cent of all beach litter. The scheme has now expanded to 10 harbours, with strong engagement particularly from smaller ports along the Cardigan Bay coastline. Rob Thompson of Odyssey Innovation said: "This recycling initiative stands as a prime example of how collaborative efforts between various entities can effectively foster a circular economy. "The enthusiastic participation of fishermen in recycling their gear has been absolutely essential to the scheme's success." Materials collected are graded and recycled into a range of products, including council street furniture, road materials, and even kayaks. Nets and ropes are processed in Denmark and turned into items such as the 'Scuttle the Cuttle' microplastic-catching scoop, designed for use by young people and community groups.
