News

Fears bus network could drop by a quarter

Published

12 years ago

December 5, 2013

MANAGERS claim the Welsh bus network could reduce by a quarter in the next few months, with deprived and rural communities hardest hit.

Councils are already warning they have no money to rescue services which bus operators will halt if the Welsh Government goes ahead with a planned 37% cut in its payments for each passenger carried under the free travel scheme.

Swansea-based First Cymru, one of Wales’ biggest bus operators, said it would have to look at reducing its services by 25% to 30% if the Welsh Government decides to reduce the concessionary reimbursement from 73.59% of the average fare to just 46% from April 1.

The proposed cut follows a 25% drop in grants to bus operators and councils over the last two years, resulting in First Cymru reducing many services in the greater Swansea area.Stagecoach South Wales – the main operator in the deprived Heads of the Valleys region – said the company had applied the future 46% reimbursement rate to its costing model.

“The end result would be that we would be operating 25% less on commercial routes from the end of March than we are currently doing,” said managing director John Gould.

Commercial routes are ones which operate without subsidy, other than a long-standing partial rebate on fuel duty. Stagecoach also operates many services on behalf of councils, for prices which presumed continuation of the reimbursement rate which has always applied since the free travel scheme began in 2002.

“As far as tendered services go, that’s subject to us going to each local authority and negotiating with them,” said Mr Gould.

Legal challenges to the cut are likely, because the law requires the government to reimburse operators by an amount that leaves them no better or worse off than they would be if the scheme did not exist.

However, the Welsh Government did not mention the 37% cut to operators until October, more than six months after the bus industry asked to start negotiations over the scheme’s future. That now leaves too little time for legal challenges to be resolved before the deadline when bus companies must notify the Traffic Commissioner and local authorities of the service cuts they will make by 1 April.

A Welsh Government spokesman said:

“We are currently in negotiation with bus operators and local authorities on the terms for concessionary bus travel reimbursement for 2014-15. No decisions have yet been taken.”

First Cymru’s main services in south Pembrokeshire – linking Haverfordwest to Milford Haven and Tenby – are now in the firing line, because high proportions of the passengers are pensioners on free passes. This means the 37% cut in reimbursement would tip those services into the red.

“Many of the places that have a problem are going to be the more remote communities and more deprived communities,” said Justin Davies, managing director of First Cymru.

“That just seems weird to me. I wouldn’t have thought that’s what the Welsh Government wants.

“We will be handing back tendered services to local authorities, because when we bid we took the revenue risk. The pensioner will still be turning up at the side of the road but they will be worth a lot less in reimbursement. We will say to the local authorities, ‘We can’t do this any more’ but they’re already reducing services anyway.”

The Association of Transport Coordinating Officers Cymru, representing council officers, warned that town halls were unlikely to increase bus spending.

News

Control of £547m Local Growth Fund returns to Wales

Published

10 minutes ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONTROL of a £547m Local Growth Fund has been returned to the Welsh Government, with ministers setting out plans to use the money to boost the nation’s economy over the next three years.

During a visit to Ebbw Vale on Friday (Mar 20), First Minister Eluned Morgan is expected to outline details of a new Investment Plan, endorsed by both the Welsh and UK governments. The plan sets out how funding will be allocated across priority areas and within Wales’ four economic regions.

The fund will focus on three key areas: supporting productive and competitive businesses, improving skills and helping people into work, and investing in infrastructure.

Ministers say the programme is designed to empower regional decision-making while targeting areas with the greatest economic need. The aim is to increase productivity, support business growth and create better-paid jobs across Wales.

Funding will be distributed based on tailored regional plans, reflecting local strengths and opportunities, including sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

The First Minister, Eluned Morgan said: “I’m really pleased decisions on this post-EU funding, which is so important in supporting regional and local economic growth in Wales, are being returned to the Welsh Government.

“We want to use all the levers we have to stimulate economic growth, especially in parts of Wales where economic inactivity and unemployment are higher and wages are lower.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans added: “The Local Growth Fund for Wales will help create and secure jobs in key industries, providing exciting opportunities for people to develop high-quality, long-term careers.

“We will work with local government and other partners to ensure the fund is used effectively to create jobs, unlock growth and deliver for Wales.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said: “This transformational funding will create jobs, boost productivity and support economic growth across all parts of Wales.

“Decisions about how funding is used in Wales are best made in Wales, and this agreement delivers our commitment to return control of post-EU funding to Wales.

“It is another example of the UK and Welsh governments working together to deliver for our communities.”

News

Calls for further A477 safety improvements

Published

13 minutes ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ MS has renewed calls for urgent safety improvements along the A477, urging residents across south Pembrokeshire to share their experiences of the road.

The push follows ongoing concerns about accidents, near-misses and speeding on the busy route, particularly at Red Roses, Cosheston and through Milton.

Improvements at the Nash Fingerpost junction have already reduced collisions and improved traffic flow, with Kurtz now confirming further progress after discussions with the Welsh Government.

Safety works are set to be carried out at Red Roses junction, while a full review of speed limits through Milton village has also been agreed.

Despite this, Kurtz warned that several stretches of the A477 remain dangerous and require further attention.

He said: “The A477 is a lifeline for our communities and local economy, but too many sections remain unsafe. Red Roses is a clear example of a junction that may meet technical criteria on paper, yet in practice poses real dangers to motorists.

“These improvements build on the successful work at Nash Fingerpost, which shows that practical changes can make a real difference. But there is more to do, particularly at Cosheston and other high-risk points along the route.”

The MS is now calling on residents, commuters and businesses to help build the case for further action by submitting their experiences of using the road.

He added: “Community evidence matters. Your experiences will help push for stronger, comprehensive safety measures and ensure the Welsh Government acts quickly. Together, we can make the A477 safer.”

A short public survey has been launched, asking road users to report concerns including speeding, dangerous junctions, poor visibility and near-misses.

Health

New standards set to transform mental healthcare in Wales

Published

17 minutes ago

March 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Clear framework aims to deliver faster access, better support, and improved outcomes

PEOPLE across Wales are set to benefit from clearer and more consistent mental health care, as new national standards outlining what good services should look like are introduced.

Two new quality statements, published this week (Mar 24) set out the outcomes and expectations for NHS and social care services. They aim to ensure patients can access timely, compassionate, and effective support — including same-day, open access care and improved services for those who have self-harmed.

The measures form part of the Welsh Government’s wider Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy. Ministers say they are designed to move Wales towards becoming the first nation to offer same-day, open access mental health support nationwide.

Around 20 pilot schemes are already underway across Wales, offering support without the need for a GP referral. These “demonstrator sites” are intended to provide early help and reduce the number of people reaching crisis point.

One such scheme includes a university liaison service in Cardiff, supporting students across Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of South Wales, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Since its launch in 2022, more than 240,000 people have contacted the NHS 111 “press 2” service for urgent mental health support.

The Mental Health Quality Statement sets out nine key principles aimed at reshaping services. These include designing care with input from people with lived experience, embedding trauma-informed approaches, and ensuring services are flexible, collaborative, and centred around individual needs.

A separate Self-harm Quality Statement outlines six pillars of care: immediate treatment, trauma-informed support, continuity of care, safety planning, holistic signposting, and skilled responders. It stresses that anyone who self-harms must receive compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of intent.

The standards have been developed in partnership with NHS Wales, third sector organisations, and individuals with lived experience.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles said: “These standards will ensure people have access to consistent, compassionate and effective mental health support wherever they are in Wales.

“We are moving towards a future of open access services, so people can get help earlier and avoid reaching crisis point. These standards will play a key role in improving mental healthcare across Wales.”