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Bank holiday rail works to affect Cardiff and Valleys passengers

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PASSENGERS are being urged to plan ahead this bank holiday weekend as essential rail improvement works take place across the Cardiff and Valleys network.

Transport for Wales said all lines through Cardiff Queen Street will be closed on Sunday (May 24) and Bank Holiday Monday (May 25).

Rail replacement buses and service diversions will be in operation to keep passengers moving.

Services from Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil will continue to run into Cardiff Central via the City Line, through Ninian Park. Replacement buses will run between Radyr and Llandaf, Cathays, Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay.

The works come as warm weather is forecast and services to popular coastal destinations, including Barry Island and the North Wales coast, are expected to be busier than usual.

Passengers are also being reminded that a new timetable came into effect on Sunday (May 17), with some trains now calling at different stations and at different times.

Industrial action by West Midlands Railway is also expected to affect Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton and Hereford to Birmingham routes on Friday (May 22) and Saturday (May 23). TfW said its own services are likely to be busier as a result, with extra capacity provided where possible.

Sarah Higgins, Operations Director at Transport for Wales, said: “Transport for Wales will be running its normal timetable over the Bank Holiday weekend, but some services may be much busier than usual due to industrial action at West Midlands Railway affecting Shrewsbury–Birmingham and Hereford–Birmingham services on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May.

“With high temperatures also forecast, customers are encouraged to take extra care when travelling, check for the latest travel information using the TfW website, mobile app, or social media channels, and to stay hydrated.”

On Sunday and Monday, buses will replace trains between Rhymney or Caerphilly and Cardiff Central, and between Radyr and Cardiff Central via Llandaf, Cathays and Cardiff Queen Street.

Penarth to Coryton services will terminate at Cardiff Central, with tickets accepted on Cardiff Bus routes 21, 23 and 27. On Monday only, tickets will also be valid on Cardiff Bus routes 92, 93 and 94 between Penarth and Cardiff city centre.

For the Cardiff Bay Line, tickets will be accepted on Cardiff Bus route 6, with an additional hourly bus running between Radyr and Cardiff Bay, calling at Llandaf, Cathays and Cardiff Queen Street.

Passengers are advised to allow extra time, carry water, and check before travelling.

 

Local Government

National Park Authority publishes Welsh language standards report

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PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has published its latest Welsh Language Standards Annual Report, setting out the work carried out over the past year to support and promote the use of Welsh across its services.

The report covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026 and outlines the Authority’s progress in meeting its statutory duties under the Welsh Language Standards.

The Standards require public bodies in Wales to provide services and communicate with the public in Welsh, ensuring that people can access information, take part in public life and engage with organisations through the language of their choice.

The legal framework for the Standards is set out in the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which places duties on public organisations, including National Park Authorities, to treat the Welsh language no less favourably than English.

For Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the report is not only a statutory requirement but also a reflection of the importance of Welsh to many communities across the county.

The Authority says its work under the Standards supports residents, schools, community groups, volunteers and visitors, while helping to ensure that Welsh remains visible and accessible in everyday life.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The Welsh language is central to the identity, culture and everyday life of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

“As an Authority, we recognise our responsibility not only to comply with the Welsh Language Standards, but to help create the conditions in which Welsh can be used naturally and confidently.

“For many people in Pembrokeshire, Welsh is the language of home, family and community, and it is important that they are able to engage with the Authority in their first language.

“This work is reflected across the Authority’s services, from the way we share information with the public to our work with schools, communities, volunteers and visitors.

“The Annual Report provides an opportunity to look at what has been achieved over the past year, while also recognising where further progress can be made.”

The Authority’s wider commitment to the Welsh language is also reflected in its Welsh Language Strategy, National Park Management Plan and Local Development Plan 2.

The full Welsh Language Standards Annual Report is available at: www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/welsh-language-standards/.

 

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Crime

Serviceman caught drink-driving in BMW Z4 near Nolton

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Robert Seymour was three times the legal limit after police received reports of a car swerving near Pembrokeshire coastal village

A FORMER serviceman has been banned from the road after being caught driving a BMW Z4 while three times over the drink-drive limit.

Robert Seymour, 56, was seen driving between Portfield Gate and Nolton Haven at around 9.15pm on June 13 after police were alerted by a member of the public concerned about his driving.

“The Z4 had been seen swerving all over the road,” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Officers found the car around ten minutes later, reversing slowly out of a caravan park before moving forward.

Ms Vaughan said Seymour had removed the keys from the ignition when officers approached.

“He was very intoxicated and was slurring his words,” she said.

“There was also a very strong smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.”

Seymour, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.

At the police station, he gave a lowest breath reading of 105 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Seymour pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher said Seymour had served in the military for nearly 30 years and was now employed as a public servant with the Department for Work and Pensions.

“His full-time work takes him to various centres all over Dyfed,” he said.

“This is going to have a huge effect on his life, however his employers have said that he is going to retain his job.”

Magistrates fined Seymour £750 and ordered him to pay a £300 surcharge and £85 costs, making a total of £1,135.

He was disqualified from driving for two years.

 

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Crime

Concerns for prisoner at Haverfordwest video link hearing

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Michael Carruthers was described as “shaking and shivering” at Parc Prison before court appearance was adjourned

CONCERN was raised for a Pembroke Dock prisoner after he was unable to appear before magistrates by video link from Parc Prison.

Michael Carruthers, 34, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning charged with assaulting a police officer by beating.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on April 24.

But prison staff told the court Carruthers was not in a fit state to appear by live link from the Bridgend prison.

“After being taken out from his cell, he sat shaking and shivering on the floor and was holding his head in his hands,” a prison officer told the court.

“His head isn’t really in it.”

When asked whether Carruthers had been seen by a prison medic, prison staff confirmed he had not.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said Carruthers’ behaviour was consistent with his medical history.

“He’s appeared before this court many times before, but he’s severely autistic and has PTSD,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He has severe issues. When the prison officers described the way in which he is today, it’s clear that today came as a particular shock to him, as the first he learned of today’s court appearance was this morning.”

Mr Lloyd asked for the case to be adjourned so he could speak to Carruthers and prepare him for his next appearance.

Magistrates agreed, and the case was adjourned until July 14.

The court’s legal adviser stressed the importance of Carruthers attending the next hearing.

“People can’t hide by being in prison,” she said.

“If he’s deliberately refusing to come to court, then he must be physically brought here by the prison staff.”

 

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