Latest news with #SianWilliams
Sky News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Welsh Water fined £1.35m over sewage discharge breaches
A water company has been fined £1.35m over the monitoring of its effluent discharges dating back four years. Welsh Water was also ordered to pay £70,237.70 in costs after pleading guilty to over 800 breaches of its discharge permits. Water companies have been required to self-monitor their effluent discharges from their sewage and water treatment works since 2010. Welsh Water submitted its own discharge data to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as part of its annual report. The non-compliances, reported in the firm's 2020 and 2021 reports, were related to recording final effluent samples at wastewater treatment works and summarised into 18 offences. The discharges were spread across 300 sites throughout Wales and Herefordshire. Welsh Water pleaded guilty to 15 of the 18 charges on 16 October, with the remaining charges accepted on 17 December. Over 600 of the breaches were recorded in the 2020 report, which Welsh Water said were mainly caused by internal restructuring and the effects of the COVID pandemic. In 2023, the water company had its status downgraded over a rise in pollution incidents. Sian Williams, head of operations at Natural Resources Wales, said the case highlighted "inadequacies in the processes" at Welsh Water. Ms Williams said NRW believe the "failings shown" could have been avoided if "better contingency planning" had been in place. "This is a stark warning to the company that we will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers to secure the improvements we expect to see," she added. A Welsh Water spokesperson told Sky News it had a "strong record of compliance" with its monitoring obligations before and after the period in question. "No sites were left unmonitored during this time, but the unique circumstances during 2020/21 caused significant challenges and disruption to our operations," they said. While there had been "no identified environmental harm associated with this case" the company recognised its compliance "fell short" in 2020 and 2021 and had entered a guilty plea "at the earliest opportunity". "Welsh Water will continue to work closely with our regulators to ensure that we deliver on our two main priorities, the best possible service to our customers and protecting the environment," the spokesperson added.
Sky News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News
Welsh Water fined £1.35m over sewage discharge monitoring
Why you can trust Sky News A water company has been fined £1.35m over the monitoring of its sewage discharges dating back four years. Welsh Water was also ordered to pay £70,237.70 in costs after pleading guilty to over 800 breaches of its discharge permits. Water companies have to hold an environmental permit to dispose of domestic sewage, and have been required to self-monitor their discharges since 2010. Welsh Water submitted its own discharge data to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as part of its annual report. The non-compliances, reported in the firm's 2020 and 2021 reports, were summarised into 18 offences. The discharges were spread across 300 sites throughout Wales and Herefordshire. Welsh Water pleaded guilty to 15 of the 18 charges on 16 October, with the remaining charges accepted on 17 December. Over 600 of the breaches were recorded in the 2020 report, which Welsh Water said were mainly caused by internal restructuring and the effects of the COVID pandemic. In 2023, the water company had its status downgraded over a rise in pollution incidents. Sian Williams, head of operations at Natural Resources Wales, said the case highlighted "inadequacies in the processes" at Welsh Water. Ms Williams said NRW believe the "failings shown" could have been avoided if "better contingency planning" had been in place. "This is a stark warning to the company that we will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers to secure the improvements we expect to see," she added. A Welsh Water spokesperson told Sky News it had a "strong record of compliance" with its monitoring obligations before and after the period in question. "No sites were left unmonitored during this time, but the unique circumstances during 2020/21 caused significant challenges and disruption to our operations," they said. While there had been "no identified environmental harm associated with this case" the company recognised its compliance "fell short" in 2020 and 2021 and had entered a guilty plea "at the earliest opportunity". "Welsh Water will continue to work closely with our regulators to ensure that we deliver on our two main priorities, the best possible service to our customers and protecting the environment," the spokesperson added.
North Wales Live
26-04-2025
- Climate
- North Wales Live
The North Wales towns and villages in biggest danger of being flooded now and in future
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has warned there is 'no silver bullet' for protecting communities against flooding, with risks expected to increase as the climate changes. It has listed the communities in North Wales most at risk both now and in the future (see below). Not included is an Anglesey town that was inundated more than seven years ago. Six homes and 27 businesses in Llangefni suffered devastating flooding in 217 when the Afon Cefni burst its banks. Potential measures there now include 'property level protection' and a flood warning system for certain parts of the town. However NRW has said funding is short and it can't guarantee when and if these will be put in place. In Wales, it's estimated that one in seven properties (272,817) are currently at risk of flooding. Over the next century, an additional 46,000 homes could face increased flood risk from rivers and the sea. Sian Williams, NRW's head of North West Wales operations, said: 'The impacts of climate change are being felt across our communities, increasing the risk of flooding. We can't stop all flooding but.... we can work to reduce risk in areas. 'There is no silver bullet to stop flooding. We cannot simply build our way out of this, so it is important that we consider all options available within our flood risk toolbox.' Despite what happened in Llangefni, the town is not regarded as one of the communities in northwest Wales most vulnerable to river or sea flooding. According to an NRW's flood risk management plan, those currently most at risk are all coastal communities threatened by the sea. They are: Abergele Fairbourne Kinmel Bay Porthmadog Pwllheli Towyn In northeast Wales, the communities currently most at risk from flooding (all from the sea) are: Connah's Quay and Shotton Garden City and Deeside industrial estate Prestatyn Queensferry, Sandycroft and Manor Lane Rhyl Lache (Chester) NRW has also assessed the communities in North Wales predicted to experience the 'biggest change in danger' from flooding (both sea and rivers) by the year 2120. The top five for each region are listed below. Future sea flooding danger in northwest Wales Future river flooding danger in northwest Wales Abergele Dolgellau Fairbourne Kinmel Bay Towyn Future sea flooding danger in northeast Wales Connah's Quay and Shotton Lache Prestatyn Queensferry, Sandycroft and Manor Lane Rhyl Future river flooding danger in northeast Wales Bangor on Dee Garden City and Deeside Industrial Estate Rhyl Ruthin Sealand Flooding update for Llangefni On Wednesday, November 22, 2017, a rain gauge bear Bangor, Gwynedd, registered 92mm of rain in 24 hours, peaking at 5.2mm in a 15-minute period. Llangefni was engulfed when the river burst its banks and up to 5ft of storm water swept through the market town. In Dwyran, further south, 13 homes were flooded the same day. In the aftermath, flood modelling and preliminary defence designs were drawn up for Llangefni to prevent a repeat. But a n NRW study concluded new flood defences for the island's second largest town was not economically viable. Instead a Flood Warden Group was established and this has developed a community flood plan. Anglesey Council is responsible for managing the island's flood risks from surface water, groundwater and watercourses. In the aftermath of Llangefni's 2017 floods, the local authority removed gravel, rocks and trees, and funded a new £85,000 wall behind Glandŵr Terrace. However NRW said it will work with the council to ensure a 'coordinated approach' and, with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, all parties are open to 'alternative solutions'. for its part, NRW will continue to monitor river levels, inspect the Afon Cefni for blockages and 'take action when necessary to address any issues'. Sian Williams, NRW's head of North West Wales operations, said: 'Although a flood improvement scheme is not possible, concerns remain over residual flood risk in the town. 'We remain open to cooperate with any organisation or initiative wishing to develop proposals in the future while continuing to work with partners to best manage the ongoing risk. 'Work is ongoing on asset maintenance and inspection programmes, updating community flood engagement and awareness, and looking at the possibility of a site-specific flood warning system. 'We are intending to look at property level protection, but this will require more work and based on resource and funding we cannot currently give a definitive timeline for this.' NRW is working with landowners to remind them of their responsibility to manage trees on their land. If they fall into rivers, or restrict water flows, they can increase flood risks.
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC line-up of free events announced for Hay Festival 2025 – including debuts from The Archers Podcast, What's Up Docs? and Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
An exciting mixture of free BBC events have been added to the Hay Festival 2025 programme, 22 May –1 June. Taking place in the Exchange Marquee, set in the centre of the free-to-enter Hay Festival, BBC events (from 22nd May – 27th May) offer a dynamic blend of live show recordings and other events from Radio 4, Radio 3, BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Wales. This year's line-up sees many programmes making their Hay Festival debut. Fans of The Archers are in for a treat as Emma Freud brings her weekly podcast, The Archers Podcast, to Hay Festival for the first time. Join Emma for behind-the-scenes insights into the latest events in Ambridge, with members of the cast and the production team, along with some classic archive moments and the chance to ask questions. Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken present their brand-new BBC Radio 4 health podcast, What's Up Docs? in its first appearance at Hay Festival. They'll be debating everyday health and wellbeing dilemmas, with the help of a guest expert. Phil Wang and Susie Dent will host Unspeakable, their hit comedy panel series adding new words to the English language. Meanwhile, true crime meets literature with Lucy Worsley and the team from hit Radio 4 series Lady Killers in conversation with historian Professor Rosalind Crone and a guest to discuss infamous murderesses from history. Naomi Alderman dissects the minds of brilliant thinkers from the past in her landmark Radio 4 series Human Intelligence. James Crawford is joined by author Andrew Miller for Radio 4's new book programme, Take Four Books. Newscast, one of the UK's biggest podcasts, makes its Hay Festival debut, hosted by Adam Fleming. Radio 3's Unwind will feature broadcaster and presenter Dr. Sian Williams and cognitive neuroscientist Professor Catherine Loveday in conversation. Delving into the science behind music and the brain, Sian and Catherine share practical tips to keep listeners positive and productive, revealing the benefits of open-mindedness and getting out into nature. The BBC Marquee will also be home to a range of live broadcasts. Emma Barnett brings a special edition of Today live from Hay Festival, offering festival-goers the chance to see the inner workings of the BBC's flagship morning news programme. Saturday Live, hosted by Huw Stephens and Kiri Pritchard McLean, will have guests including author and Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, presenter and author Stacey Dooley, and Murdle puzzle master GT Karber. Samira Ahmed will host Front Row live from the festival, and comedy writer Henry Normal presents a special edition of his show. Other popular favourites will return to Hay Festival this year, including the BBC's hit ghostly podcast Uncanny with host Danny Robbins, plus experts Evelyn Hollow and Ciaran O'Keeffe. Gabriel Gatehouse presents a special behind-the-scenes edition of the hit podcast The Coming Storm, and Dr Sian Williams speaks to people who have experienced life-changing events in Life Changing. Free Thinking returns for a double bill, with Matthew Sweet joined by Joe Dunthorne, Kavita Puri, and Jenny Kleeman to discuss personal identity; the second event will see guests Tom Holland, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Adam Greenfield, and Sophie Scott-Brown joining Matthew to discuss the topic of political power. For the second year running Radio 4's A Good Read comes to Hay Festival, where Harriett Gilbert is joined by two guests to choose their favourite books. Greg Foot returns with Radio 4's hugely popular consumer science programme, Sliced Bread, which this time looks at dog food. Michael Buerk chairs the Moral Maze debate with Ash Sarker, Anne McElvoy, James Orr, and Mona Siddiqui, and Natalie Haynes brings her signature mix of comedy and the classics in Natalie Haynes Stands Up for The Classics. There will also be the chance to join author, poet and former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen, for an exploration of language in Word of Mouth. Tom Sutcliffe and his panel of experts come together to explore the afterlife of rubbish in Start the Week: he's joined by journalist Alex Clapp, whose book Waste Wars exposes the catastrophic reality of the global garbage trade; archaeologist Chloe Duckworth, who brings stories of the mess left behind by our ancestors; and palaeobiologist Sarah Gabbott who looks deep into the future to investigate how today's junk will appear in the fossil record in her book Discarded. Plus, there's uplifting stories at Cafe Hope, poetry with Ian McMillan, Michael Rosen and Natalie Ann Holborow in The Adverb, and music, comedy and conversation from Clive Anderson and guests on Loose Ends. On Bank Holiday Monday, the Marquee will be hosted by the iconic voices of Radio 4's continuity announcers. BBC Radio Wales will also present special programmes for book lovers, including Aberystwyth Book Club and Radio Wales Arts Show. Lucy Owen talks with famous names about the books they loved as a child in Books that Made Me. Plus, Jonathan Thomas discusses the Bible as literature with panellists Tom Holland, Dr Mark Clavier, and Dr Belle Tindall in All Things Considered. Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech & Controller, Radio 4 & Radio 4 Extra, says: 'Both the Radio 4 and Hay audiences are driven by an insatiable desire for interesting ideas and people, so we're looking forward to bringing the BBC's very best radio and podcast offerings to the festival again this year. Some of our best new programming will sit alongside returning favourites. From the brand-new health podcast What's Up Docs? with Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken, the new Archers podcast with Emma Freud and Naomi Alderman's brilliant Human Intelligence series, to special editions of the Today Programme, Loose Ends and Lucy Worsley's hugely popular Ladykillers podcast there will be something for everyone. With our iconic Radio 4 continuity announcers acting as 'marquee hosts', this should be a terrific week with audiences being able to see their favourite programmes recorded live as well as discover new ones to enjoy.' Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch says, 'This year the BBC brings the best of Hay Festival to the world. With a fantastic line up of live recordings in our BBC Marquee, audiences can experience Hay Festival inspiration wherever they may be, free and open to all. Alongside Festival favourites from BBC Sounds, Radio 4, Radio 3 and Radio Wales, there are some exciting new shows to enjoy, mixing great British talent with major global names. Join us on site or from afar; everyone is welcome.' Notes to the editor Please note that Loose Ends and Unspeakable are ticketed events on the Discovery Stage. All other events are free and unticketed and taking place in the BBC Marquee. The full programme is available to view now at FK / RB2
