Latest news with #Rowlands
Leader Live
3 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
Outdoor activities safety concerns raised by North Wales MS
Sam Rowlands, a Welsh parliament member for the region, requested an update from the Welsh government regarding improvements to outdoor safety. The chairman of the cross-party group on the outdoor activity sector questioned Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, about efforts to improve safety for outdoor pursuits. Mr Rowlands said: "You will know the good work that takes place through the cross-party group on the outdoor activity sector in Wales, and you'll also agree with me that we have some of the best outdoor activity organisations here in Wales that you could possibly imagine. "There have, though, been some recent tragic high-profile cases where basic safety standards in the outdoors have been ignored and caused tragic circumstances to arise." He also pointed out ongoing pressures on organisations such as mountain rescue, which aid people who find themselves in dangerous situations outdoors. Mr Rowlands expressed concern over the lack of clear direction from the Welsh government regarding responsibility for outdoor safety and associated legislation. He inquired about a point of contact for the sector to engage with as they strive to assure the public of safe outdoor enjoyment. READ MORE: NHS Wales to remove no-show patients from waiting lists, health secretary confirms In response, the minister confirmed that the Welsh government is committed to promoting safety, with a focus on prevention and risk mitigation for outdoor activities. Mr Rowlands added: "I firmly believe that everyone should be able to take part in activities safely outdoors and in particular that all young children should have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor education. "I recently met up with Scouts at Cox Wood Campsite in Rossett to see for myself how young people are able to benefit from taking part in all sorts of activities including being taught survival tips."
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Severn Bridge: Welsh Conservatives concern over 'bottleneck'
National Highways recently announced that from May 27, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) would only be permitted to use the bridge only if they weigh 7.5 tonnes or less. The weight restriction, expected to remain in place for 12 to 18 months, follows safety inspections revealing deterioration in the bridge's main cables. HGVs exceeding the weight limit will be redirected to the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. This decision has sparked concern among Welsh Conservatives, who fear a detrimental effect on the economy. They are worried about the economic and logistical consequences for businesses, commuters, and local communities across Wales. Sam Rowlands, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, said: "The Welsh economy is heavily reliant on the two Severn bridges, and this decision will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the Welsh economy. "Businesses, hauliers, and commuters will all bear the brunt of increased congestion, particularly on the Prince of Wales Bridge, which is already struggling due to ongoing roadworks." Mr Rowlands also criticised the Welsh Labour Government for scrapping the M4 relief road, suggesting that this decision has left motorists and businesses without "a crucial solution to manage growing traffic demands." The weight restrictions and subsequent redirection of traffic are expected to cause significant traffic issues, as drivers are forced to find alternative routes or face queues on the M4. These issues are predicted to cause knock-on effects for Newport's Brynglas pinch point and older roads through villages like Magor and Undy. The restrictions are deemed a major setback for all road users and will raise traffic concerns from Chepstow through to Newport and beyond. Hauliers are expected to use both the Prince of Wales Bridge and long detours around Gloucester, when the M4 at Newport becomes a major problem. However, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, has reassured the public that efforts are being made to reduce the impact of the restrictions. He said: "We will be working closely with National Highways and are determined to minimise travel disruption to the public and businesses whilst the weight limit is in place." The Welsh Conservatives' comments highlight the ongoing struggle to balance infrastructure safety with the need for efficient traffic flow and economic stability. The impact of these restrictions will likely be felt keenly by businesses and commuters in the region over the coming months.
Pembrokeshire Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Tories accuse Welsh Labour of silence over rail funding ‘shortchange'
Conservatives demand fair share from £6.6bn Oxford-Cambridge line as HS2 dispute continues THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have accused the Labour-run Welsh Government of failing to stand up for Wales over rail infrastructure funding, criticising what they call a 'deafening silence' on the long-running HS2 consequentials dispute and a lack of action over a newly announced £6.6 billion rail project in England. The Oxford-Cambridge rail corridor project, confirmed by Westminster as part of wider infrastructure investment plans, will not deliver any direct funding for Wales, reigniting debate over how major transport schemes in England are classified for funding purposes. Although transport is devolved, UK Government does not provide Barnett formula consequential funding to Wales for rail projects it deems to benefit England and Wales jointly—despite HS2 not passing through Welsh territory. Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, Sam Rowlands MS, said the current system is 'clearly unfair' and accused Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay of failing to push back. 'We've not heard a peep from the Welsh Labour Government on HS2 consequentials since the election,' he said. 'Now, with this rail project highlighting further unfairness in funding, it is clear that the Welsh Labour Government has no sway with their counterparts in Westminster.' Mr Rowlands added: 'We were promised two governments working in partnership to deliver what is best for Wales. Instead, we've had broken promise after broken promise, leaving Wales shortchanged on critical infrastructure investment.' The Conservatives reiterated their call for Wales to receive its fair share of HS2-linked funding, and argued that any new funding arising from major projects in England should be distributed transparently and fairly. 'To ensure transparency and effective use of resources, this funding must be allocated directly to Network Rail to deliver for the needs of people in Wales,' Mr Rowlands said. The Welsh Government has previously argued that HS2 should be classed as an 'England-only' project for the purposes of funding allocation, potentially unlocking billions in additional investment for Wales. However, no change in classification has been agreed. The Herald has approached the Welsh Government for comment.
South Wales Argus
19-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Conservative call for yacht tourism tax exemption sinks
Sam Rowlands, the Tory shadow finance secretary, introduced an amendment to the tourism tax bill to remove powers for ministers to extend the levy to berths and moorings in future. He argued extending the bill to marinas would be unnecessarily complicated and burdensome, adding that boating is a leisure and sporting activity. He said: 'To be clear, those that provide berths and moorings are not providing visitor accommodation in any real sense. By their nature, those vessels… move around.' Mr Rowlands told Senedd members: 'It's quite clear that boaters have a minimal… impact on local services because they are self-contained within the berth or mooring area.' But Senedd members voted 3-1 against the Conservative's proposal as the finance committee considered nearly 160 amendments to the bill. Mike Hedges, who represents Swansea East, said: 'As I tell people quite regularly, we've got a marina there and I can tell you now – when people come in by boat into that marina, they don't stay in the marina… they go into the city centre and they use the services there." His Labour colleague Mark Drakeford agreed: 'It is right that [for] a yacht arriving at Swansea or Cardiff marina… the yacht owner should pay the levy just as somebody staying in a nearby hotel or the Cardiff council campsite in Pontcanna will be.' If the bill completes its passage through the Welsh Parliament, £1.30 a person before VAT could be charged on overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. A lower rate of 80p would apply to hostels and campsites, with the 22 Welsh councils given powers to decide whether to introduce a local levy from 2027 at the earliest. The committee also rejected Tory calls for a 10-night cap on the levy as well as exemptions for educational trips, charities, members of the armed forces and veterans. A Plaid Cymru amendment to exempt all under 16s was also defeated. But Senedd members were able to agree other amendments, including an exemption for under 18s from the lower rate, during the 'stage-two' meeting on May 15. Members voted to raise the lower and higher rates by 5p to 80p and £1.30 respectively. The bill now moves to the third step: consideration of amendments by the whole Senedd: before a crunch vote on the final version at stage four.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Professor's chance encounter with new Pope
A university professor had a chance encounter with the new Pope Leo XIV hours after he was elected. Prof Anna Rowlands, of Durham University, described the meeting on Thursday evening as "an enormous joy and privilege". She told BBC Breakfast the pontiff looked "slightly overwhelmed", but his serenity was also "intensified". Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, 69, is the 267th Pope and the first American to fill the role. Prof Rowlands, from Manchester, said her meeting with the new pope came about after Sister Nathalie Becquart - one of Pope Francis's most senior female appointments - invited her to a building inside the Vatican, where many staff live. It turned out to be one of the first places Pope Leo XIV had decided to visit in private. "Because I was with Sister Nathalie, slightly gate-crashing the arrangement, I was able to have a few words with Pope Leo yesterday evening, which was an enormous joy and privilege," Prof Rowlands said. The theologian added she had met Prevost before he became pope, and described him as "quiet person", with a good sense of humour. "He's very thoughtful and he's just very ordinary, so he's quite unassuming when you've met him in the past before he was Pope Leo," she said. "I didn't see a change in those characteristics last night, perhaps an intensification of them." Born to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Pope Leo served as an altar boy and was ordained in 1982. He moved to Peru three years later, but returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city. The new Pope has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges. Prof Rowlands added: "He was the same person, but with a kind of intensified serenity. There was a gentleness and a kindness. "He looked slightly overwhelmed, but in a rather lovely way and he was just touched by people, thanking him and greeting him, people he's known personally for such a long time." Prof Rowlands had also met Pope Francis when she was seconded to the Vatican during his papacy. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Who is Robert Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV? 'I flipped out, I said no way!' - Chicago celebrates hometown Pope 'Peace be with you all,' Pope Leo XIV says in first speech
