Transport news

A red Vauxhall Astra was abandoned at the scene as police hunt a ‘white man’

A hit-and-run has left several people injured in a Nottinghamshire town centre, leaving police on the hunt for a fleeing suspect. The incident happened in Market Place, Arnold at 1.12am today (May 9).

According to police, the crime involved a red Vauxhall Astra with several people being hit by the vehicle, one of the victims sustaining life-threatening injuries. NottinghamshireLive reports the car was abandoned at the scene following the incident, with the driver fleeing on foot.

Police believe the suspect is a white man and are currently on the hunt for him. As well as a huge cordon in place, Market Place and the junctions from Gedling Road to Derby Street, Hallam’s Lane and Central Avenue are closed off.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area where the car, which is visibly damaged, can be seen within the cordon opposite Hallam’s Lane car park.

Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “There is no indication at this stage of any ongoing threat to the wider public. However, we understand the incident will cause concern in the community.

“Officers will remain at the scene today to carry out further inquiries, speak to local people and offer reassurance.

“It is also important anyone with information, or relevant dashcam, CCTV, doorbell or mobile phone footage, gets in touch without delay.”

Michael Payne, MP for Gelding, urged locals not to speculate on the incident.

He added: “I would urge everyone not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding this incident while this important police work continues.

“I have sought reassurances from Nottinghamshire Police regarding ongoing community safety in and around Arnold, and I will continue to liaise closely with police colleagues throughout the weekend. I know this will be upsetting and worrying news for many of us who call Arnold home.

“I will endeavour to keep the local community informed and updated as the investigation and police work progresses.”

Anyone who witnessed what happened or has any information relating to the incident is asked to share it with the police.

This can be shared to the police directly by calling 101, quoting incident 46 of May 9, 2026.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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‘Maybe it went up last week, maybe it’s been there for 10 years.’

Drivers have been sharing their ‘least helpful’ road signs, saying they often have no idea what to expect after seeing them. One driver took to Reddit to share a picture of the widely-used and very recognisable “road ahead closed” sign, which millions of us will be very used to seeing.

But they explained that a sign which appears on the face of it to be straightforward is anything but, because it “can be placed miles before your destination or turn-off, with no indication at all as to which road or where is closed off, it could not hinder you at all, but if you choose to follow the diversion you’d be taken well out of your way”. They concluded: “I’ve taken to just ignoring them and seeing what happens, most of the time I never even see the road that is meant to be closed.”

Another user agreed, saying: “I usually ignore and hope for the best if it’s not clear where the closure is. Sometimes works out, sometimes not.”

A third said: “I had one on my way home, I ignored it. Five miles later I got home after passing numerous ‘road closed ahead’ signs. The closure was further ahead.”

It prompted a flood of funny observations on other road signs that users have found by turns baffling, confusing or irrelevant. One said: “I’ll raise you ‘new road layout ahead’. Maybe it went up last week, maybe it’s been there for 10 years.”

Another said: “Near me there was a new road layout sign up for years. In fact it’s been up for that long, the road layout has changed again.”

Another sign suggested was the “signal priorities changed” sign, with one user saying: “There’s one near me that’s so old it’s peeling!” On a separate thread, a road user said of the same sign: “When does a ‘signal priorities changed’ sign become redundant? This one is approaching 21 years old (has been in place since 2003). After 21 years, the number of people who remember the previous priority must be very small. Indeed I might be the only one. What happens if they need to change the priority for a second time?”

According to UK traffic regulations, the ‘signal priorities changed’ sign should be in place for no longer than three months.

Another contender put forward for “least helpful” road sign was the one intended to show falling rocks. They said: “I mean [what] are you supposed to do with this information?”

In response, a cyclist said: “One time when I was cycling, I rode into a small rock in the road and punctured. I didn’t see it cos I was looking at the rock fall warning sign.”

The “road ahead closed” sign is used to provide warnings to oncoming traffic about the closure of a road for a variety of reasons, though it does not necessarily mean the road being driven on when you see the sign.

Other signs that have left drivers confused include the ‘blue and red cross’ sign ‘everyone should know’ and a large black and white road sign that left drivers saying they have ‘no idea what it means’.

Two people were hospitalised including one with critical injuries

A driver is critically injured after a pileup in Margam, Neath Port Talbot. An air ambulance was called to the four-vehicle crash scene at around 12.22pm on Wednesday in Margam Road.

A South Wales Police spokesman said the accident happened between Groswen Park and Rhanallt Street, adding: “The driver of a red Vauxhall sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital in a condition which has been described as critical but stable.

“The driver of a Citroen Picasso sustained less serious injuries which required hospital treatment.

“Officers are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision , or who saw the manner of driving of the vehicles involved, to make contact.

“Motorists and residents in the area are urged to check for relevant dashcam and doorbell footage.”

As we reported on Wednesday, Margam Road was closed and then partially blocked as a result of the collision.

You can contact South Wales Police by calling 101 and quoting reference number 2600140685.

A crash on the M4 is causing “long delays” in Neath Port Talbot as all traffic is held.

Traffic monitoring service Inrix stated at 3.26pm today (Friday, May 8) that lane two (of two) on the M4 westbound was closed due to an accident between J42 A483 (Swansea East / Briton Ferry) and J43 A465 (Llandarcy).

Four minutes later Inrix confirmed all traffic is being “temporarily held, with stationary traffic”, from J42 Swansea East to J43 Llandarcy.

Traffic Wales warned there are “long delays in the area” and advised drivers to “take care when passing”.

The M4 was also partially blocked westbound near J23 Magor, Monmouthshire, by an obstruction on the road.

We will have the latest in the live blog below.

A date has been confirmed for the operator to be brought into public ownership

Great Western Railway (GWR) train services will be nationalised on December 13, the UK Department for Transport has announced.

It will be the 11th rail operator with a government contract to be taken into public ownership.

The three remaining operators in private ownership will be Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, and East Midlands Railway, the Press Association reports.

GWR connects London Paddington to south Wales as well as serving south and southwest England. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “This is another significant moment for the government’s flagship public ownership programme and brings a simpler, more reliable network under Great British Railways a step closer.

“The government is delivering on its commitment to bring services back into public ownership and put passengers, not shareholders, at the heart of our railways.”

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A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “Officers from Gwent Police investigating a report of a road traffic collision in Aberthaw Road, Newport are appealing for witnesses.

“The collision reportedly involved a BMW car and a motorbike; the BMW is believed to have left the scene before police arrival.

“Two males, the driver and the pillion passenger of the motorbike, were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Specially trained officers will be allocated to support the families throughout the investigation.

“Anyone with information – including CCTV and dashcam footage – is asked to contact us quoting log reference 2600141467.

“Officers investigating the circumstances leading up to the collision would like to speak to anyone who was travelling along or residents who reside in Aberthaw Road and the surrounding areas to check their CCTV, between the hours of midnight – 1.40am on Thursday 7 May.

“An 18-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in police custody.”

The work is expected to last for a total of five days

A road in Bridgend county borough is set to be temporarily closed this month in order for works involving poles as well as cutting of trees to take place.

A public notice says Waun Bant Road in Kenfig Hill will be temporarily closed from its junction with Llwyn Helig for a distance of 1400m for a time in May 2026.

The work is expected to last for a total of five days and will be carried out in three sections.

To see all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol license applications and more in your area visit the Public Notice Portal HERE.

The order says: “It is anticipated the planned works will be undertaken between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm from May 18 to May 22.

“No person shall cause any vehicle to proceed along 1400m of Waun Bant Road from its junction with Llwyn Helig, to be completed in three sections as detailed: Section one – Llwyn Helig to Stormy Farm; Section two – Stormy Farm to East West Cottage; Section three – East West Cottage to M4 overbridge.

“The alternative route for vehicles is via Waun Bant Road, Commercial Street, High Street, Cefn Road, Rogers Lane, Tranch, Waun Bant Road, and vice versa.

“Access will be provided through the restriction for police, fire, and ambulance services responding to emergencies.

“Pedestrian access to all properties within the restriction will be maintained along defined routes throughout the period of the closure.”

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A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “Officers from Gwent Police investigating a report of a road traffic collision in Aberthaw Road, Newport are appealing for witnesses.

“The collision reportedly involved a BMW car and a motorbike; the BMW is believed to have left the scene before police arrival.

“Two males, the driver and the pillion passenger of the motorbike, were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Specially trained officers will be allocated to support the families throughout the investigation.

“Anyone with information – including CCTV and dashcam footage – is asked to contact us quoting log reference 2600141467.

“Officers investigating the circumstances leading up to the collision would like to speak to anyone who was travelling along or residents who reside in Aberthaw Road and the surrounding areas to check their CCTV, between the hours of midnight – 1.40am on Thursday 7 May.

“An 18-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in police custody.”

It will allow for bridge inspection works to be carried out by Network Rail

A temporary road closure is planned for a Neath Port Talbot road while Network Rail carry out bridge inspection works.

A public notice says Church Street near Briton Ferry will be closed from the junction of Railway Terrace on May 18, 2026, while this work is carried out.

The closure is anticipated to last for a period of one night with traffic signs put in place to inform members of the public.

To see all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol license applications and more in your area visit the Public Notice Portal HERE.

The notice says: “The order is necessary to enable Network Rail to carry out bridge inspection works in the road.

“The order will come into force on May 18, 2026, and shall continue in force for a maximum duration of 18 months or until the works are completed, whichever is the sooner, but it is anticipated the works will take one night to complete.

“Church Street will be closed from the junction of Railway Terrace in a westerly direction for a distance of approximately 30m along its length.” Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter.

It added that the alternative route for vehicular traffic will be via the unaffected section of Church Street, Regent Street West, Regent Street East, the A474 Neath Road, and Villiers Street.

Access for pedestrians and emergency vehicles will be maintained.

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.