News

Centuries of industry have transformed Wales’ coastline, study finds

Published

2 months ago

May 21, 2026

Researchers say marine restoration must look forward rather than back as historic damage revealed

WALES’ coastlines and estuaries have been so heavily altered by centuries of industrial development that attempts to return them to a “pristine” natural state may no longer be realistic, according to new research.

A major study led by bioscientists at Swansea University has revealed the staggering scale of historical damage to Welsh coastal environments, with nearly four in five estuaries significantly altered through engineering and industrial activity over the past 300 years.

Researchers found that 79 per cent of Welsh estuaries – 33 out of 42 examined – have undergone major physical changes, including land reclamation, channel rerouting, embankment construction and industrial expansion.

The study, published in the journal Natural Resources Forum, argues that many of Wales’ marine environments were fundamentally transformed long before modern ecological monitoring began, meaning today’s conservation efforts may already be working from an altered baseline.

Industrial legacy

The research team used historical ecology techniques to map centuries of change across the Welsh coastline, analysing archival records, historic maps and written accounts.

Among the findings were the direct loss of more than 13,400 hectares of marine and estuarine habitat, widespread destruction of productive intertidal areas and the disappearance of vital ecosystems such as salt marshes, seagrass meadows and oyster beds.

Researchers said much of the damage accelerated during the nineteenth century, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in Wales, when ports expanded and coastlines were reshaped to support growing industry.

Some estuaries were effectively erased altogether, while former islands – including Barry Island – became permanently connected to the mainland through large-scale development.

The study also highlights the long-term environmental impact of overfishing, particularly the destruction of oyster reefs, as well as persistent pollution caused by historic mining activity.

‘Blank ecological canvas’

Lead author Dr Richard Unsworth said Wales now faced the challenge of restoring ecosystems that had already been dramatically altered generations ago.

He said: “By recognising the true extent of historical change, we can move beyond outdated notions of conservation.

“These degraded ecosystems should be embraced as the foundations for future recovery, ensuring blue growth is aligned with social, ecological, and health outcomes.”

Rather than attempting to recreate an unattainable historical landscape, the researchers are calling for what they describe as a “One Health” restoration approach.

This would focus on rebuilding biodiversity, improving ecosystem resilience and recognising the link between healthy marine environments and the wellbeing of coastal communities.

The study suggests restoration efforts should prioritise improving water quality, restoring habitats that help store carbon and reduce coastal erosion, and supporting wildlife recovery in ways that also benefit local economies.

For communities along the Pembrokeshire coast – where concerns over sewage discharges, marine conservation and coastal resilience remain high – the findings are likely to add to the debate about how Wales balances environmental protection with economic development.

Photo caption:

Squeezed coastline: Researchers say centuries of development have left less space for nature in Wales’ coastal waters (Pic: Dr Richard Unsworth).

Community

Family pay tribute to teenager who died during Duke of Edinburgh expedition

Published

17 minutes ago

July 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of an 18-year-old man who died after entering the River Wye during a Duke of Edinburgh expedition have paid tribute to a “loving” young man who will be “dearly missed”.

Umar Dumbuya, from London, died in Glasbury, Powys, on Tuesday, June 30.

Dyfed-Powys Police have issued a photograph of Umar and a tribute from his family following the tragedy.

His family said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of our son, brother and grandson. There are no words that can describe the pain we are feeling as a family.

“Umar was a loving boy and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

“Umar loved spending time playing basketball, attending the gym, and being with friends and family.

“We will always remember Umar for his kindness, warmth and sense of humour. His death has left a devastating hole in our family, and we now ask for privacy as we take time to grieve.”

Crime

Teacher looked “horrific” after alleged Milford Haven classroom stabbing

Published

59 minutes ago

July 7, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A SENIOR safeguarding teacher has told a jury that Vicki Williams looked “horrific” after allegedly being stabbed in the head at Milford Haven Comprehensive School.

Catherine Wilcox, who has taught at the school for 20 years and is currently leader of the safeguarding team, gave evidence at Swansea Crown Court this afternoon as the trial of a 15-year-old defendant continued.

The boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, denies attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding. He has admitted possessing a bladed article.

Mrs Wilcox told the court she saw Mrs Williams after the incident and said the teacher was clutching towards the back of her head.

The jury heard Mrs Williams told her: “He got me in the head.”

Mrs Wilcox described Mrs Williams’ appearance in the aftermath, saying: “She looked horrific. Her skin was the colour of a dead body.”

She added: “God, she looked awful. Vicky always presents herself so well but she looked horrific.”

The court also heard evidence from Detective Constable Henry Foster, including CCTV footage from the school.

Jurors were shown footage which the officer said showed the defendant near the classroom before the incident. The court also viewed CCTV showing the teenager laughing and joking with friends earlier in the day.

The jury was also shown footage from an earlier incident in which a classroom door window was kicked while Mrs Williams was teaching.

The prosecution alleges the defendant carried out a planned attack on Mrs Williams after bringing a knife into school in his bag.

The defence denies that he intended to kill or cause serious injury.

The trial continues.

News

Farage to resign as MP and fight Clacton by-election amid finance row

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NIGEL FARAGE has announced he will resign as MP for Clacton and stand again in the by-election he intends to trigger, as pressure grows over questions about his finances.

The Reform UK leader said voters in Clacton should be the ones to judge him following reports about undeclared gifts and financial support linked to cryptocurrency figures.

In a dramatic statement on Tuesday afternoon, Farage denied wrongdoing and said he had “done nothing wrong” and “not broken the law in any way at all”.

He said he would resign from Parliament, forcing a by-election, and would put his name forward again as the Reform UK candidate.

“This will be a people versus the establishment by-election,” he said.

Farage said the final straw had been media coverage involving his daughter, claiming a photograph showing where she lives had been published and accusing journalists of putting his family’s safety at risk.

He said: “I will not tolerate intimidation of my family. I will not tolerate the location of where they live being revealed.”

The announcement comes as Farage faces scrutiny over a £5m gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, which he has described as a personal gift and compared to a “lottery win”.

He said the money had been given on an unconditional basis, adding that he needed funds for personal security. Farage claimed he was the “most physically and verbally attacked” politician in modern Britain and said police had failed to properly act on threats against him.

Reports have also focused on alleged support linked to George Cottrell, a crypto entrepreneur and long-time Farage ally who has previously been convicted of fraud in the United States. Farage said he was now facing a further standards investigation as a result of recent reporting.

Farage used the statement to accuse Labour, the media and the wider political establishment of trying to stop Reform UK’s rise.

He also criticised proposed restrictions on political donations from people living abroad, claiming Labour was “coming for our money” and comparing the move to “living in a communist country”.

The Clacton seat was won by Farage at the 2024 general election, when he became an MP at the eighth attempt. He secured a majority of 8,405 over the Conservatives.

The timing of any by-election will depend on the formal parliamentary process. MPs cannot simply resign from the House of Commons and must instead be appointed to a nominal Crown office, such as the Chiltern Hundreds or Manor of Northstead, which disqualifies them from sitting.

Farage said he would fight the contest to win and continue what he called Reform UK’s “political revolution”.

Addressing Clacton voters directly, he said: “If I win, you win, because if I lose, they win.”