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News

Clean up follows train derailment, as police rule out foul play

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NATURAL RESOURCES WALES have been dealing with the diesel spilled as a result of the train derailment and fire in Carmarthenshire.

The work comes as British Transport Police said they did not suspect that criminality is a reason for the incident.

Ten wagons, each containing 75 tonnes of diesel, derailed and spilled oil into the Loughor Estuary near Llanelli in Carmarthenshire on Wednesday night (Aug 26).

The cargo train was travelling from an oil terminal in Milford Haven to Reading.

Undamaged wagons were being removed today (Photo D Harries/Herald)

STATEMENT FROM NRW

Work is continuing to recover the diesel from the derailed wagons and the spilled diesel. Trenches have been dug to intercept the diesel and vacuuming and skimming operations are taking place.

Monitoring of local watercourses continues, with booms and absorbent pads being used and regularly replaced to contain as much of the diesel as possible. These techniques are proved to be working well and are removing a considerable quantity of diesel from the water courses.

Network Rail is arranging for a crane to be delivered to the site on Monday evening (31 August) to start removing the wagons from Tuesday (1 September).

Monitoring teams continue to carry out daily surveys around the Loughor Estuary, including around the local fisheries and bathing water sites.

Please report sightings of oil pollution around the estuary to us by calling 03000 65 3000. If you come across any contaminated birds or animals, call RSPCA Cymru on 0300 1234 999.

Diesel is no longer confined to the upper reaches of the estuary (around the Loughor Bridge and upstream) and has been observed at many locations as far as Crofty.

The map shows the observed presence of diesel in the Loughor Estuary on 29 August 2020. The estuary is a very dynamic system influenced constantly by tide and wind, and will influence the movement of the diesel.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has also undertaken aerial surveys to aid the monitoring of the pollution.

The Environment Group set up in response to the incident will support and advise the response units on the identification and priorities for clean-up in the wider estuary.

Steps are being taken to prevent diesel entering waterways (Pic NRW)

CRIMINALITY NOT SUSPECTED

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Langley from British Transport Police said: “Thanks to the efforts of our officers and our colleagues from across the emergency services in making the scene safe at Llangennech, we have been able to conduct an initial investigation into this incident.

“Our initial findings are that the derailment is not believed to have been caused by criminal activity.

“We are therefore handing primacy of the scene to the Office of Rail and Road so that it can carry out its own specialist investigation.

“I would like to once again thank our officers for their efforts during this challenging incident, and I am grateful to all of our partners for their help and support in ensuring the safety of the local community.”

Ten carriages derailed, each containing 75,000 litres of diesel fuel. Three caught fire (Pic D Harries/Herald)

This map from Natural Resources Wales shows the extent of the pollution from the accident (Source: NRW handout)

FROM OUR PHOTOGRAPHER, DARREN HARRIES

On Sunday (Aug 30), we visited parts of the Loughor estuary to find the strong smell of fuel in the air and oil slicks in the rock pools and rivers, from the train incident further up the estuary in Llangennech.
The area around the bridges and car park by Loughor Boating Club and Loughor Inshore Rescue, and surrounding area smells so bad,
‘We had to leave from feeling ill and getting a headache from the diesel fumes.
This may have been down to the wind direction, but it was unpleasant and something to be aware of if visiting the area.
We also noticed that Swansea Council has acted quickly and placed information signs around the area of ‘Notice Of Temporary Closure Of Production Area, signs had be dated on the 27th August.
But a fishermen did attempt to fish, the fuel filled river, but he found it impossible as his line and tackle, including his rod were covered from diesel.
We did not see any information signs on Llanelli side, so it may have been the case of the angler not being aware of the hazard in the estuary, despite the overwhelming smell.
From visiting Llangennech the day after the train wreck and seeing the area of the derailment, I could smell the diesel in the marsh and the river, as it entered the estuary.
Today’s visit to Llangennech, we seen Network Rail were back at work and an Oil Spill Response Company, turn up including a Specialist Security company.
Things are starting to happen.
We did see a post over Facebook, someone had taken a photo of a dead bird in the area, thought to be down to the spill.
Residents in Machynys and other parts of Llanelli can also smell the fumes.
The local cockle beds are closed, putting the cocklers and shellfish gathering on hold, along with fishermen.
The environmental impact on the estuary is not yet known, It’s doubtful that this diesel spill will have no good outcome for our wildlife and fish including the winter visiting birds that use the Loughor estuary and the Llanelli Wetlands.

Business

Roadchef installs EV charging points at Pont Abraham Services

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ROADCHEF has unveiled six new high-powered 360kW electric vehicle chargers at its Pont Abraham site on the M4 at junction 49.

These latest additions feature 360kW charging capability and CCS connectors, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles. With a charge rate of up to 360kW, drivers can rapidly charge their vehicles, significantly reducing downtime during their journey.

In addition to the charging facilities, visitors to Pont Abraham Services can take advantage of a range of amenities, including 2 hours free parking, free Wi-Fi and a selection of shopping and dining options, making their charging experience both quick and convenient.

A recent report from the UK Parliament’s public accounts committee highlights the disparities in provision of EV charging infrastructure. Roadchef’s expansion at Pont Abraham directly addresses this issue by strengthening Wales’ charging network and adding to the 678 rapid and ultra-rapid charge points available across the country.

With the electric vehicle market continuing to grow, as highlighted by the SMMT, Roadchef’s continued investment in charging infrastructure is a crucial step in future-proofing Britain’s roads.

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Business

Family-run care home near Haverfordwest sold after 26 years

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PEMBROKESHIRE HOME TO CONTINUE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

A FAMILY-RUN residential care home near Haverfordwest has been sold after more than two decades of operation by the same family.

The Graylyns Residential Home, located in a rural setting just outside Haverfordwest, has been providing residential, dementia and respite care for up to 15 residents since it was established in 1998 by Graham and Lynne Jones.

The couple, along with their son Andrew, made the decision to sell as part of their retirement plans. The home was purchased by Lina Chirandura, an experienced care provider who already owns another care home and is expanding her portfolio in Wales.

The sale was handled by Oliver McCarthy of specialist business property adviser Christie & Co, with funding arranged through Gary Boyce at Christie Finance.

Former owner Lynne Jones said: “Graham and I have spent 26 wonderful years with our outstanding care teams, getting to know every person who has graced us with their time, memories and love. We set out to create a loving, caring and empathetic home-from-home—and I’m proud to say we achieved that.

“We have worked tirelessly over recent months to find the right person to take The Graylyns forward, and we truly believe Lina is the right choice. The home’s daily operations will remain unchanged—Andrew will continue as Manager, and all of our incredible care staff will stay in place. Most importantly, our residents and their families will continue to have their ‘forever home’.

“We are deeply grateful to all who have supported us over the last 26 years and look forward with excitement to what the future holds for The Graylyns under new ownership.”

Oliver McCarthy, Director – Care at Christie & Co, said: “I’m delighted to have completed the sale of this remarkable care home. Lina is an outstanding operator, and I have no doubt she’ll continue the exceptional standard of care the Jones family has provided. Demand for trading care homes remains strong in South Wales, and we expect this trend to continue.”

Gary Boyce, Director at Christie Finance, added: “Despite initial reluctance from mainstream lenders due to this being Lina’s first care home purchase and the smaller number of bedrooms, we were able to secure funding through our network of alternative lenders. Lina brings a wealth of experience from her background running adult and children’s care services, and we look forward to seeing her thrive at The Graylyns.”

The Graylyns Residential Home was sold for an undisclosed sum.


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Health

Big rise in ambient gamma radiation in Wales, but Milford Haven remains stable

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MILFORD HAVEN is among several sites in Wales where ambient gamma radiation levels remained stable, despite the country recording the highest overall rise in such readings across the United Kingdom.

New analysis by environmental company SunSkips, using data released by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, shows that Wales saw an average increase of 11.11% in ambient gamma radiation this January — the highest of any UK nation.

Ambient gamma radiation refers to the background level of gamma rays naturally present in the environment. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays but with higher energy. They originate from cosmic rays, naturally occurring radioactive materials in the soil, and gases such as radon. Human activity — including medical procedures, nuclear power, and certain industrial processes — can also contribute. While low levels of ambient radiation are expected and generally harmless, monitoring changes is important for assessing environmental safety and potential health risks.

While Milford Haven held steady at 0.12 µGy/h, several other Welsh sites recorded noticeable increases. Rhyl, in Denbighshire, experienced the sharpest rise at 11.11%, with radiation levels increasing from 0.09 µGy/h to 0.10 µGy/h. In Ceredigion, both Aberporth and Trawscoed saw increases of 9.09%, rising from 0.11 µGy/h to 0.12 µGy/h.

In contrast, St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan showed the biggest decrease across Wales, with a 9.09% drop — down from 0.11 µGy/h to 0.10 µGy/h.

Other locations with no change included Mumbles Head (Swansea), Aberdaron (Gwynedd), Lake Vyrnwy (Powys), and Valley (Anglesey).

LocationNormal (µGy/h)Jan 2025 (µGy/h)% Difference
Rhyl (Denbighshire)0.090.10+11.11
Aberporth (Ceredigion)0.110.12+9.09
Trawscoed (Ceredigion)0.110.12+9.09
Milford Haven (Pembrokeshire)0.120.120
Mumbles Head (Swansea)0.090.090
Aberdaron (Gwynedd)0.100.100
Lake Vyrnwy (Powys)0.120.120
Valley (Anglesey)0.090.090
St Athan (Vale of Glamorgan)0.110.10-9.09

Looking at the broader picture, Wales leads the UK in gamma radiation increases:

RegionHighest % Difference
Wales11.11
Northern Ireland10.55
Scotland9.18
England8.98


Mat Stewart, Managing Director at SunSkips, said there are many misconceptions about radiation levels and nuclear waste. He said that while some nuclear waste is long-lived, modern waste treatment and deep geological storage mean it can be safely managed without posing significant danger to the public.

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