News
Future of Wales’ new and improved rail services revealed

KEOLISAMEY, the new operators of Wales and Border rail services, have outlined their plans for the next 15 years of travel services.
The company, who won the £5bn bid to take over the services last month, say they will spend £800m on new trains, increasing capacity by two-thirds, and provide new trains for 95% of journeys within five years.
600 additional staff will be recruited and four new Cardiff light rail stations will be built, as part of the South Wales Metro.
They will be at Gabalfa, Crwys Road, Loudoun Square and The Flourish.
The company takes over from Arriva Trains Wales in October.
Carwyn Jones, the First Minister, has called the plans a ‘landmark moment in the future development of Wales’.
He said: “People said they wanted affordable fares and newer, cleaner trains and we have worked hard to ensure this is reflected in what we are launching today.”
All new trains, rail cars and buses will be red and black, and branded with Transport for Wales logos, rather than company logos.
The French-Spanish joint venture said that half of the new trains will be built in Wales and £1.9bn is being put towards improving the travel experience for passengers.
Looking to modernise the train services, smart ticketing will provide flexible fares and cheaper off-peak prices. WiFi on the trains will also be improved.
They are promising an additional 285 extra services on Monday to Friday, with 294 extra Sunday services.
The company said that Wales’ railway will be ‘unrecognisable’ in five years.
Alistair Gordon, Chief Executive of Keolis UK, said: “For too long the railways in Wales have suffered from under investment and, while the changes we need to make will take time, we are creating a platform for future economic growth and prosperity that will benefit all of Wales now and for generations to come.”
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said: “It is important that future investment provides visible and practical improvements to the rail travel experience on a franchise with the potential to grow transport links between England and Wales.”
James Price, Chief Executive of Transport for Wales, said: “This is more than a significant investment in rail services, it’s also an investment in the future prosperity of Wales.”
Crime
Domestic violence offender jailed after breaching court order

A LONG-STANDING Pembrokeshire domestic violence offender has been sent back to prison after breaching a domestic violence protection order.
Paul Webber was arrested on March 18 after being seen kissing his victim outside probation offices in Haverfordwest, despite a court order preventing contact.
A court order imposed by Llanelli magistrates earlier this month prevented him from making any contact with the female after being convicted of threatening to kill her, strangle her, and sexually assault her.
“On March 12, a report was made to police that he’d attended a probation appointment with the female, who remained standing outside the offices,” a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“Police officers viewed the CCTV footage and recognised the female as the victim.
“This was clearly a breach of the domestic violence protection order towards a vulnerable woman, and there’s also concern that she minimises incidents. He’s known as a domestic violence instigator with previous partners.”
Webber, of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to breaching the domestic violence protection order.
He was sentenced to 28 days in custody.
“You were aware of the terms of the order but you deliberately breached it,” said the presiding magistrate when passing sentence.
“You showed a complete disregard for it.”
Crime
Arrest warrant issued for charity box theft suspect

A WARRANT without bail has been issued for a Milford Haven man accused of stealing a charity box from the Castle Hotel in Haverfordwest.
Daniel Fairlie, 29, of Observatory Avenue, Milford Haven, was listed to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, March 18. However, after failing to attend, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.
Fairlie is accused of stealing the charity box on November 23, 2024, along with multiple shoplifting offences and drug possession.
Crime
Bail breacher remanded in custody after ferry trip with victim

A BAIL breacher has been remanded in custody after traveling to and from Ireland on the Pembroke Dock ferry with a victim he was prohibited from seeing.
Robson Franca, 38, was arrested by port officers after being seen in the presence of the complainant when the Rosslare ferry recently docked in Pembroke Dock.
This week, Haverfordwest magistrates were told that a domestic violence court order imposed by Avon and Somerset magistrates prohibited Franca from having any contact with the complainant pending his trial on May 16.
Franca’s solicitor, Peter Tarr, told the court that the complainant frequently contacts Franca and makes threats if he refuses to see her.
Despite the defense’s arguments, magistrates refused to grant bail, citing concerns that Franca might commit further offences, fail to surrender, or interfere with prosecution witnesses. He was remanded in custody.
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