Latest news with #KenSkates
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Fourteen 20mph roads in Newport could revert to 30mph
The maximum speed limit on 14 roads in Newport is set to be changed back to 30mph from 20mph.A review of the Welsh government's 20mph speed limit was announced last year following a public default 20mph speed limit, covering 37% of the Welsh road network, was brought in by the Welsh government in September this year, Newport council said 16 stretches of road could revert back to 30mph. Transport Minister Ken Skates previously said the decision to reverse parts of the controversial £34m default 20mph policy was in response to "consistent" concerns raised by "a lot of people".Last July, the Welsh government gave councils more flexibility to assess the "movement" and "road characteristics" of specific routes, beyond just proximity to schools, hospital and other key March, the maximum speed limit on four busy roads in Cardiff was changed back to 30mph from 20mph, and in February it was announced more than 50 stretches of road in Wrexham would revert to comes as the data for the first year of the policy showed there had been about 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on 20 and 30mph roads. Newport council invited residents to nominate roads they believed should have been exempted from the Welsh government's decision to lower the nation's default speed limit to of the public offered any objections or comments on those proposals, and the council received a total of 12 representations, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A new report shows that after further consideration of the objectors' claims, the council decided two of the original 16 roads would remain at 20mph. One was a stretch of Caerphilly Road between Bassaleg and Rhiwderin, which an objector said now felt "safer for pedestrians".The council said a lower speed limit was "appropriate" for the road, which has "narrow footways" and was an "established walking route to school".The other road to remain at 20mph is a section of Usk Road to the east of objector also raised concerns the route was "well-used" by schoolchildren and people accessing the council said people "would feel unsafe about using the established route to walk to school safely" if the speed limit was increased to 30mph along a road which "carries a high pedestrian footfall, including young vulnerable children and the elderly". The council said "valid" objections were made in relation to other roads, but it judged those cases met the government's criteria for exemptions, meaning they may be changed to 30mph speed were a part of Bettws Lane, George Street Bridge, a part of Lighthouse Road, Tredegar House Drive, a part of Tregwilym Road, and Wharf were no valid objections to council proposals to introduce 30mph speed limits on the other roads - namely a part of Bassaleg Road, Duffryn Drive, Duffryn Way, Frederick Street, Morgan Way, a part of Royal Oak Hill, Wern Industrial Estate, and a part of West Nash Rhian Howells, cabinet member for assets and infrastructure, is expected to approve an officer's recommendation later this week to proceed with the speed limit changes on the agreed 14 stretches of announcement by Newport council follows a decision by Denbighshire and Monmouthshire council to reject calls to raise the default 20mph speed limit on a number of roads in the counties.
Leader Live
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
LOOK: Chair of Llangollen Eisteddfod praises volunteer army
During Eisteddfod week alone, volunteers contributed more than 30,000 hours to ensure the smooth running of one of Wales' most iconic cultural festivals. From youngsters to pensioners, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to support every aspect of the event – with volunteer stage crews working alongside floral, tickets, finance, communications, marketing, field hosts, stewards, grounds staff, accommodations teams, those looking after competitors and many more teams. 'This is an incredible achievement for a festival that employs just one full-time member of staff,' said Mr. Gambles. 'The heart and soul of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod is our volunteers. Their passion, dedication, and tireless hard work transform this festival from a dream into a truly magical celebration of music and culture. "Without them, none of this would be possible – they are the unsung heroes who make Llangollen shine on the world stage.' This year's Eisteddfod – the 78th since its founding – attracted praise from leading figures including Ken Skates MS, Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP, and local MP Becky Gittins. They each applauded the commitment and energy of the volunteer team, led by John Gambles, the Board of Directors and Chairs of various teams. Most volunteers hail from Llangollen and North Wales, while others travelled thousands of miles to lend their support. Llangollen has enjoyed a busy summer, with volunteers co-promoting all seven TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion concerts. This year's event welcomed more than 4,000 competitors from across the globe, including the world-renowned New Zealand Youth Choir, who won the prestigious Choir of the World title. Tens of thousands of visitors descended on Northeast Wales, providing a major boost to the local economy. Music industry insiders hailed the volunteers as the 'Pride of Wales', with Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, praising their exceptional contribution. Read more The volunteer team also partnered with local schools to inspire the next generation of Eisteddfod supporters. Forty students from Ysgol Dinas Brân and Ysgol Morgan Llwyd joined the Welcome Host team, assisting with field events, the festival shop, and liaison duties, while a further 20 students helped with programme sales. Volunteers work tirelessly year-round to keep the Eisteddfod thriving. This year, they also assumed full-time operations of the iconic Llangollen Pavilion, with plans to transform it into a vibrant all-year-round arts venue. Anyone who wants to volunteer at the Llangollen Pavilion - please email volunteers@
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
New plan to improve confidence for travellers in Wales
Travel for All is designed to improve accessibility and inclusivity in Wales' transport system, with a focus on removing barriers for disabled people and ensuring a more welcoming experience for everyone. Launched at the Wrexham Gateway Project—where accessibility upgrades are already in progress—the plan sets out five key principles. These include making sure people feel safe and welcome, improving physical access, involving users in design, and embedding long-term change across all modes of transport. Cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: "Accessibility and inclusivity aren't optional extras – they are fundamental rights. "Wrexham Gateway shows what can be achieved when we develop transport infrastructure in partnership with disabled people, putting their expertise and lived experience at the heart of design decisions." The scheme is backed by new standards and guidance for transport providers, developed in collaboration with disabled people. It also includes regular equality and disability awareness training for front-line staff across rail, bus, and other services. Physical improvements will address barriers through better lighting, accessible routes, and upgraded station facilities. Amanda Say, a member of the Transport for Wales Access and Inclusion Panel who uses public transport several times a week, said: "In terms of accessibility, it can be quite a challenge to plan any journey. "It is getting better. "Travelling by train is probably the easiest, while buses are much more challenging. "If we can link all active travel routes together, that journey – for everybody – is going to get much easier." At the Wrexham Gateway Project, panel members have already contributed to improvements such as new help points and accessible routes. Lee Robinson, executive director for regional transport and integration at Transport for Wales, said: "We're committed to delivering transport projects that are accessible and inclusive for all, and place people at the centre of design so customers feel safe and welcome when travelling in Wales." Travel for All supports the Welsh Government's wider disability rights agenda, including its 10-year Disabled People's Rights Plan, which is currently open for public consultation until August 7, 2025.
North Wales Live
15-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
140 job factory proposal in North Wales submitted to planners
Proposals are in for a major new factory in North Wales that would create 140 jobs. Knauf Insulation is behind the £170m plans for a manufacturing unit at Shotton, Deeside, which would be its second site in the region. It plans to take in 120,000 tonnes of raw materials per year – basalt, slag and recycled rock wool insulation and, using an electric melting furnace, turn that into 100,000 tonnes of rock mineral wool (RMW) insulation. This will then be used in housing and industrial insulation. Knauf has submitted a scoping opinion request to Flintshire council ahead of an Environmental Impact Assessment. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The report said: 'The raw materials and recycled materials will be delivered to the site via heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and stored in designated areas before being milled and reduced in size and combined in specific proportions within the batch plant before being processed and melted. An electric melting furnace will be used to melt the batch and produce molten rock minerals known as 'melt'. The melt is then spun into fibres which are then formed, cured and cooled to produce various RMW insulation forms. 'The RMW is then cut and packaged to meet customer and product requirements.' The new site would include two 70 metre chimney stacks and a third smaller emergency stack. As well as direct jobs on site Knauf has estimated the site will generate around 400 jobs in the wider UK supply chain and generate hundreds of jobs during the construction phase. The company said it will work proactively to provide local employment opportunities and to enable access to training where possible. Neil Hargreaves, managing director of Knauf Insulation Northern Europe, said: 'Knauf Group has a proud history of manufacturing in Wales and this project aligns with the Welsh and UK Government's commitment to sustainability and the industrial vision for North Wales and Deeside. Using UK-first SAF technology, the new factory will produce non-combustible, low embodied carbon, recyclable rock mineral wool insulation to support the need for safer, more energy efficient and sustainable buildings.' Knauf Insulation is the UK's largest insulation manufacturer. Founded in 1979 as a US subsidiary of German building materials giant Knauf Group, the firm employs more than 6,000 people worldwide, including 600 at its three UK manufacturing plants in Cwmbran, St Helens and Queensferry. Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, said: 'The plans will be a major investment in the area and are a testament to the skills and facilities we have here.'
South Wales Argus
15-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Plans to tackle roundabout congestion highlighted at meeting
The Monmouthshire MP met Welsh Government transport minister Ken Skates, Monmouthshire County Council deputy leader and cabinet member for planning and economic development Cllr Paul Griffiths, and representatives from Transport for Wales to find out more about progress on tackling congestion around High Beech roundabout in Chepstow. The group visited the site to understand the latest developments and discuss next steps. The group heard that Transport for Wales was developing a new traffic model to test a range of solutions for easing the long-standing congestion problem. This is hoped to be ready by October, with a workshop planned for the end of July to begin exploring realistic options. It was acknowledged that the issue extends beyond the roundabout and will require a regional approach. In the meantime, several short-term improvements are being considered – including improved traffic light controls, yellow box junctions, and potential lane realignment. Ms Fookes said: 'I know from my recent Monmouthshire-wide survey that congestion around High Beech Roundabout is one of the biggest frustrations for local residents. We've had studies and assessments over the years, but what we need now is action."
