Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Wed, August 14) (2024)

M4 bridge to close for emergency repairs

The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge is to be closed for emergency works between midnight and the early hours of the morning. Traffic Wales says to use the M48 bridge as a diversion.

Stop-start traffic in Brynglas Tunnels

There is stop-start traffic on the M4 Brynglas Tunnels westbound with a travel time of 65 minutes.

New report published as Wales tries to learn from one of the great tragedies of the Covid pandemic

More than four years after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic Wales is still learning essential lessons about how the virus spread. A new report has concluded that old hospitals in Wales made it harder to isolate patients and the strain on staff made it difficult to communicate with families.

Read more here.

Farmer caught running illegal puppy factory breeding labradoodles, French bulldogs and labradors

A farmer was running an unlicensed puppy breeding business and selling litters online, a court has heard. An investigation by the local council showed he was advertising pups on popular websites including Pets4homes, Gumtree, and Freeads using nine different accounts, some of which were not registered in his name.

Read more here.

Legend of Wales' drag scene dies

A legend of Cardiff's drag and LGBTQ+ scene has died at the age of 58. Mark Venn, known better to many as Marcia Bassey-Jones, was one of the very first drag queens in Cardiff and widely regarded as the first in the city to cross between the underground scene to mainstream drag, introducing it to a whole new audience. Read more here.

Plans submitted for new public square and splash pad on former Debenhams site in Cardiff

Plans for a new public square in Cardiff city centre have been submitted. The new square on St David's Way would be located on the site of the former Debenhams store which is currently being demolished.

Read more here.

Police concerned for welfare of missing teen

Police are concerned for the welfare of a 15-year-old boy from Newport who has been missing for two days. Gwent Police are appealing to find Alfie Parker, who was last seen at around 3pm in Redland Street in the city on Monday, August 12.

Read more here.

Traffic updates

Here are the latest updates from traffic monitoring service Inrix showing where there is congestion:

• A40, Haverfordwest: Queueing traffic due to Pembrokeshire County Show on A40 in both directions at Withybush Road (Withybush Roundabout). Congestion to Bridgend Square Roundabout and Scotchwell Roundabout tailing back past Haverfordwest Golf Club.
• A55, Gwynedd: Queueing traffic on A55 Britannia Bridge Westbound after J9 A487 (Y Felinheli / Port Dinorwic). Travel time is five minutes.
• A55, Isle of Anglesey: Slow traffic on A55 Britannia Bridge Eastbound around J8A A5 Holyhead Road (Llanfair P.G).
• A4067, Swansea: Slow traffic on A4067 Oystermouth Road in both directions at West Way (Tesco Traffic Lights).

Huw Edwards stripped of role at historic synagogue

Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been stripped of his ambassadorial role at an historic Jewish synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil. It is the latest honour Edwards has lost since he pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.

School pupil dies in summer holidays tragedy

A school is open today and tomorrow during the summer holidays after the sudden death of a pupil. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Rhydywaum will be open on August 14 and 15 to offer support to staff and pupils.

Read more here.

Woman who fell from pier says she 'can't show her face' after court ruling

Kirsty Williams-Henry, who suffered brain damage after falling from Aberavon pier in July 2018, has shared how she feels she "can't show her face" following a judge's dismissal of her claims and labelling her a "regular liar."

Read more here.

Five people and dog escaped from a tent destroyed in fire

Five people and a dog all escaped from a tent in west Wales which was totally destroyed when it was ravaged by fire. The blaze broke out in a trailer tent in the Cross Inn area of Ceredigion.

Read more here.

One of the UK's most beautiful beaches could be closed to the public

Reports that a beautiful Welsh beach could be closed to the public due to overwhelming tourist numbers has sparked a debate. Nestled on the Llyn Peninsula's north-western side in Gwynedd, Porth Iago is often cited as one of the most scenic coastal spots in the UK.

Read more here.

Slow traffic on A473 in Rhondda Cynon Taf

There is the usual slow traffic on the A473 Tonteg Road between B4595 (Tonteg) and A470 (Upper Boat Interchange), according to traffic monitoring service Inrix. Travel time is ten minutes.

H from Steps wows judges and viewers in Celebrity MasterChef debut

Welsh singer Ian 'H' Watkins has impressed the judges and viewers in the first episode of this year's Celebrity Masterchef. The performer, who has been a member of British pop band Steps for 25 years, was one of the first celebrities to compete in the 19th series of the BBC celebrity cooking programme.

Read more here.

Boy in hospital after being 'dragged like rag doll' in XL Bully attack

The family of an eight-year old-boy mauled by a dog have spoken out about the terrifying attack and the support received from their local community. The boy's grandmother, Ruth Jones, said the horrific incident took place when her grandson, Caio, was playing with friends outside in North Penrallt, Caernarfon, on Sunday, August 11.

Read more here.

Welsh primary school powered by natural thermal spring in UK first

A primary school in Wales is being heated by a natural thermal spring in a UK first. Ffynnon Taf Primary School in Taff's Well in Rhondda Cynon Taf is located near Wales' only thermal spring. On Tuesday, August 13, pupils got a chance to see how their school would now be heated. A county councillor described the green energy supply as the "way forward".

Read more here.

Met Office forecast for Wednesday

There will be plenty of sunshine today. Here is the full weather forecast for Wales today:

"Any cloud in eastern areas gradually clearing through the morning, then a fine and mostly sunny day to come across Wales. Feeling fairly warm but turning breezier on coasts later. Maximum temperature 23 °C."

And for tonight:

"A fine and sunny end to the day. Turning cloudier and windier overnight with rain possible in Gwynedd and Anglesey later, perhaps heavy across Eryri by the morning. Turning humid. Minimum temperature 11 °C."

Good morning

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