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The M4 was partially blocked on Sunday morning

A crash blocked the M4 on Sunday morning.

• The M4 westbound was partially blocked on Sunday morning as emergency services dealt with a crash.
• Traffic monitoring systems showed slow-moving traffic on the M4 at Cardiff Gate around 8.30am
• It followed a collision between J30 (A4232 Pentwyn Link Road) and J32 (A470 Northern Avenue/Coryton Interchange).
• Images from the scene showed the fire service working to recover the vehicles involved in the crash.
• Traffic Wales urged motorists travelling on the M4 to allow extra time for their journeys due to the disruption.

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Motorists were advised to avoid the area

A main road was shut due to an overturned lorry. The crash happened at the Halton Roundabout in Chirk and led to the closure of the southbound carriageway of the A483 between the roundabout and Ruabon.

Traffic Wales said emergency services were at the scene, and told drivers to expect delays. They said there were also delays on the northbound carriageway, North Wales Live reported. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter

At 3.25pm, a North Wales Police spokesperson added: “The A5 at Junction one, Halton roundabout in Chirk is currently closed in the southbound direction due to an overturned wagon.

“Please avoid the area and use alternative routes whilst emergency services are in attendance.”

In an update at 5.20pm on Friday, Traffic Wales said: “Recovery will begin at 6.30pm, and the road will remain closed until the lorry has been recovered. Please use an alternative route and allow extra time for your journey.”

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The plans have sparked outrage in the local community

Plans to demolish a park and ride and replace it with a massive data centre have come under fire from local activists and Members of the Senedd (MSs).

Curtis Hall Limited has lodged plans with Cardiff Council to replace the Cardiff East Park and Ride in Llanrumney, which offers a free park and ride service to the University Hospital of Wales, with a data centre.

The application reads: “Data centres are an essential part of the national infrastructure, supporting cloud computing, AI, digital services and secure data storage.”

It continues: “The building types proposed for this site will reflect modern data centre design: resilient, energy-efficient, continuously operating, and highly secure.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

The plans have been met with opposition from Acorn, a tenants’ union with membership in the local area, who have set up a petition urging the plans to be thrown out.

Hannah Dahwa, 40, a local resident in the area, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The sort of headline concerns that are the most concerning about the data centre is the amount of energy and water that it will use and the impact it will have on local communities.”

She claimed the data centre would use the equivalent of 100,000 homes’ worth of electricity and roughly 1,800 homes’ worth of water.

Ben Hall, a director at Curtis Hall Limited, did not deny these figures but said they represent “the upper end of any potential impact, not a typical operating day”.

He continued: “In practice actual energy and water use would depend on the end user.

“The type of computing deployed (for example AI, hyperscale, or cloud workloads), the generation of chips used, and the cooling technology selected all have a significant bearing on both power draw and water consumption.”

Ms Dahwa claimed, as a result of the power needed for the data centres, household bills in the area could go up “quite substantially”.

But Mr Hall refuted this, saying: “We understand why energy costs are front of mind but this development would not raise local residents’ household bills.

“Household energy bills are set by energy suppliers and regulated by Ofgem and are not affected by an individual commercial connection of this kind. If anything locating major demand in south Wales — a net energy exporting region with a large pipeline of new renewable generation — helps support investment in the grid and in the clean power that benefits the wider system.”

She also raised concerns about the impact on noise levels and a reduction in air quality in the area due to the generators that could be used in the data centre.

In response Mr Hall pointed to assessments carried out during the planning process which determined air quality and noise levels would remain within acceptable levels.

Regarding the park and ride which would be replaced by the data centre she said: “[The data centre] would reduce staff being able to go to the hospital and patients being able to get to appointments.

“The concern is that this would reduce their wellbeing and health.”

On the same topic Dan Snipe, 29, an organiser for Acorn, said the park and ride was a “massive dependency for a lot of people for getting to and from Heath Hospital from Cardiff East” and said it was a “lifeline” for people in the areas of Llanrumney, Rummney, and Pentwyn.

He continued: “There’s a lot of people who heavily rely on this for essential use and, if it’s taken away, it’s going to be complete chaos for a lot of people’s lives.”

This point was echoed by Cai Parry-Jones MS, who represents Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf — the constituency the data centre would be built in if approved. He told the LDRS: “My constituents use the park and ride to get to Heath Hospital and it has become an essential part of access to healthcare for many people.

“I believe it’s wrong to take that access away from our residents and our communities, especially with so much new development in the city.”

In response Mr Hall said: “Cardiff Council brought the site forward for redevelopment due to the closure of the park and ride site due to its loss of funding and under-utilisation relative to the substantial cost of operating it.”

He continued: “We recognise that any change to current arrangements raises genuine concerns about access — particularly for disabled, elderly, and vulnerable patients — and about the people who work at the site.

“These are matters the health board is best placed to address as it brings forward alternative provision and we are committed to working constructively with the council, and with the health board, to deliver a long-term solution rather than the current temporary provision.

“The wider scheme also delivers new transport infrastructure — including a new bridge and link road between Pentwyn and Llanrumney with provision for pedestrians and cyclists — that improves connectivity across the area.”

The pair are also concerned about the damage the data centre would do to the green space next to the park and ride as well as the impact on the Rhymney Trail, a public right of way which runs through the site.

Ms Dahwa said: “Locally there’s obviously lots of protected species here — things like kingfishers, bats and otters.

“They would be dramatically affected.”

She claimed the data centre’s water use and the heat generated by the development would “effectively completely destroy all the wildlife in the area”.

Mr Hall told the LDRS: “We take the ecological impact of this site seriously and the proposals have been shaped throughout by detailed consultation with Natural Resources Wales, local ecologists, and specialist ecological consultants and informed a comprehensive package of habitat mitigation and compensation.

“The scheme is designed to retain the most valuable habitats and to deliver a net benefit for biodiversity overall.

“For protected species this includes a dedicated off-site dormouse habitat connected to retained woodland by three purpose-built dormouse bridges across the Rhymney River and supported by 50 nest boxes to further aid their habitat connectivity.”

In regard to the Rhymney Trail he said: “The trail will not be destroyed — on the contrary, the Rhymney Trail is retained and enhanced as part of the proposals. The riverside walk through the site will be kept and improved with better surfacing, clearer waymarking and signage, new amenity and seating points, with the whole site brought into active long-term management.”

They were concerned about flooding risk to the nearby homes, particularly in Ball Lane, during the construction period of the data centre.

Two other Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf MSs have also come out against the plans.

Zaynub Akbar and Nicker Carter told the LDRS: “We understand why local residents are concerned about the proposed data centre development in Llanrumney.”

They continued: “The site currently operates Cardiff East’s Park and Ride, which provides an important transport link to the University Hospital of Wales for both staff and patients and its loss would have a significant impact on many people who rely on it.

“There are also legitimate concerns about the environmental impact of the development including its potential demands on energy and water resources, air quality implications, and the impact of the proposed ‘temporary’ gas-fired power generation facility that may be used over a five-year period.

“We have written to Cardiff Council to relay the strength of feeling locally and the potential impact on both the community and the environment to ensure residents’ voices are fully considered as part of any decision moving forward.”

In regard to the gas-fired power generation Mr Hall said: “A temporary on-site energy centre would provide power only as a bridge until the permanent grid connection is in place, after which the development will be all-electric and gas-free. The facility’s carbon performance will continue to improve as the Welsh and UK grid decarbonises — a transition this project is intended to support, not work against.”

The plans are under consideration by Cardiff Council.

Officers continue to investigate the incident and have appealed for information

A “deeply caring” young man has died following a crash. Callum Hanson, 22, died in hospital on Wednesday, June 17 following the collision on the A4075 near Cross Hands, Pembrokeshire.

Callum’s family have paid tribute to him through a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police. They described Callum, from Haverfordwest, as a kind and loving person.

The statement reads: “Callum’s family wish to remember him as the kind, loving person he was, who lived his life to the fullest, despite his own personal challenges.

“He was a deeply caring person and spent the last month looking after his grandad, who sadly, also recently passed away. Callum has a passion for gaming and motorbikes and was training to be a mechanic in college.

“Callum will be remembered by his mum Joanne, dad Carl, sister Kacey, nan Heather, girlfriend Emily, and his wider family and friends. The family now ask for privacy during this difficult time.” Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police continue to appeal for anyone who was travelling on the A4075 between Canaston Bridge and Yerbeston around 6.15pm on Wednesday, June 17 to get in touch.

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The road remains closed as police investigation work continues

A man has died and a woman has been left seriously injured in a crash in Pembrokeshire on Wednesday.

Police and paramedics were called to a crash on the A4075 between Canaston Bridge and Yerbeston that occurred at around 6.20pm on Wednesday.

The crash involved a grey Kia Sorento and a white Yamaha motorcycle.

The 22-year-old male motorcyclist died at the scene.

A 22-year-old female passenger of the motorcycle was taken to hospital where she remains.

Police say the families have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

The driver of the Kia Sorento, a 60-year-old man, did not sustain injuries in the crash.

A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “The road remains closed for a collision investigation to take place and motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

“Investigating officers would like to speak to any motorists who were travelling along the A4075 at the relevant time or anyone who has dashcam in their vehicles.”

Anyone with information that could help officers can contact Dyfed-Powys Police by any of the usual means quoting reference 362 of June 17.

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A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued and drivers are told to remove certain items from their cars during the hot weather

Households are being urged to clear everyday belongings from parked vehicles as temperatures are predicted to hit 30C during the forthcoming days. Stationary cars can become dangerously hot rapidly, and any possessions left within will be exposed to extreme conditions.

Based on the most recent Met Office UK forecast, temperatures are set to rise progressively, with southern regions of England nearing 30C by Friday, subject to cloud coverage, and turning very warm more extensively throughout the weekend. Certain locations in the south and southeast of England are expected to meet heatwave thresholds by Saturday and more broadly on Sunday, with the likelihood of temperatures climbing to the low 30s in the hottest spots.

It states: “Headline maximum temperatures for the period are: 32C on Friday in East Anglia, 28C on Saturday as the warmest air temporarily shifts away from the UK, 32C in the south and southeast of England on Sunday and the potential for 33C in the same areas on Monday as warm conditions build again from the south.”

Deputy Chief Forecaster, Gregory Wolverson, said: “There is currently a 40% chance of exceeding the current UK June maximum temperature record of 35.6°C, set in 1957 and 1976. There is also a lower chance of exceeding the June maximum temperature record for Wales.”

Typical belongings that numerous people often store in door compartments, the boot, and glove boxes, comprise medications, aerosols, carbonated beverages, mobile phones, and battery-powered gadgets. Different belongings will diminish in effectiveness when stored at elevated temperatures, with medication being a key illustration.

Official guidance for warm weather warns that compact, confined spaces, such as stationary vehicles, can heat up rapidly. It also advises that infants, youngsters, older people, and animals should never be left alone in vehicles or other enclosed spaces, reports the Express.

A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been announced by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which indicates temperatures could result in consequences for the health and welfare of certain people. This includes the East Midlands, East of England, London and the southeast of England from Wednesday, June 17, and continues until Monday, June 22.

Heat-health warnings are typically announced in the UK from June to September, when elevated temperatures could affect public health. The motor retail group Dick Lovett has developed a checklist for households to implement in order to remove items ahead of a heatwave.

Why is it vital to remove medication from a hot vehicle?

Recognising the impact of heat on medication is essential for your well-being. If they become too warm, they may not function correctly, which can be extremely hazardous. Always store them in a cool location to ensure they remain effective, most require storage below 25C, or in a refrigerator.

A statement on the motoring organisation’s website states: “If they aren’t stored at the right temperature, medicine can lose its effectiveness, break down chemically, and even become dangerous. EpiPens, for example, can misfire or fail to deliver a full dose if exposed to heat. As such, always carry your medications with you, ideally in a small insulated pouch, and never leave them in a parked car.”

What items shouldn’t be left in your vehicle during warm weather?

Aerosol products, including deodorants, hairspray, and similar spray items, ought to be avoided as pressure can accumulate in elevated temperatures. Gadgets such as mobile phones and portable chargers containing lithium-ion batteries pose risks in excessive heat, as they can harm the batteries and increase the likelihood of fire should a battery fail.

Vaping devices and e-liquids must be stored away from heat and direct sunlight as rechargeable batteries and liquids can be compromised by elevated temperatures. Carbonated beverages can prove troublesome as heat can cause the contents to expand, resulting in cans or bottles bursting or spraying upon opening.

Sun protection cream is equally vulnerable to heat; extended exposure can change its composition and cause leakage, meaning people might not receive the protection they require. During food shopping, particularly for refrigerated or perishable goods, it’s crucial to remember that warm vehicles can rapidly elevate food to dangerous temperatures.

The ‘Service Station King’ has visited all 97 UK motorway services and shares what makes the best UK service stations stand out from the rest

A 28-year-old has appointed himself the ‘Service Station King’, having spent over a decade traversing the nation’s motorways — and there’s a valuable lesson to be taken away.

Rich Cross has visited all 97 service stations across the country, making his journeys in a two-door Smart car. While he maintains it’s impossible to single out a favourite, he has a wealth of guidance to offer, having witnessed how these stops have evolved over the years.

Speaking to SMC Coach Hire, he outlined the biggest warning signs to look out for, while also detailing what he considers the finest options for those planning a road trip in the near future.

His thorough research places Gloucester, Tebay, Beaconsfield, Rugby and Cairn Lodge among the UK’s top service stations, while the worst tend to share a handful of recurring shortcomings. He highlights potholes as an immediate deterrent, even for the most regular visitors, alongside poorly maintained facilities.

Cross says: “If the toilets are a mess, that’s a big red flag. The condition of the road through the site is a big thing for me. It’s a big topic especially for the lorry drivers, who are the most regular customers. Things like pot holes are a big problem.”

In his view, there are certain essential features every service station ought to provide in order to accommodate a variety of customers. He argues that “the more brands you have in the building, the better”, and champions EV chargers as an absolute necessity, along with one particular style of entrance.

Ease of access is paramount, and there are two categories of entrances at service stations, referred to as ‘online’ and ‘offline’ sites. Online sites, he explains, are those situated directly on the motorway, accessible via a slip road, while offline sites require drivers to exit at a junction and travel further to reach them.

“Online sites are preferred because you don’t have to faff around as much,” he states. It is these qualities that form his definitive list of favourite service stations, and the most iconic amongst the British public, he believes, is Lancaster Services on the M6.

Cross explains: “It’s got the Pennine Tower that towers above the site. That’s usually one that crops up in conversation quite frequently. Back in the day it used to have a restaurant at the top there with views of Lancashire but unfortunately that’s closed now.”

And the rule most people don’t know about? How long you can stay.

Cross explains: “Cross explains: “There are rules about how long you can stay as you’ve got limited parking. Most sites are three hours. Most people spend between half an hour and an hour there, which gives them time to use the facilities and get some food. But some people are in and out in five minutes. There are now drive-thrus at some sites, so that has changed things over the last few years. But there are no social rules around it, it’s just whatever the parking limit is.”

Stations he regards as “quirky” include those featuring bridges where visitors can sit overlooking the motorway while eating. These include Charnock Richard (M6), Keele (M6) and Leicester Forest East (M1); meanwhile, newer sites are attempting to integrate the surrounding environment into their design, incorporating walking paths throughout the grounds.

Returning to his personal favourites, the service station aficionado reveals what sets them apart. He explains: “Gloucester, Tebay and Cairn Lodge are all run by the same company, so they all have the same style. They have a farm-shop style, with a different and alternative setup.

“That’s why they always rate highly. They offer locally sourced produce, and everything is made freshly on the day.”

These days, however, many of the leading service stations are exceptionally well-designed, with considerable emphasis placed on green spaces — Rugby being amongst the most recent additions. Meanwhile, Beaconsfield has earned affection for featuring 15 different brands.

According to Cross, it’s also the first stop motorists encounter on the M40 when leaving London, making it a natural choice for travellers either heading into or departing from the capital.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch made a total of nine recommendations

An investigation into the first fatal head-on train collision to cause a person’s death in the UK in 25 years has criticised Transport for Wales’ processes and training. The report found that the Welsh Government owned transport authority TfW did not effectively prepare its train drivers to deal with emergency situations like the fatal collision in Mid Wales on October 21, 2024.

The driver did not deploy an emergency sanding system that could have prevented the crash or weakened the impact.

It also found that an automatic system to deploy sand did not function as it had blocked pipes and an electrical fault, and said that TfW did not have sufficiently effective processes to ensure it would work. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) made a total of nine recommendations directed at Transport for Wales, Network Rail, the Rail Safety and Standards Board, and Angel Trains – the company that owns and leases out the trains.

Passenger David Tudor Evans, 66, died in the collision between two trains in Talerddig, Powys, while a further four people received serious injuries and 23 suffered minor injuries.

Among the report’s recommendations was to look at train cabin design. It found that Mr Evans died after colliding with a table. Other passengers found one of their exit routes blocked by a jammed door. And emergency services found it difficult to gain access because of open cupboard doors.

The incident happened on a rural section of the Cambrian line, which is predominantly single track with loops to allow trains travelling in opposite directions to pass each other.

Despite braking, a westbound TfW train failed to stop as intended inside a loop and rejoined the single line too soon, crashing into an oncoming train run by the same operator.

The RAIB report said this happened because the westbound train’s wheels were sliding, which can be a particular issue in autumn when fallen leaves make tracks slippery.

The class 158 trains involved in the crash have two systems – one automatic and one manual – to dispense sand between wheels and rails when extra grip is needed.

The RAIB revealed in an interim report in April last year that the westbound train’s automatic system did not work in the moments before the crash because of several failures, including blocked hoses, electrical faults and incorrectly installed plates measuring the flow rate of sand.

In its full report published on Thursday the RAIB states that the driver did not deploy the manual emergency sanding system, which is done by pressing a yellow plunger in the cab. The system discharged sand as expected when tested after the crash.

If the driver operated emergency sander was deployed early enough, a collision could have been avoided, the report says.

However, the driver did not recall any training on the use of emergency sanders, even though records showed his training was up to date. He had not previously needed to use them while driving.

The driver stated that it had not occurred to them to use the emergency sanders on the day of the accident. They recalled thinking that the adhesion conditions would improve – an expectation based on previous experience which had resulted in successful outcomes.

The report found that TfW’s training and competency management did not effectively prepare the westbound driver to take the correct actions.

Following the incident the RAIB conducted a survey of other train drivers employed by TfW to understand how well they understood the use of the emergency sanding system. The results of this survey revealed a “lack of clarity by drivers about the circumstances that required its use”.

A further “possible underlying factor” relating to the severity of the crash was Network Rail’s “lack of a detailed understanding of the effectiveness of wheel-rail adhesion modifiers”.

While another “probable underlying factor” was that TfW had an “incomplete understanding” of the signalling system used on the Cambrian lines and its drivers’ interactions with it.

The westbound train travelled approximately 1,080m (0.7 miles) beyond its intended stopping position before the collision.

It was moving at about 24mph when the crash happened, while the other train was travelling at about 6mph. Mr Tudor Evans was a passenger on the westbound train.

Three other people on the train – including the guard – were seriously injured, while at least 18 suffered minor injuries. Damage to the cab of the eastbound train trapped the driver, who was also seriously injured. The other five people on board that train reported minor injuries.

The recommendations aim to reduce the likelihood of similar events, and include urging TfW to review how drivers are trained.

A joint statement for TfW and Network Rail reads: “Safety remains our highest priority for both our customers and colleagues.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the family and loved ones of David Tudor Evans and those passengers injured in the incident, and we continue to support our colleagues who were injured or affected.

“Network Rail and Transport for Wales welcome the publication of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s final report into this incident and have cooperated fully with the investigation throughout.

“While incidents of this nature are extremely rare on our rail network, we remain committed to working together as an industry to carefully consider the report’s recommendations to help prevent a similar incident in the future.”

Andrew Hall, the RAIB’s chief inspector of rail accidents, described the Talerddig crash as “a tragedy”.

He said: “Widely varying levels of grip between steel wheels and steel rails is an inherent issue for railways and a lot of effort goes into managing this and its possible consequences.

“That can involve the way track and the surrounding area is maintained, the way trains and signalling systems are designed, and the way trains are operated and maintained.

“The Talerddig investigation found factors associated with several of these areas, and related to the way different parts of the overall railway system interacted.”

He added: “I sincerely hope the lessons of this accident deliver lasting safety improvements.”

Dave Calfe, general secretary at train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of David Tudor Evans, who tragically lost his life that day, and with those who were injured, including our member.

“We welcome the recommendations in the report and will assist their implementation to ensure incidents like this become even rarer on Wales’s railway.”

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