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by Staff February 2, 2023

Five new railway stations could open to boost England-Wales journeys – Evening Standard

Five new railway stations could open to boost England-Wales journeys  Evening Standard

  • Health
by Staff February 2, 2023

UK and Welsh governments to explore new rail links between south … – GOV.UK

UK and Welsh governments to explore new rail links between south …  GOV.UK

Latest News

Five new railway stations could open to boost England-Wales journeys – Evening Standard

February 2, 2023

UK and Welsh governments to explore new rail links between south … – GOV.UK

February 2, 2023

Welsh rugby legend launches new sports programme at University … – Nation.Cymru

February 2, 2023

Transforming the Economy Across the South Wales Region – Business News Wales

February 2, 2023
by Staff January 31, 2023

In court from Newport, Cwmbran, Brynmawr and Caerphilly – South Wales Argus

In court from Newport, Cwmbran, Brynmawr and Caerphilly  South Wales Argus

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SHAUN DANAHER, 57, of Lambourne Way, Bettws, Newport, was fined £120 after he pleaded guilty to committing an act outraging public decency by exposing himself on August 16, 2022.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.

ASHTON GREENLAND, 18, of Davy Close, Newport, was banned from driving for six months after he pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle on Glyndwr Road, Cwmbran, while unfit to drive through drugs on July 28, 2022 and possession of cannabis.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 surcharge.

MORE NEWS: Gwent drug dealer known as ‘Scottish’ jailed for supplying heroin

DANNY MORGAN, 21, of Rhiw Melin, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, was banned from driving for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to drug driving with cocaine in his blood on Llewellyn Road on October 7, 2022.

He was fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £140 surcharge.

LEE NAGY, 36, of Shakespeare Road, St Dials, Cwmbran, was jailed for 10 months after he admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance on Queensway, Newport, on January 22.

He was banned from driving for 41 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £187 surcharge.

JUSTIN DYKES, 18, of Heol Beuno, New Inn, Pontypool, was sentenced to a 12-month community order after he admitted dangerous driving and drug driving with a cannabis derivative in his blood on September 18, 2022.

He was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, banned from driving for 18 months and pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

CALLUM LEWIS, 29, of Alfred Street, Abertysswg, Caerphilly, was banned from driving for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to drug driving with a cocaine derivative in his blood on High Street, Argoed, on September 26, 2022.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.

MATTHEW WELSH, 32, of High Meadows, Abercarn, was sentenced to a community order after he admitted drug driving with a cocaine derivative in his blood on Heol Aneurin, Penyrheol, Caerphilly, on October 17, 2022.

He was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, banned from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

GARETH MARSHALL, 30, of Coverack Road, Newport, was banned from driving for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to drug driving with cocaine in his blood on Caerleon Road on October , 2022.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs.

MARK DAVIES, 42, of Shoemaker Close, Brynmawr, was banned from driving for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to drug driving with a cocaine derivative and a cannabis derivative in his blood on the A467 in Blaina on October 26, 2022.

He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £240 surcharge.

SHAUN LARDER, 32, of Victoria Street, Old Cwmbran, Cwmbran, was banned from driving for 12 months after he admitted drug driving with a cocaine derivative and a cannabis derivative his blood on Plantation Drive, Croesyceiliog, on October 7, 2022.

He was fined £240 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £96 surcharge.

GAVIN SUTTON, 44, of Leach Road, Bettws, Newport, was banned from driving for 12 months after he admitted drug driving with a cannabis derivative his blood on Meadows Road on October 18, 2022.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £200 surcharge.

SEAN PHILLIPS, 45, of Park Avenue, Bedwas, Caerphilly, was banned from driving for 12 months after he admitted drug driving with cocaine in his blood on Roding Close, Bettws, Newport, on October 12, 2022.

He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 surcharge.

by Staff January 30, 2023

This is why emergency services were in Newport tonight – South Wales Argus

This is why emergency services were in Newport tonight  South Wales Argus

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Crews from the emergency services were spotted in Beatty Road, Ringland tonight.

The Argus contacted Gwent Police who said the Newport incident was a false alarm due to a hoax call. 

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “We received a call at 18:54 from a member of the public who believed there may be a person trapped in a sewage tunnel.

“However, no person was trapped in the sewage tunnel and the person concerned for was found safe nearby.”

Gwent Police and the South Wales Fire and Rescue service attended the scene.

One eyewitness said they saw Search and Rescue services with torches at the top end of Howe Circle, along the reen and opposite Ringland Labour Club.

by Staff January 30, 2023

Gwent firm turns heads and transforms lives globally – South Wales Argus

Gwent firm turns heads and transforms lives globally  South Wales Argus

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Two local politicians visited Chepstow-based Creo Medical to find out more about one of the fastest growing companies in Wales.

David Davies MP and Peter Fox MS visited the Monmouthshire firm whose technology is reducing the need for surgical intervention for the treatment of bowel cancer.

With their headquarters shortly to double in size in order to meet the growing demands of the business, particularly in terms of manufacturing and training, the local representatives had the opportunity to see and hear for themselves the difference Creo is making globally, as well as question why patients in Wales are yet to benefit from the technology.

David Davies, MParliament for Monmouth and Secretary of State for Wales, said: “This is an exceptional Welsh business which is already transforming lives across the globe – with clearly a lot more still to come.

“I was especially struck by the difference they are making in changing the pathways for those presenting with lesions in the bowel. I’m acutely aware of what an ordeal surgical intervention for bowel cancer can mean for patients and so to see here a company on our doorstep leading globally on a progressive alternative in this way is magnificent.

“It is, of course, a shame that the Welsh NHS has not yet chosen to adopt this technology. I’d hate to think of Welsh patients being at a disadvantage in terms of access to cutting edge treatment.”

Creo Medical recently also announced partnerships with surgical robotics giants Intuitive and CMR.

Peter Fox, MS for Monmouth, said: “What Creo are doing is phenomenal – taking a concept that started from a garage all those years ago and turning it into something that is truly industry leading and making an enormous difference to so many all over the world.

“The combination of engineering and scientific brilliance was clear to see – and it’s exciting to see them turning the heads of some of the most well established Medtech companies in the World with what they are doing.”

Chris Hancock, founder of Creo Medical, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome our distinguished guests here today, show them around our HQ and introduce them to a range of technology which we are extremely proud to now see treating patients on a daily basis across the globe.

“We are hopeful patients in Wales can soon be amongst those to benefit and look forward to working with local representatives and decision makers in order to help facilitate just that.”

Creo had a successful 2022 with an eight-fold increase in the sales of their core electrosurgical products and technology. Over the same period, the number of physicians trained to use the device doubled to more than 450, with an increasing pipeline of future adopters for 2023.

by Staff January 30, 2023

British Army ‘in urgent need of recapitalisation’, defence minister … – South Wales Guardian

British Army ‘in urgent need of recapitalisation’, defence minister …  South Wales Guardian

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The British Army is in “urgent need of recapitalisation” but the Chancellor and the Prime Minister “get that”, a defence minister has said.

James Heappey’s comments came after the Conservative chairman of the Defence Select Committee pressed him on remarks reportedly made by a senior US general that the British Army is no longer regarded as a top-level fighting force.

According to Sky News, the US general privately told Defence Secretary Ben Wallace: “You haven’t got a tier one – it’s barely tier two.”

Speaking during defence questions in the Commons, Tobias Ellwood said: “Could I invite the minister to respond to comments from the United States, our closest security ally, which tally with the defence committee’s own findings that this conflict in Ukraine has exposed serious shortfalls in the war-fighting capability of the British Army?”

Mr Heappey replied: “I think everybody is clear. The Secretary of State has said many times, as have I and other ministerial colleagues, that serial under-investments in the Army over decades has led to the point where the Army is in urgent need of recapitalisation.

“The Chancellor and the Prime Minister get that and there is a budget coming.”

Shortly afterwards, Mr Wallace suggested the armed forces have been “hollowed out and underfunded”, but called on Labour to accept some responsibility for the situation.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey noted that when Labour left government in 2010, the British Army “stood at over 100,000 full-time troops and we were spending 2.5% of GDP on defence”.

“The serious hollowing out has happened since. Who does he think has been in charge over the last 13 years?” he asked.

Mr Wallace responded: “You only have to listen to the veterans on this side to understand their experience under a Labour government.

“Snatch Land Rovers – let’s remember that and all that awful mess as a result of the Labour government’s investment.

“If (Mr Healey) wants to be the next secretary of defence, he should come here and get off his chest the shortcomings that his former government did.

“I’m happy to say that we have hollowed out and underfunded. Will he do the same? Or will he hide behind petty party politics?”

Downing Street acknowledged there had been “underfunding” of the military but insisted that billions of pounds had been committed to equipment.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We certainly agree there has been underfunding and it’s right that we are putting billions more into our armed forces.”

In response to Mr Heappey’s comments, the spokesman said: “We recognise that the armed forces have not received the money needed in successive years.

“That’s why we put into place the £242 billion 10-year equipment plan and it’s why we raised the defence budget so we continue to be the largest defence budget in Europe.

“That investment is the biggest in the UK defence industry since the Cold War.”

by Staff January 30, 2023

Welsh business activity rises at quickest rate since June – South Wales Argus

Welsh business activity rises at quickest rate since June  South Wales Argus

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Welsh business activity has risen at its quickest rate since June according to the NatWest Wales Business Activity Index.

The index is seasonally adjusted and measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors.

It registered 52.0 in December, up from 49.8 in November.

This data signalled a modest uptick in business activity across the Welsh private sector at the end of the year. The rise in output was the fastest since June, with companies linking the expansion to greater client demand and a renewed increase in new business.

Welsh firms were the best performing of the 12 monitored UK areas and bucked the wider UK trend, which indicated a marginal contraction in output.

Welsh private sector firms recorded a return to growth in new business at the end of 2022, thereby ending a four-month sequence of contraction. Welsh businesses bucked the UK trend, with the average across the UK as a whole signalling a modest decline in new orders. Firms often stated that increased new business was due to stronger client demand.

The rise in new orders was only marginal, however.

Output expectations for the year ahead at Welsh private sector firms strengthened for the second month running in December.

Confidence reportedly stemmed from hopes of a pick up in client demand and investment in new products. The level of optimism was lower than the series and UK averages, however. Firms noted that efforts to keep costs down amid inflation concerns harmed expectations.

December data signalled broadly unchanged levels of employment across the Welsh private sector, as the respective seasonally adjusted index posted fractionally above the 50.0 no change mark. A fall in manufacturing staffing numbers was offset by job creation in the service sector. The UK average indicated a marginal contraction in workforce numbers.

Welsh private sector firms registered a slower fall in the level of outstanding business at the end of the year. The rate of decline was only marginal and the softest since May. The decrease in backlogs of work was largely linked to greater stability in supply chains which allowed firms to process incoming new business. That said, increased new order inflows led to the slower contraction.

The fall in incomplete business was slower than the UK average.

December data signalled another historically elevated rate of cost inflation at Welsh private sector firms. Increased cost burdens were linked to higher energy and material prices. Nonetheless, the pace of inflation eased for the third month running to the slowest since April 2021. Service sector firms recorded sharper price rises than their manufacturing counterparts.

Welsh private sector firms indicated a slightly slower uptick in costs compared to the UK average.

Welsh private sector firms signalled a marked rise in output charges at the end of 2022. Higher selling prices were often due to the pass-through of greater costs to clients, according to panellists. Although sharper than the long-run series average, the rate of charge inflation was the slowest since August 2021.That said, Welsh companies recorded the second-fastest rise in output prices of the 12 monitored UK areas, slower than the West Midlands only.

Kevin Morgan, NatWest Wales Regional Board, said: “Welsh firms ended the year on a promising note, as business activity and new orders returned to expansion territory in December.

“Modest upturns followed stronger demand conditions, with Wales the strongest performing monitored area of the UK.

“Nonetheless, cost pressures continued to impact business decisions, as employment was broadly unchanged amid cost cutting initiatives and reductions in temporary labour.

“Cost burdens and output charges continued to rise at historically elevated rates, as energy price hikes were passed through to customers. Inflationary pressures eased, however, amid reports of reductions in some key input prices.”

by Staff January 30, 2023

Football: Cwmamman United’s late comeback stuns league leaders – South Wales Guardian

Football: Cwmamman United’s late comeback stuns league leaders  South Wales Guardian

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This Ardal South West League match saw both sides desperate to get the three points, but for different reasons.

Pontyclun to reinforce their position at the top of the table while Cwm needed points to try and move away from the relegation dogfight that is beginning to form with six teams currently in the mix trying to avoid the bottom three.

It was Cwm who just about edged the first half, with Ryan Thomas coming close with two good efforts and Keiran Richards testing the defence while Ross Morgan and Charlie Davies were extremely effective in the middle of the park for Cwm. 

A good run in the 25th minute from Calem Rees saw him clipped as he surged towards goal and he composed himself to fire the penalty home for 1-0.

Pontyclun new signing Connor Shields then made it 1-1 in the 35th minute and the final 10 minutes to half time saw both sides probing to no avail with Rhys Griffiths and Leon Croucher having excellent defensive matches.

In the second half Cwm saw themselves under pressure for a prolonged period and another new signing Jorge Crofts gave Pontyclun the lead in the 56th minute.

Cwm had to defend strongly and Cory Saunders and Ronan Templeton worked hard, and Cwm were also grateful to an excellent stop by keeper Kai Rees.

With it looking like Cwm could not get back into the game, they had a bit of luck when a good run by Kyle Ashford saw his cross come over and caught the Pontyclun keeper out as it floated into the far corner.

Cwm were in overdrive and within two minutes a perfectly weighted ball from sub Harrison Thomas saw Ryan Thomas arriving perfectly and calmly picking his spot for one of his trademark key goals and a 3-2 lead.

Cwm introduced Sion Williams and new signing Ethan Taylor for the final 10 minutes and the team held out for an excellent win as Pontyclun searched for an equaliser.

Paul Lewis and his management team will have been delighted and it provides Cwm with a strong platform to build upon.

This Friday, 3 Feburary, Cwmamman have another tough match in the Ardal South West League as they play third-placed Mumbles Rangers at 19.15pm at Grenig Park.

by Staff January 30, 2023

Junior Football: Drefach Under 14s make a winning return to league … – South Wales Guardian

Junior Football: Drefach Under 14s make a winning return to league …  South Wales Guardian

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After a gap of six weeks from their last league fixture, Drefach welcomed Pontarddulais to the Gwendraeth.

Both teams were keen to get back into the routine and an exciting game was on display for the supporters.

It was a tussle at the start and both teams were trying to stamp their authority on the pitch.

The break came after 20 minutes from a well struck free kick from the visitors putting them ahead.

Drefach responded immediately and were awarded a penalty that was saved by the outstanding Bont keeper.

The equaliser then came from a set piece that saw Elliot Morgan sweetly strike low into the visitors’ net.

Attacks were still plenty from both teams and Iwan Bull, Owain Jones and Ryan Roberts all getting on the score sheet.

With goals a plenty it was Drefach who looked the fitter and pulled away with goals from Jayden Davies and a brace each for Morgan and Bull.

With the visitors running out of steam the game was settled with a penalty from The returning Siencyn Rhys after a long break off from injury.

Overall it was a good game of football with a lot of cobwebs blown away after such a long break.

by Staff January 30, 2023

Chepstow endoscope business secures £5.2m investment – South Wales Argus

Chepstow endoscope business secures £5.2m investment  South Wales Argus

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Chepstow-based medical device business IQ Endoscopes has secured a £5.2 million investment in a round led by BGF – one of the largest and most experienced investors in the UK and Ireland – alongside existing investor the Development Bank of Wales and a consortium of investors.

The funding will help to support the development and roll-out of IQ Endoscope’s ground-breaking medical device which has the potential to revolutionise the early diagnosis of a range of cancers and other gastro-intestinal conditions.

IQ Endoscopes has created a single-use endoscopy device which is not only cost effective and scalable but also sustainable.

The company was recently supported with grant from Cardiff and Vale Health Board, and received backing from the Cardiff Capital Region Challenge Fund to create a new recycling strategy for the product

Dr Patrick Ward-Booth has more than 40 years of clinical experience in the endoscopy field, while CTO Andrew Miller has a background in automotive engineering which has been applied to the design and manufacturing of the company’s products.

The business was launched in 2017 and has raised £5.9 million to date, with seed funding and subsequent investment raised from investors including the Development Bank of Wales.

Of the 70 million endoscopy procedures currently completed each year, 98 per cent are performed with reusable devices which require decontamination and reprocessing after each use, which is both costly and reduces patient capacity, as well as posing the risk of cross contamination.

IQ Endoscopes aims to add much needed capacity and flexibility to help the healthcare system meet patient demand.

Matt Ginn, CEO at IQ Endoscopes, said: “Regulatory bodies such as the FDA are increasingly encouraging single use endoscopes as a means of improving patient safety and ensuring the early detection of GI diseases.

“Single use endoscopes not only eliminate all threat of cross contamination between procedures, but also increase throughput of patients and allow greater access to treatment on a global scale.

“This latest financial backing will allow us to bring our disruptive technology to market, making it available to patients undergoing vital treatments and procedures as soon as possible. Furthermore, we can continue our organisational expansion in South Wales and ensure we scale the organisation in line with commercialisation plans.”

Tim Rea, investor at BGF, said: “This was an exciting opportunity to back an early-stage medical device business with a truly innovative technology that has the potential to make a significant positive impact on a strained area of the healthcare system.

“The team at IQ Endoscopes are extremely committed to improving outcomes for patients and healthcare providers the world over. This investment will enable IQ Endoscopes to complete its remaining developmental milestones against a clear roadmap towards its next stage of growth.”

Dr Richard Thompson, senior investment executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “Matt Ginn and the team at IQ Endoscopes have made impressive progress. As a PhD materials scientist, I’ve been particularly impressed at the quality of the products the team has developed.

“As an initial investor into IQ Endoscopes, we’re delighted to see the progress they’ve made, and to have made a second med-tech equity co-investment with the ventures team at BGF, increasing our stake in this exciting company.”

by Staff January 30, 2023

Guidance for parents as teachers set to strike across England and … – South Wales Argus

Guidance for parents as teachers set to strike across England and …  South Wales Argus

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The Department for Education has issued guidance for schools and parents as thousands of teachers across England and Wales are set to strike.

The National Education Union (NEU) has voted to take industrial action on seven days across February and March.

This is when and where NEU affiliated teachers are on strike in the next two months:

  • Wednesday, February 1 – England and Wales
  • Tuesday, February 14 – Wales
  • Tuesday, February 28 – The following English regions: Northern, North West, Yorkshire & Humber
  • Wednesday, March 1 – The following English regions: East Midlands, West Midlands, Eastern
  • Wednesday, March 15 – England and Wales
  • Thursday, March 16 – England and Wales

The Department for Education has issued its guidance for parents who may be affected by the strikes.

They said: “Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their school-registered child of compulsory school age attends school regularly.

“Therefore, all school-registered children of compulsory school age in classes open on days when strike action is being taken are still required to attend school, regardless of parental choice or the closure of other classes in the school.”

The guidance also says that there is “no express right for a member of the public who is affected by a lawful strike to receive financial compensation.”

The Department for Education said that while schools will “take all reasonable steps to keep the school open for as many pupils as possible” to remain open, some may be more seriously affected on strike days than others.

Some schools may have to restrict attendance in some year groups, but the advice is that schools prioritise vulnerable children, children of critical works and children who are preparing for exams.

by Staff January 30, 2023

New South Wales shortlists 16 power projects for development – Power Technology

New South Wales shortlists 16 power projects for development  Power Technology

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The clean energy projects will have the capacity to power nearly 1.6 million homes. Credit: Andreas Gücklhorn / Unsplash.

The Government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has shortlisted 16 projects in its first renewables tender auction.

The projects have more than 4.3GW of combined power generation and long-duration storage capacity.

They were selected under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which aims to build at least 12GW of renewable capacity and 2GW of duration storage in the state by 2030.

The final projects will now be reviewed by AEMO Services to determine their potential for delivering financial value to NSW households and businesses.

It is estimated that the shortlisted projects will have the capacity to power nearly 1.6 million homes in the region.

NSW Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said: “This is a promising start to the A$32bn ($22.7bn) in private capital we expect to see through our ten-year schedule of rolling competitive tenders.

“The state’s nation-leading roadmap will ensure that NSW households and businesses have clean, reliable, and more affordable electricity for decades to come.”

Following the assessment, the applicants of selected projects will be given long-term energy service agreements to help modernise the state’s electricity system.

The shortlisted projects can submit their financial value bids until 10 February this year.

Earlier this month, Shell Energy acquired the development rights for Wallerawang 9, a 500MW battery energy storage system in NSW.

The project will be located at the former Wallerawang Power Station site near Lithgow.

It is being developed by asset management firm Greenspot as a master-planned, multi-use precinct and centre of economic growth.

Last month, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Australia achieved financial close for the Walla Walla solar farm in Riverina, NSW.

The 300MWac solar facility will be linked to the national energy grid once it has begun operations.

Its development is expected to create up to 250 construction jobs.

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