Author: Rhys Gregory

Motorists are being warned to expect delays on the M4 westbound between Junction 36 (Sarn) and Junction 35 (Pencoed) following a collision. Traffic Wales has reported congestion in the area after the incident, with drivers advised to take extra care when travelling through the affected section of motorway. The collision was reported on the westbound carriageway between the two Bridgend junctions during Friday afternoon, leading to slow moving traffic and delays for motorists heading towards Swansea and west Wales. Traffic Wales has not released details regarding the number of vehicles involved or whether anyone has been injured. Drivers are being…

Motorists are facing delays on the A465 following a collision between Neath and Llandarcy on Friday. Traffic Wales has confirmed that lane two of the southbound carriageway is currently closed while emergency services deal with the incident. Drivers travelling through the area are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys, with congestion expected as traffic passes the scene. Details regarding the number of vehicles involved or whether anyone has been injured have not yet been released. Traffic Wales said emergency services remain in attendance and the lane closure is likely to remain in place while the incident is…

Motorists are facing delays on the A470 during Friday morning’s rush hour, with congestion reported between Nantgarw and Coryton on the southbound carriageway. Traffic Wales has issued a congestion alert for the busy stretch of road, which is one of the main commuter routes into Cardiff from Caerphilly and the wider South Wales Valleys. The congestion is affecting traffic travelling southbound from the Nantgarw area towards Coryton, with motorists advised to allow extra time for their journeys. The delays come as ongoing roadworks have been taking place on parts of the A470 corridor in recent weeks, including overnight closures between…

Food could be wrapped in packaging made from seaweed instead of artificial plastic in the future, thanks to new research. In a paper published in the journal Algal Research, academics at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) reveal that seaweed extracts can be turned into an alternative biodegradable plastic. Plastic films in the food industry are largely made from fossil-fuels. In 2022, they accounted for just under a third of the 400 million tonnes of plastic produced around the world. Plastic packaging also has a major impact on the natural environment with 15 billion kg of…

Ty Nant, the mineral water brand based in Bethania, is Wales’s fastest-growing private company, according to the fifth annual Sunday Times 100 rankings. The list is published today online at thesundaytimes.com/100 and available as a supplement with the print edition of the newspaper this Sunday 7th June. The annual ranking identifies and celebrates Britain’s 100 leading entrepreneurial businesses, and showcases the people behind these most dynamic private companies. The Sunday Times 100 excludes companies selling their own technology, which now feature in the sister table, The Sunday Times 100 Tech. Ty Nant made £18.1 million in sales in the year to March,…

Edenstone Group has revealed ambitious growth plans following the acquisition of Tai Derw Developments Ltd as it targets £100 million turnover by 2028. The deal, agreed at the end of May, follows talks between Edenstone Group executive chairman Martin Taylor and Tai Derw managing director Martin Smith about opportunities for the two housing developers. Both companies build a combination of private and affordable homes and have similar business models. Acquiring Tai Derw expands Magor-headquartered Edenstone’s geographic footprint, while supporting housing delivery and employment opportunities. Edenstone Group executive chairman Martin Taylor said: “The acquisition of Tai Derw is an important milestone…

A bold and innovative new business, Canny Snacks, has been formed with backing from soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills, marking the company’s first major move beyond the drinks category. The venture builds on Radnor Hills’ established expertise, infrastructure and customer relationships to unlock growth within the adjacent and complementary snacking market. As part of its launch, Canny Snacks has secured the sales, marketing and distribution rights for Burts Snacks – a well-established British brand with strong heritage in the Southwest of England. Together, the partnership combines creativity, commercial capability and operational support to unlock new opportunities and take the Burts…

Against a backdrop of rising costs and greater food insecurity, a co-operative group established in Splott has created a sustainable model to help people access healthy, affordable food. Splo-down offers its 90 members weekly veg and fruit bags, along with loose items such as pasta, rice and coffee, all paid for on a sliding scale to make it affordable to all. Food is sourced from local wholesalers, with supplies bought in bulk to keep costs low. While many community projects rely on constant fundraising and grant applications, Splo-down covers its operating costs through membership fees, which start at £3 per…

ONE of the biggest dates in the North Wales agricultural calendar is set to return as Rhug Estate prepares to welcome hundreds of visitors for its hugely popular Open Farm Sunday. Taking place from 10am to 4pm on Sunday June 7, the free family day out will once again open the gates to the award-winning estate near Corwen, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life on one of the UK’s most prestigious organic farms. Visitors can enjoy a packed programme of attractions and demonstrations across the 12,500-acre estate, including working sheepdog displays, sheep shearing demonstrations, vintage tractors, tractor rides and a…

Wrexham will welcome artists from around the world to Queen’s Square this summer, as the city’s flagship arts festival, Spirit Fest, returns with its most adventurous programme to date. Curated and created by the award-winning Paallam Arts, Wrexham will experience an exceptional mix of dance, circus, theatre and movement artists from Wrexham, Wales, Ireland, India and Spain at the free outdoor festival that will begin at 10:30am on Saturday 18th July. “Spirit Fest 26 is shaping up to be a vibrant, energetic, jam-packed event that will reflect the very best of our city,” said Krishnapriya Ramamoorthy, producer of Paallam Arts,…