Transport news

A section of the A40 in Carmarthenshire was shut in both directions following a crash.

The collision happened outside Llandovery heading east towards Trecastle on Sunday lunchtime. Emergency services were called to the scene and the road was closed off in both directions.

Reports suggested that an air ambulance landed near the location of the crash, but Wales Air Ambulance has not confirmed this. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here.

Traffic monitoring service Inrix said early on Sunday afternoon: “A40 in both directions closed, queueing traffic due to accident from Llandovery (Llandovery) to Halfway (Halfway).”

The road reopened at around 1.40pm.

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Police said they are looking for witnesses

A 67-year-old man has tragically died after a crash in North Wales. North Wales Police were called alongside paramedics to a crash between a motorcycle and a car on the B4413 in Mynytho, Gwynedd on Saturday afternoon.

Despite their efforts, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say their investigation is ongoing and the man’s family is being supported by specially trained officers.

North Wales Police has launched an appeal for information. They are looking for any witnesses that have not yet spoken to the force to come forward, as well as anyone with dashcam footage of the vehicles involved prior to the crash. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “A 67-year-old man has sadly died following a collision in Mynytho on April 25.

“Officers were called to reports of a collision involving a red VW Polo and a black Yamaha motorcycle on the B4413 at around 3pm.

“Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the rider of the motorcycle sadly died at the scene.

“The man’s family and coroner have been informed.”

Serious Collision Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Liam Morris added: “I would like to thank members of the public who assisted at the scene following this incident.

“I am appealing to anybody who witnessed the collision and hasn’t already spoken with police to come forward.

“Additionally, anybody with dashcam footage that may have captured either of the vehicles involved prior to the collision should contact police.

“Anybody with information that could assist our investigations should contact us via our website or by calling 101, quoting reference 26000326787.”

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A car crashed into the awning of a caravan in Shropshire

An elderly man is in ‘critical condition’ after a horrific crash involving a teenage girl.

A 13-year-old girl and a 48-year-old man have been arrested after the car they were in crashed into the awning of a caravan.

The incident happened at a caravan park in Shropshire, the Mirror reports an 81-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman were injured following the crash at the Mile Bank Farm park.

West Mercia Police said a car collided with several fences and gates, and then crashed into the awning.

The incident occurred at about 10.45am on Saturday (April 25) and the 81-year-old man remains in hospital in a critical condition. Police said a 13-year-old girl and a 48-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and have been released on bail as inquiries continue.

Detectives are calling for any witnesses who were at the caravan park at the time to come forward.

PC Mark Hobden, from the serious collision investigation unit said: “We know there were a number of people in and around the caravan park at the time, and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or seen the vehicle involved beforehand.

“Even the smallest piece of information could help us build a clearer picture of the circumstances leading up to the incident.”

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Millions are heading out despite the huge extra cost this year

Drivers are being warned to expect the busiest early May bank holiday weekend on the roads in a decade. The RAC estimated that 19 million leisure trips will take place by car between Friday and Monday, only slightly behind the record 20 million forecast for the same period in 2016.

Some 39% of respondents to a survey of 2,218 UK drivers commissioned by the motoring services company last week said they intend to take to the road for a day trip or overnight break over the four days. This is despite the recent surge in fuel prices sparked by the conflict in the Middle East, which started on February 28.

Compared with a year ago, the cost of filling a typical 55-litre family car with petrol or diesel has increased by £13 and £27 respectively. Saturday is expected to have the heaviest leisure traffic, with more than four million journeys expected.

The RAC predicted that the worst traffic this weekend will be on Saturday from 10am to lunchtime, and highlighted the M5 from Bristol to Taunton as a likely congestion blackspot as many people head to Devon and Cornwall. It also warned that Friday will be “hectic” on the roads, when about 3.7 million drivers on getaway journeys compete for tarmac space with regular commuters.

Some three million leisure trips are planned for both Sunday and Monday, while a further five million people intend to take a trip some time between Friday and Monday but have not decided exactly when. Among the 61% of UK drivers not planning to make a leisure trip over the long weekend, just 6% said this was a direct result of the recent increase in the cost of petrol and diesel.

RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Sean Kimberlin said: “Even though fuel prices are uncomfortably high, it clearly takes a lot to stop drivers taking to the roads to make the most of a bank holiday weekend. The fact it’s set to be the busiest early May bank holiday in 10 years shows just how much we depend on our cars to get us wherever we want to go.”

Mr Kimberlin urged drivers planning getaway trips to ensure their vehicles are “up to the task” by carrying out checks on tyre pressure and tread, and levels of oil, coolant and screen wash. Meanwhile, Network Rail said the “vast majority” of Britain’s railway network will be open as usual over the long weekend, with “some notable exceptions” because of engineering work.

Liverpool Lime Street station will be closed all day on Sunday and until noon on Monday. The East Coast Main Line will be shut between York and Darlington for three days from Saturday. London’s Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed over the same period, with Cannon Street also shut on Sunday.

Other significant engineering works will affect services at the capital’s Euston station, Bath Spa, Huddersfield and Cambridgeshire’s Ely area. Anit Chandarana, a group director for Network Rail, said: ”There is no right way to do major work on our railway, but bank holidays are still among the least busy times for us in terms of passenger numbers and freight services.

“Those extra days with fewer travellers give us an opportunity to do longer projects that we couldn’t do in a normal two-day weekend or overnight. So while most of our railway is open as usual over the bank holidays this May, there are some major exceptions.

“I’d advise everyone to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

The RAC commissioned research company FindOutNow to survey 2,218 UK drivers about their bank holiday travel plans between April 22-23. It estimated getaway totals by extrapolating the results based on 34.5 million cars being licensed in the UK.

Most of the proposed stations are ‘not actually needed or wanted’, according to Reform’s leader in Wales, Dan Thomas, who would rather see the money spent on an M4 relief road

Reform’s leader in Wales has suggested the party would cancel some of the new train stations announced by the UK Government. Earlier this year Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised £14bn for seven new stations in Wales, including five between Cardiff and the Severn Tunnel Junction intended to ease congestion on the M4.

Stations at Llanwern, Newport West, Somerton, Magor / Undy, and Cardiff East are among the public transport improvements proposed as alternatives to the M4 relief road that was scrapped in 2019 by former Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford. The other two stations are planned for St Mellons (Cardiff Parkway) and for Deeside industrial park in north Wales.

But Reform UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas, who is a candidate in the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency, has now said most of the stations aren’t “needed or wanted” and that some of the £14bn should instead be used to revive the M4 relief road scheme. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

During the Welsh leaders’ debate on Channel 4 News ahead of next month’s Senedd election, Mr Thomas promised to build the relief road and upgrades to the A470 and A55 in North Wales. When Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan asked how Reform would pay for it, he replied: “Well, you’ve set aside £14bn for building seven train stations.

“Most of those are not actually needed or wanted. We could easily divert money from that scheme to building the road. The money is there if the political will is there to build it.”

Asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service if Reform was committed to building the stations, Mr Thomas did not answer directly and simply said: “Reform is the only party with a credible plan to build the M4 relief road, which will ease congestion and boost our economy.”

Monmouthshire Council had successfully lobbied for the station for the community of Magor and Undy. But earlier this year its deputy leader Paul Griffiths (Labour) voiced concerns that the Senedd election could affect the scheme.

Mr Griffiths warned: “There are politicians lining up at the next Senedd election, from a whole variety of parties, to undo that vision and to re-direct the investment back into mile upon mile of six-lane motorways around south Wales.

“If that happens we will be putting at risk the specific achievement of the [Magor and Undy station] but at risk also that whole vision of a metro across South East Wales. The stakes are high.”

Labour’s Casnewydd Islwyn candidate Jayne Bryant said it would not be as simple as diverting money to a relief road, adding: “That is money from the UK Government and I haven’t seen any evidence that could be used for a road… Some of that [investment] is not devolved.”

Ms Morgan has ruled out diverting any of the £14bn, despite Labour’s Newport Council leader Dimitri Batrouni recently stating “some sort of a relief road” would be required as well as public transport improvements.

The Green Party and Liberal Democrats have no plans for a relief road. The Conservatives have promised to build one. And the issue recently gained fresh impetus when Plaid Cymru said it would examine the case for a new road to relieve M4 congestion at Newport.

Plaid’s Sir Fynwy Torfaen candidate Matthew Jones disputed the new stations were being put at risk. He said: “Framing this as a choice between new rail stations and tackling congestion on the M4 is a false argument.

“Plaid Cymru wants to see progress on new stations such as Magor and Undy or improvements at Severn Tunnel Junction, and we also want a credible plan to address congestion around Newport. A modern transport network requires both.”

Under the current plans, construction work is not expected to start on the first stations until 2028.

Jo Stevens, the UK Labour Government’s Welsh secretary and MP for Cardiff East, said: “Both Reform and Plaid Cymru want to rip up a transformational £14bn plan that would bring better connectivity, economic growth, and up to 12,000 jobs to Wales. It speaks to just how unambitious they are for Wales’s future.”

A “traffic problem” has blocked part of the M4 in Neath Port Talbot. The road is affected westbound at junction 43, Llandarcy.

The incident happened at around 5pm and traffic is building. Traffic maps show slow moving queues from Cwmrhydyceirw to Port Talbot.

Live updates to follow below.

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His family said he was a ‘much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend to many’

A 21-year-old man who died following a crash between a bike and a car in south Wales has been described as a loved son and grandson. Brandon Tatchell died in the collision between the bike and the car at Maesteg town centre on Saturday, April 25.

The crash happened at 12.04am at the junction of Llynfi Road and Upper Street according to South Wales Police. In a tribute to Mr Tatchell released through South Wales Police on Wednesday his family said he was a “much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend to many”.

“Brandon’s fun-loving demeanour will truly be missed by everyone,” they said. “Anyone who knew Brandon will know that if someone needed help or guidance he would always try his upmost to help in whichever way he could.

“Brandon was a hard-working young man who loved to be at work, and everyone was proud of Brandon for advancing himself through the company. Brandon had many friends and family who would tell you he is a character and made them smile often.”

Mr Tatchell was from Cymmer in the Rhondda Valley. South Wales Police is continuing to investigate the incident.

A spokesperson for the force previously said: “We were called at 12.05am am on Saturday, April 25, to reports of a collision involving a car and a bike on the junction of Llynfi Road and Upper Street in Maesteg.

“As a result of the collision a 21-year-old man from Cymmer has died. Investigations into the collision are ongoing.”

A fundraising page set up for Mr Tatchell’s family has raised nearly £3,000. It reads: “We are heartbroken to share the sudden loss of Brandon-Lee Tatchell who tragically passed away in an accident. Brandon was a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, great-grandson and friend.

“This devastating loss has left family and loved ones facing not only emotional pain but also the unexpected burden of funeral costs. During this incredibly difficult time we are asking for any support you can give to help ease this financial strain.”