Latest news with #RiverUsk
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Flytipper ordered to pay thousands after dumping concrete on road
A man who illegally dumped concrete on Neath Port Talbot road has been ordered to pay huge costs and a victim surcharge after he was traced by council officials. This comes as an investigation was launched after a woman was seen throwing household waste into the River Usk. The concrete hardcore waste was found dumped on Ffordd Amazon in Crymlyn Burrows. Joseph Anthony Salmon, 41, of Willow Court, Newbridge appeared before Swansea Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 7 for sentencing relating to an offence of depositing controlled waste illegally, and in violation of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He had previously pleaded guilty to the offence on July 24, 2025. In a separate incident, a pair of fly tippers were asked to pay up after dumping waste at a North Wales beauty spot. READ MORE: Four sisters' plan to build four houses next to each other labelled 'bonkers' READ MORE: 'We live in a caravan, work two days a week and spend just £330 a month' The court was told that a Neath Port Talbot Council Waste Enforcement Officer visited Ffordd Amazon on February 18, 2025 after a member of the public reported of fly tipping in the area. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here The officer discovered that a large deposit of concrete hardcore had been dumped on the road at the location of a partially constructed road junction behind concrete access barriers. Evidence captured on CCTV showed that the concrete hardcore had been dumped from a Ford Transit Tipper vehicle. After he was traced, Mr Salmon was interviewed by the council's Waste Enforcement Officers where he admitted to dumping the hardcore 'after his vehicle suffered a puncture on one of its rear wheels.' Mr Salmon also confirmed that he had not informed Natural Resources Wales or the Neath Port Talbot Council to advise them that the hardcore had been left at the location. He further added that he had not returned to the area to collect the waste, nor made any arrangements for its collection. The court ordered Mr Salmon to pay costs amounting to £3,025 along with a victim surcharge of £114. He was also awarded a 12-month Community Order which requires him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council's cabinet member for Streetscene, said: "This case shows how the community feels about fly-tipping. "We received a call about the incident and we have been able to deal with it successfully."
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Riverfront Parkrun goes ahead despite pop-up picnic area disruption
A pop-up picnic area in Newport has put the Riverfront Parkrun's problem-solving skills to the test. Parkrun organisers have been faced with the unintentional disturbance after it appeared underneath the landmark Steel Wave sculpture on the banks of the River Usk late in July. Its appearance drew concern from runners taking part and those involved with the race, whether as event staff or spectators. This temporary picnic area overlaps with the Parkrun start line, leading to the cancellation of last week's run on July 26 while organisers tried to find a safe solution to proceed with the weekly event. The new starting area will be in operation for the next six weeks (Image: NQ) The site will be in place until early September and is part of a city centre enhancement led by Newport Now, in partnership with the council. While the area is intended for residents to enjoy outdoor leisure, its placement has prompted frustration over an alleged lack of planning and consultation. Despite the cancellation of last week's run, this week's run went ahead with some minor changes that will stay in place for the next six weeks. The start area now looks entirely different outside the new picnic area. The start line has been narrowed to avoid the instillation, cutting the area that runners will pass through as they begin the race in half. To manage this narrowing of the course, a starting funnel has been put in place so that the crowd of runners can stay safe in the smaller area. Runners are given a safety briefing before the start of the race, to ensure that all participants are clear of the change to the route. Runners are organised by finish time to ensure they stay safe in the funnel (Image: NQ) Organised by anticipated finish time, this funnel will help keep runners safe from hazards as they embark on their weekly run along the river Usk. This site is part of a public space that is regularly used for events in the city centre. This small route adjustment has established that the Parkrun and picnic area are able to exist together in future years. The Argus approached Riverfront Parkrun and Parkrun UK for a statement on the matter but they did not respond.
