Hello, and welcome to Wales Online's live blog for Sunday, April 14. We will be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales - whether you're on the move, at home or at work - as well as the latest traffic and travel.
We will also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas. Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that's breaking in your area.
Main road blocked in both directions due to crash
The A4050 Colcot Road, Barry is blocked in both directions with queueing traffic due to a crash at Greenbanks Drive.
A vast lake is forming in an old opencast site and it has people very worried
The people living by the UK's former biggest open cast coal mine say they are “disappointed” at the reaction to their fears that rising water levels at the site could cause contaminated water and become a drowning risk.
Campaigners and local residents Chris and Alyson Austin are calling on Merthyr council to use £15m in an account involving the council and the mining company to address what they believe are pressing safety concerns over Ffos-y-Fran opencast mine.
Police search for missing teen
Dyfed-Powys Police is searching for missing 19-year-old named Luke in Pembroke Dock.
A spokesman said: "The search for 19-year-old Luke, reported missing in the Pembroke Dock area, is continuing this afternoon. Luke is described as a white male, 5’2 inches tall, of slim build, with dark brown hair.
"He was last seen wearing a long white jacket, black trousers with a white stripe and black trainers with a white stripe. A number of enquiries are being undertaken which include a search in the Hobbs Point area. The public can expect to see an increase in police presence in the area while the search is ongoing."
Anyone who has information that could help the police is urged to get in touch.
M4 slip road reopened
In an update, Inrix stated: "M4 Westbound lane re-opened on entry slip road, earlier accident at J44 A4230 Peniel Green Road (Llansamlet)."
M4 slip road closed due to crash
A slip road on the M4 in Swansea is closed due to a crash.
According to traffic monitorins service Inrix: "M4 Westbound lane closed on entry slip road due to accident at J44 A4230 Peniel Green Road (Llansamlet). Traffic is coping well."
Steelworks Road in Ebbw Vale reopens after crash
Steelworks Road in Ebbw Vale has reopened following a crash earlier this afternoon.
ℹ Road reopened. ℹ
— Gwent Police (@gwentpolice) April 14, 2024
Officers have now reopened Steelworks Road in Ebbw Vale following a road traffic collision earlier today.
Thank you for your patience.
Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/E1hFdjQs9O
Vast wall of heat to engulf UK as charts and Met Office weather show dry and warm weather finally coming
Wales looks set to finally get a prolonged period of dry weather after what seems like one of the longest winters in memory. After a very rainy end to 2023 and start to 2024, things have been very unsettled thus far in April.
But some good news might be on the horizon as most of next week promises to be dry with a fair amount of sunshine across Wales. Sunday is largely dry throughout the country, and while Monday could be a bit of a wash-out the rest of the week could finally see the dawn of spring. From Tuesday onwards, it looks like we’re in for a nice spell of dry weather, with the warmest day of the week coming next Saturday (April 20).
Two charged over serious Swansea alleged attack on 34-year-old
Police investigating a serious alleged assault on a man in Swansea say two people have been charged in connection with it. The incident took place at around 8pm on Wednesday, April 3. It comes after South Wales Police carried out an investigation into the alleged incident, which took place at Carreg Cennen Gardens in the Bonymaen area of the city.
A statement from South Wales Police said:
Detectives investigating a serious assault upon a 34-year-old local man at Carreg Cennen Gardens, Bonymaen, Swansea, at around 8pm on Wednesday, April 3, have charged two people in connection with the incident. Lianne Zara Jenkins, 40, from Swansea has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. Robert John Jenkins, 42, also from Swansea, has been charged with wounding with intent. Both have been remanded in custody and will appear before Swansea Magistrates' Court on Monday, April 15.
A4046 in Ebbw Vale shut due to collision
The A4046 Station Road in Ebbw Vale is currently blocked in both directions. There is queuing traffic in the area due to a crash which happened on the A4281.
Llantrisant Road blocked due to crash
The A4119 in Llantrisant is blocked in both directions following a crash.
According to traffic monitoring service Inrix: "A4119 Llantrisant Road in both directions blocked, queueing traffic due to accident at Waterhall Road."
Lane closure on main road near Usk
One lane of the A449 near Usk is currently closed, Gwent Police has confirmed.
Lane closed
— Gwent Police (@gwentpolice) April 14, 2024
There is currently a lane closed on the A449 Northbound towards Usk.
This may cause delays, please avoid the area, and find alternative routes for your journey.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/tZOs4vwpS8
Teenage reported missing from Pembroke Dock
Police have issued an appeal after a teenager was reported missing in Pembroke Dock.
MISSING | Have you seen Luke,19, reported missing in the Pembroke Dock area? Described as a white male, 5’2 inches tall, of slim build, with dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing a long white jacket, black trousers with a white stripe and black trainers with a white stripe. pic.twitter.com/q0Pb81rSwc
— Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police (@DyfedPowys) April 14, 2024
Ryan Reynolds plays cheeky birthday prank on Rob McElhenney hours after Wrexham secure promotion
Ryan Reynolds has played a hilarious birthday prank on his friend and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney just hours after their team secured back-to-back promotions and a place in League One next season. Wrexham confirmed their promotion with a thumping 6-0 win over Forest Green Rovers at the Racecourse on Saturday afternoon. It capped another terrific season for the club which has gone from strength to strength since being taken over by Hollywood stars Reynolds and McElhenney in 2021.
Posting a video on X in the early hours of Sunday morning, Reynolds paid tribute to McElhenney with a funny video which parodied a famous scene from hit movie Titanic.
It felt like Rob’s birthday was today but apparently it’s tomorrow? I am posting now because it’s April 14th in Wrexham and I’ll bet people are still up! Happy Birthday, @RMcElhenney, and LFG, @Wrexham_AFC!!! Thanks to @Vistaprint & @TyPawb pic.twitter.com/BuvyttqBuL
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) April 13, 2024
Victoria Road in Milford Haven reopens
Victoria Road in Milford Haven has reopened following an earlier police incident.
According to traffic monitoring service Inrix:" A4076 Victoria Road in both directions re-opened, police incident over between Havens Head retail Park roundabout and St Anne's Road."
The pretty Welsh village with one huge problem - it stinks
Spitall is a lovely little village in Pembrokeshire. But it doesn’t seem lovely today. In fact, it stinks. Residents have complained for weeks and months about a nasty odour here, puncturing the peaceful tranquillity of everyday life and polluting the air they breathe.
The smell is said to be down to the Withyhedge Landfill and Materials Recycling Facility, located a short distance from Spittal. The site is operated by Resources Management Ltd (RML), which has a permit allowing it to dump 250,000 tonnes of waste at the site each year. The firm is part of Dauson Environmental Group, which also owns Cardiff-based Atlantic Recycling, a company that transports waste across south Wales to the Withyhedge site.
Villagers are not happy because promises that the smell would be dealt with and eradicated have thus far failed to be kept. You can read the full story here.
The reason why there were so many boats in Cardiff Bay on Saturday lunchtime
There was an incredible sight in Cardiff Bay on Saturday afternoon as a fleet of boats sailed in unison in a fitting tribute to a local man who had a “life-long passion” for all things nautical.
Sean Carter was an active committee member at Cardiff Yacht Club for many years and was involved with several sailing clubs across south Wales. He recently passed away following a battle with cancer at the age of 62.
Read more here.
Traffic lights issue in Llanelli
Police have asked people to be mindful as a set of traffic lights in Llanelli are out of order. They are working with the local council to fix the issue.
⚠️ TRAFFIC UPDATE ⚠️
— Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police (@DyfedPowys) April 14, 2024
Please be aware the traffic lights at Halfway, Llanelli are currently all off. We are liaising with the local authority to get this fixed as soon as possible.
Please take care and stay safe!
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/OvuAZG7A0W
Pembrokeshire road closed due to 'police incident'
Victoria Road in Milford Haven is currently shut in both directions due to a 'police incident'.
According to traffic monitoring service Inrix: "A4076 Victoria Road in both directions closed due to police incident between Havens Head retail Park roundabout and St Anne's Road."
