Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam after fatal A487 crash near Cardigan

THE FAMILY of a 22-year-old man who died in a road traffic collision on the A487 near Cardigan have paid tribute to him, describing him as “bright, happy, hilarious, adventurous, ambitious, kind and a gentle giant”.

Alfie Copeland died following the collision on the A487 northbound, close to the junction with Caemorgan Road, at around 1.05pm on Saturday (Jan 17).

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said Alfie “had a bright future and so many plans”.

They added: “We will never stop missing him, always in our hearts.”

Officers investigating the circumstances of the collision are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have witnessed what happened to come forward.

Police are particularly keen to hear from drivers who were in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage which could support the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, email [email protected], or call 101, quoting reference DP-20260117-139.

Photo caption: Much-loved: Alfie Copeland has been described by his family as “kind and a gentle giant” (Pic: family).

Vulnerable households ‘should not have to cut back on washing or flushing the toilet’ to keep bills down, Rhian Bowen-Davies says

THE OLDER PEOPLE’S Commissioner for Wales has hit out at the UK Government after ministers declined to take forward a recommendation to introduce a national “social tariff” for water bills.

Rhian Bowen-Davies said she was “very disappointed” by the decision, which followed proposals from the Independent Water Commission. Campaigners have argued that a social tariff would bring consistent, meaningful support for people on low incomes, rather than the current patchwork of discounts that can vary between areas and companies.

In a statement, Ms Bowen-Davies warned that many households are already rationing basic water use in an effort to keep bills down.

“People on low incomes, including many older people, are already being forced to cut back on washing, laundry and even flushing the toilet to try to keep bills down,” she said.

She described that situation as “simply not acceptable”, arguing that people should not have to restrict water use “just to make ends meet”. She said doing so can increase the risk of illness and infection and can also lead to “stress, stigma, and social isolation”.

Ms Bowen-Davies said a national social tariff would provide “much needed, meaningful and consistent support” and help tackle what she described as a growing problem of water poverty.

She also warned that the issue is expected to worsen over the coming years, with projections suggesting it could affect around a million older households across the UK by 2029.

The Commissioner urged the UK Government to rethink its stance and work with the water industry and other stakeholders to ensure that customers who are struggling financially can access the support they need.

POST-16 sector invited to respond to evidence paper as rising costs, skills needs and participation gaps come under scrutiny

UNIVERSITIES, colleges, schools, learners and businesses across Wales are being urged to share their views on the future of post-16 education and research.

The call was issued by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, following the publication of a Welsh Government evidence paper titled The Future of Tertiary Education in Wales.

The document sets out a range of challenges facing further and higher education and seeks responses to help build an evidence base that will inform future policy.

Among the issues highlighted are participation gaps, rising costs for both learners and institutions, demographic change, competition between education providers, and the need to better align skills provision and research with the needs of the Welsh economy.

Announcing the call for evidence, Vikki Howells said the system faced pressures that could not be tackled by government alone.

“The challenges facing our post-16 education system are too complex for us to solve alone,” she said. “Universities, colleges, schools, employers and learners hold vital insights about what is working, what is not, and what is possible.”

She said reforms had already been delivered, including the establishment of Medr and the maintenance of the Welsh Government’s approach to student support, but warned there were further challenges that needed to be addressed.

“This call for evidence is our opportunity to build on our progress, and your expertise will shape Wales’s future,” she said. “This is your opportunity to influence the future direction for your institution, your staff, your learners and your communities.”

The minister said she would be visiting Bangor University and Coleg Meirion Dwyfor this week to meet staff and students and hear their views on the pressures facing the sector.

“These conversations will build on my ongoing dialogue with the sector, and will be an essential part of this work,” she said.

The call for evidence is open from January to March 2026.