Latest news with #SwanseaCouncil
Business News Wales
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Opportunities to be Highlighted at Castle Square Project ‘Meet the Buyer' Event
Local businesses will soon have the chance to find out how they can potentially benefit from a major project to transform Swansea's Castle Square. Knights Brown – who Swansea Council has appointed as its main scheme contractor – is holding a Meet the Buyer event at the stadium from 9.30am to midday on Friday July 18. Organised in partnership with Business Wales, the event will highlight opportunities for work including stone masonry, paving, soft landscaping, groundworks, carpentry, waterproofing and handrails. Other work packages for the scheme include external lighting, drainage, steelwork, the introduction of a water feature, the installation of green roofs, copper cladding, metal deck flooring, reinforced concrete work, curtain walling and the introduction of an audio-visual screen and structure. Preparations have now started on site for the transformation, which is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2026. The revamped Castle Square will include an increase in the amount of greenery including new lawns, ornamental and biodiverse planting to provide an area with 40% green space. Two new pavilion buildings are planned for food, drink or retail businesses. A new water feature for interactive play will also feature, as well as a new giant TV screen above a bandstand-style facility, new outdoor seating areas and the retention of public use space. Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: 'We know local residents and local businesses want Castle Square to be greatly improved, so work will soon start there on a major new project that follows extensive consultation where feedback was taken on board. 'It's also important though that local businesses have the opportunity to benefit from construction work of this kind and that we keep as much spending as possible in the Swansea economy to support local jobs. 'That's why the Meet the Buyer event has been organised in partnership with Knights Brown and Business Wales as we look to raise awareness of the type of work packages being made available. 'The transformation of Castle Square is one part of a £1bn regeneration of the city centre that shows how committed we are to supporting businesses, creating jobs and attracting even more investment to Swansea in future.' Temporary fencing is in place around Castle Square to make the area safe. Hoardings are now being installed with images showing how the scheme will look once it's complete. During the work, pedestrians – including those with mobility challenges – will still be able to use the footways immediately outside the square, on Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Princess Way and Temple Street. Vehicle movement is unchanged, as are bus routes. The Caer Street taxi rank will remain in place for those enjoying nights out in neighbouring areas such as Wind Street. Supplier access will be maintained for businesses while the works are ongoing. Disability access to shops will be maintained and all businesses in the area will be trading as normal.
Business News Wales
14-07-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Housing Association Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Community-based housing association Caredig has celebrated its 50th anniversary with partners, staff, and tenants. The housing association manages nearly 3,000 homes across five authorities. It provides specialist housing and support services for people with mental ill-health, older people and those with a variety of other support needs, including those at risk of homelessness. Chief Executive Marcia Sinfield said: 'It was our pleasure to welcome to the event our partners from Welsh Government, councils, funders and developers who work together with us to make this all possible. The Leader of Swansea Council, Cllr Rob Stewart, cut our celebratory cake and we were delighted to welcome the Deputy Leader Cllr Andrea Lewis too.'
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh beach that's a top surfing spot with a campsite that's practically on the sand
Welsh beach that's a top surfing spot with a campsite that's practically on the sand nails that rare combo of wild coastal beauty and a properly managed campsite This beautiful beach often tops the awards for best beaches in the UK and worldwide. (Image: Swansea Council ) Is there anything better than the salty sea breeze in your hair, the sound of waves crashing in the distance, and the smell of a crackling campfire wafting through the evening air? Coastal camping in Wales is properly good for the soul, and it's no wonder more of us are pitching up for a slice of seaside serenity under the stars. While we have loads of cool camping spots, one scenic site in Wales is as close to the beach as you can get. Hill End in the Gower is a hugely popular coastal campsite located just behind dunes and a golden sweep of sand that The Sunday Times named one of the best 25 beaches in the world. The three miles of sandy beach and the famous Worm's Head see Rhossili Bay often top the awards of best beaches in the UK and worldwide. Rhossili Bay has gone mega-viral on TikTok recently and has previously been awarded the 2021 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award. The Independent even described it as "the supermodel of British beaches." It has also won accolades from UK Travel Writers and awards for being the best spot to have a picnic. From the nearby campsite, you can stroll down to the sands and explore Llangennith Burrows beach at the Western end of Rhossili Bay. This sandy, sprawling beach backs onto dreamy dunes, the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Article continues below You can't talk about surfing in Wales without mentioning Llangennith. If there is any kick back from that fabulous Atlantic swell hitting the southern shores of Wales, then Llangennith will have a decent breaking wave height. Llangennith sometimes reminds me of Gwithian beach in Cornwall, in that the paddle out can be a bit tough, especially if you're riding on a board that is over seven feet long, and if the winds get high, the waves can get big and messy. You can book beginner surf lessons from Llangennith Surf School. Their fully qualified British Surfing Association coaches and Great Britain lifeguard staff will give you a totally unique surfing experience on a beautiful stretch of beach. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here What's on the campsite One of the best places for coastal camping in the Gower Peninsular in Wales is near Llangennith beach (Image: Wales Online ) Hill End is a large campsite, with 240 pitches on 14 acres of mostly flat, grassy meadowland - perfect for pitching up near the coast. There are three different pitch types here, including Standard Pitch for a two-man tent or SWB camper-van, a large Pitch for family tents or LWB camper-vans and motor homes, and an electric hook-up pitch. You can book pitches online, and the website has the current prices and details. The main thing to know about Hill End? There are rules. Loads of them. All designed to keep the place calm, quiet and free of idiots. After years as a magnet for all-night mayhem, the campsite got a glow-up and rebranded as a coastal haven for civilised campers who actually enjoy sleeping. This is not the spot for lager-fuelled lads' weekends or thumping beach raves. It's mostly families, and if you can't keep the volume down, you'll be shown the gate. Music? Not allowed. At all. As the website eloquently puts it: 'We do not permit music to be played on the campsite at any time. If this is something you feel is essential for an enjoyable holiday, please book elsewhere.' Harsh? Not really. It's exactly the kind of policy most campsites need to avoid turning into festival-lite hellscapes. No one wants to be woken at 4 a.m. by someone's grim taste in music, especially when it's blaring from a tinny Bluetooth speaker by a day drinking grown-up who should know better. Surfers head for a sunset surf at Llangennith (Image: Wales Online ) And if you're part of a group of six or more adults? You'll need to phone ahead and politely explain why you're not a nightmare. Yes, an actual call. Presumably to confirm you're not planning to turn the dunes into Ibiza-on-Sea. Ammenties-wise, this campsite has a lot to offer, and its high standards certainly make it one of my favourite places to camp in South Wales. For a start, there are free hot showers, yes, free! None of that pay 50p-and-pray nonsense you get in lesser campsites. There are 10 indoor showers for men and 10 for women, some generously oversized, so you can comfortably scrub down with a small mucky child in tow. There are also plenty of loos, and coin-operated hair dryers are available. The campsite is right by the beach (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Wash basins are scattered evenly across the shower blocks, with hot and cold water at your disposal. No queue-induced rage required. Undercover wash-up stations with hot and cold water are also available for all your crusty pan needs, and additional cold-water-only ones are dotted around the camp fields for the brave or the impatient. There's a proper recreation field below the main site, ideal for ball games, running wild, or pretending you know how to play rounders. And for the younger crew, there's a children's playground where they can burn off sugar while you sip something stronger nearby. The site shop has your back, stocking groceries, local produce, and camping essentials, including camping gas and other 'oops-I-forgot' items. It's also an off-licence, because wine is a camping essential. Sunset at Llangennith. Dinosaur onesie optional. (Image: Portia Jones ) Phone charging facilities are also available at the campsite reception, so you won't have to worry about running out of juice. Eddy's is the campsite's crown jewel. A fully licensed café-bistro with takeaway and indoor dining, offering remarkable views over Rhossili Bay and Llangennith Burrows. Great for a full breakfast or a cheeky pint after a long beach day. If you fancy learning to surf on your camp trip, several independent surf schools operate from the main car park. Hill End nails that rare combo of wild coastal beauty and a properly managed campsite. It's got golden sands on its doorstep, epic surf just a stroll away, and a no-nonsense policy that keeps the vibe relaxed, not rowdy. Throw in clean showers, strict rules that get enforced (hallelujah), and a cracking café, and you've got one of the best camping spots in Wales, hands down. Article continues below For more information and booking visit the Hill End Website.
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Big differences in how Welsh councils are dealing with climate change revealed in report
Big differences in how Welsh councils are dealing with climate change revealed in report Some are making big strides towards a net zero future, says the report, while others less so Energy-saving homes under construction in Swansea (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) A new report has revealed stark differences in how Welsh councils are responding to the issue of climate change, with some making significant strides toward net zero, and others falling behind. The findings come from the Council Climate Action Scorecards 2025, which analysed every local authority in Wales between July, 2024, and March, 2025. Councils were assessed across a wide range of climate-related categories, including buildings and heating, transport, planning and land use, biodiversity, governance, and finance. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Swansea Council emerged as the best-performing authority in Wales, with a score of 48%. It was praised for its work on energy-efficient housing and investment in renewable technologies. Its 'Homes as Power Stations' programme, which uses solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage to cut household emissions, was highlighted as an example of real-world progress. Monmouthshire County Council came a close second with a score of 46%, with its best-performing category being waste reduction and food, scoring an impressive 93%. Article continues below The report is the work of Climate Emergency UK, an independent not-for-profit group that monitors and assesses how councils are acting on their climate promises. The organisation was set up to push for greater transparency and accountability in local climate action, using over 90 questions to evaluate how councils were progressing on cutting emissions, implementing sustainable transport, retrofitting homes, and involving local communities in the climate conversation. The capital city, Cardiff, scored an overall 42%, with its strongest-performing category also being waste reduction, at 72%. Cardiff Council is actively working towards becoming a net-zero city by 2030, focusing on reducing carbon emissions from both its operations and the wider city. The council's 'One Planet Cardiff' strategy, launched in 2020, outlines a vision for a carbon-neutral future and includes specific targets for the council to achieve carbon neutrality in its activities by 2030. At the other end of the table, Merthyr Tydfil was the worst-performing council in Wales, scoring just 23%. The report found limited evidence of serious climate action across most categories, with major gaps in transport, housing retrofit, and public involvement. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council was the second-lowest performer, with an overall score of 29%. Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot both received a score of just 5% in the transport category — the lowest in Wales. The report said this reflected limited publicly available information on current strategies to reduce transport emissions. It added that this might be due to a focus on other priority areas or the early stages of planning for longer-term transport improvements. While both councils had made progress in certain aspects of their climate work, the low score suggested that further development in active travel infrastructure, public transport planning, and low-emission transport initiatives could help strengthen their overall approach in future assessments, said the report. Wales as a whole averaged 36% across all councils, slightly lower than the average scores in England and Scotland. The report concluded that while a few councils were showing leadership, many were still struggling to turn their climate declarations into meaningful progress. Climate Emergency UK said stronger government support, clearer targets, and increased public pressure were all needed if councils were to meet their commitments and help Wales transition to a greener future. Article continues below
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
Key city road partially closed after sinkhole appears
A major traffic route in Swansea has been partially closed after a sinkhole appeared in the road. Highways officers closed a lane at Oystermouth Road on Sunday afternoon and it currently remains closed while repairs are carried out. In a statement Swansea council said it had been alerted to the sinkhole which developed on the eastbound carriageway directly outside Swansea prison. A temporary closure is in place for one lane and it is causing some tailbacks while motorists are advised to use alternative routes. READ MORE: Armed police called as man rushed to hospital after attack READ MORE: Concerns over building firm hired to work on beloved Welsh attraction Delays are expected around the area anyway on Sunday as a result of the ongoing Ironman triathlon event which has shut a number of roads between Maritime Quarter and the Mumbles. You can see those closures here. There is also some disruption at the Gower with road closures and one-way systems in place until around 6pm on Sunday. You can see Ironman updates including any traffic difficulties in the area here. Some reckoned the sizeable hole outside the prison could be from escapees from the jail. Karen Cheval said: "The tune to The Great Escape immediately came to mind." Renee Cullen added: "Glad it's not just me who immediately thought this could be the result of inmates digging themselves out." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
