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Community

Welsh Water investment to support customers and environmental improvements

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CUSTOMERS and the environment are set to benefit from major initiatives by Welsh Water, made possible by its not-for-profit business model.

As cost-of-living pressure increases and with its focus on reducing any adverse impact on the environment, the company is taking steps to take full advantage of its unique operating model to support its household customers and the environment.

Welsh Water, which already provides financial support to a larger number of customers, proportionate to the company’s size, than any other water company in England and Wales, has confirmed that it will:

maintain its range of support measures to help customers manage their bills such as payment holidays, flexible payment plans, and advice on simple ways to reduce water use
invest £12million to expand the financial support to an extra 50,000 households either through its “social tariffs” scheme or a new community fund
launch a pilot of the community fund in January 2023 to target customers who are struggling with household bills but are ineligible for benefits and, therefore, Welsh Water’s social tariffs.
The role that the company plays in protecting river water quality has come under increased focus over the past year, with Welsh Water already investing heavily to reduce its phosphate contribution to rivers. The company has already committed to investing £833 million to improve its wastewater assets, particularly Combined Storm Overflows (CSOs), on sensitive rivers between 2020 and 2025 and has also announced an additional £100 million investment to help protect river water quality.

This further investment allows the company to accelerate plans to install more phosphate removal plants at wastewater treatment works (£60 million) and to reduce the impact of CSOs – particularly those which are located along Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) rivers (£40 million). This will mean investing in its key assets at sites such as the Menai Strait (£10 million), Brecon
(£6 million), Monmouth (£2 million) Trebanos (£2 million) as well as Llanybydder, Lampeter, Wolfscastle, Corwen, Llanfoist and Letterston (£20 million). It will also enable more nature-based solutions to be developed to help improve river quality. On, for example, the river Wye the company is working with the Wye & Usk Foundation and Hereford Council to support additional phosphorus removal using natural treatment through a low carbon wetland system which will also enhance local biodiversity.

Cllr Liz Harvey, Deputy Leader of Herefordshire Council said: “The close collaborative working with Welsh Water and the Wye and Usk Foundation is slowly getting housebuilding in the county moving again and making a contribution to improving our rivers too.”

This announcement of funding to support vulnerable customers and protect the environment comes as the company reports on its half year results. Despite the wider challenges facing the economy, the company has maintained a strong performance. This has included continuing to invest just over £1 million per day on improvements to its water and wastewater networks.

The company has also confirmed that it is working on a scheme to support its employees through the cost-of-living crisis and has already implemented the increase to the Real Living Wage for all affected employees.

Glas Cymru Chairman, Alastair Lyons, said: “Our non-shareholder business model sets us apart from the other water companies in England & Wales and it is important that we demonstrate how it provides tangible benefit to our customers. I am, therefore, very pleased that not needing to reward shareholders makes it possible for us to announce this additional investment to benefit our customers and the environment. This builds on the millions of pounds our model has already allowed us to invest to help keep bills affordable for customers and deliver essential investment schemes to improve services for customers and mitigate the impact of our operations on the environment”.

Welsh Water Chief Executive, Peter Perry, said: “The current financial crisis is understandably a worrying time and will mean that more customers will find themselves in a situation where they struggle to pay their bills. With the goal of earning the trust of our customers, we know that we have an important role to play here which is why we are going to be supporting even more customers in this time of need. Our advice to customers is to contact us the moment the bill becomes a worry so that we can look how we can provide support to alleviate this concern.

“Equally as important is that we redouble our efforts to protect the environment, particularly river water quality. With expectations changing, more needs to be done, especially to reduce the impact of CSOs. Removing them from our sewerage system altogether is not an option but what is in our control is the ability to target investment at those CSOs which have the biggest impact so that we can improve their performance and river water quality. The extra £100 million will enable us to bring forward investment schemes to help achieve this and will build on the £833 million we are already investing in our wastewater network through to 2025.”

Community

Appeal launched as Welsh teenagers missing for nearly a week

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POLICE have launched an appeal after two teenagers from Wales went missing almost a week ago.

Isobel and Daniel, both aged 16, were last seen together in the Machynlleth area of Powys on Monday. They are from the Cardigan area of Ceredigion and are believed to have links to both Gloucestershire and Merseyside.

Isobel is described as 5ft 3ins tall with blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a black parka-style coat with a fur-trimmed hood, grey jogging bottoms, and carrying a large black backpack.

Daniel is described as 6ft 1ins tall, with short dark brown hair shaved at the sides. He was last seen wearing dark blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black collared coat. He was carrying a large camping backpack in black, red, and grey.

Dyfed-Powys Police is urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to get in touch via the online portal, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.

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Community

Proposed Saundersfoot traveller site decision delayed

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PLANNERS are to visit a proposed new ‘traveller site’ on the outskirts of a Pembrokeshire village, which has seen a petition of nearly 300 objections, before making any formal decision.

Nearly 300 people have signed a petition against the creation of one traveller site incorporating one static caravan, one touring caravan, day/utility room and ecological enhancements (partly retrospective) on land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane, Saundersfoot.

The objection to the site is also being shared by the village’s community council.

Around 50 people attended a recent meeting of the community council when members voted unanimously to object to the application.

The application is made by Dai Evans of Pontypool, through agents Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd.

Saundersfoot Community Council is recommending that the plans are turned down.

Members have pointed out that the site is agricultural land, with no caravan or other use in over 30 years.

There was also concern that the site – where two previous planning applications had been rejected – is overlooked from Incline Way above and cannot be screened,

Members have said granting permission “would be gross overdevelopment setting a precedent for development literally anywhere throughout the national park”.

The community council’s objection finished: “The applicant lives in Pontypool and claims no connection to the area.  There is no rationale as to why the applicant chose a site approximately 100 miles away from their home.”

A supporting statement accompanying the application states: “The applicant belongs to a long-standing Romany Gypsy family and generations have lived a traditional and cultural lifestyle living in caravans all their lives.

“Mr Evans and his partner currently reside on an overcrowded Traveller site in Pontypool where living conditions are poor. They currently only live in rented accommodation and its brick and mortar and not in keeping with their cultural preference, as they prefer to live in a caravan.”

It says Mr Evans and family have stayed in a touring caravan at the site during the summer months since the late 1980s when it was owned by another gypsy family, later purchased by Mr Evans in 2023, clearing and refurbishing the site.

“The application’s aspirations are to continue his Gypsy culture and traditions residing in a caravan on site.”

At the April 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, members backed a recommendation to agree to a site visit ahead of any formal decision on the scheme, on the grounds of public interest.

The application will now be heard at a future national park meeting.

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Community

Sanna Duthie to take on Pembs Coast Path in record-breaking fundraising challenge

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A NEW record could soon be set on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path as ultra-runner Sanna Duthie prepares to take on the full 186-mile trail in under 50 hours to raise vital funds for the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust.

Starting at Poppit Sands at 8.30am on Thursday 24 April, Sanna will attempt to beat her own record of 51 hours and 30 minutes, which she set in 2021. The challenge will push her physical and mental endurance to the limit as she navigates the rugged and spectacular coastline of the UK’s only coastal National Park.

Sanna’s motivation for this challenge goes beyond breaking records. She is driven by her deep connection to the Coast Path and her desire to help safeguard it for future generations. The funds raised will support essential maintenance, from rebuilding storm-damaged bridges to protecting ancient monuments and combating coastal erosion.

Speaking about her challenge, Sanna said: The Coast Path has given me so much over the years – it’s my training ground, my escape, and my inspiration. Now, it’s time for me to give something back. I hope to raise £2,000 to help protect and preserve this incredible trail, ensuring that others can continue to experience its beauty and challenges for years to come.”

Sanna’s record-breaking attempt is being supported by the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, which funds crucial conservation projects within the National Park.

Trust Director Katie Macro added: “Sanna’s determination and passion for the Coast Path are truly inspiring. Her challenge highlights the urgent need for funding to protect this iconic trail from the increasing threats of climate change, erosion, and declining public funding. Every donation, no matter how small, will help us continue this essential work.”

For those inspired by Sanna’s feat but not quite ready to run 186 miles, the Trust’s Wild Coast Challenge offers an alternative way to experience the Coast Path while supporting its future. This fundraising adventure invites walkers to complete the trail at their own pace—whether over weeks, months, or even a year.

By raising just £200, participants will directly contribute to conservation efforts while earning a Wild Coast Challenge t-shirt as a badge of honour for their achievement.

Further information about this can be found at https://pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales.

To support Sanna’s record-breaking attempt and help her reach her £2,000 fundraising target, visit her JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/sanna-duthie-1729103753472.

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