Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Wednesday, November 19)

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Weather forecast for Thursday

Another cold day has been forecast in Wales tomorrow.

A Met Office spokesman said: "On Thursday, there will be ongoing wintry showers in the west. Dry further east with plenty of sunny spells. Cold, but less of a wind-chill effect than Wednesday, with the breeze moderating throughout the day. Maximum temperature 7 °C."

Reform UK's only Senedd member has been suspended for using racial slur

Reform UK's only Senedd member has been suspended from the Welsh Parliament after using racist language in a message which broke rules about the standards MSs are expected to follow. Laura Anne Jones defected to Reform UK from the Conservatives in the summer.

The investigation by the independent standards commissioner and the Senedd's cross-party standards committee was tasked with looking into three claims against Ms Jones; falsifying expenses, unfair dismissal of a staff member and use of racist language. Only the latter was upheld.

Read more

Major north Wales route remains closed

A55 North Wales Expressway Westbound remains closed following a crash from J7A Glan Menai Junction Llanfair P.G to A55 J7 / A5152 (Gaerwen).

One lane (of two) remains closed on the opposite side.

Diversion route is via the A5 Holyhead Road.

Teen drowned after slipping into river

A 15-year-old schoolgirl drowned after slipping into the River Severn while playing with her friends during a summer heatwave, an inquest has heard.

Holli Smallman's friends desperately tried to save her after she lost her footing in a fast-flowing stretch of the River Severn close to a weir in Welshpool, mid-Wales. While the group were paddling and playing in the water, Holli - described as not being a strong swimmer - slipped and disappeared beneath the surface.

Read the full report here

Finished Road Reopened

A4051 Malpas Road Eastbound has re-opened, with traffic easing, after an earlier crash from M4 J26 (Malpas Road) to Goodrich Crescent.

'Dangerous conditions' reported as snow hits Wales

Police have warned of dangerous driving conditions as snow falls across Wales. Dyfed-Powys Police said road conditions are extremely poor across B4329 New Inn - Crosswell.

⚠️ Road conditions are extremely poor across B4329 New Inn - Crosswell due to Snow

Please take an alternative route if possible or plan extra time into your journey, and drive safely.

Thank you.

For the latest traffic information, follow @TrafficWalesN or @TrafficWalesS pic.twitter.com/wdOfSDs8ZO

-Dyfed-Powys Police (@DyfedPowys) November 19, 2025

Malpas road at standstill after crash

Malpas Road in Newport is blocked with queueing traffic after a crash this evening. Police were called to the scene and they confirmed there has been no injuries.

Severe delays remain as a vehicle is awaiting recovery.

Dragons slam WRU's 'unacceptable' plan

The Dragons ownership group insist the Welsh Rugby Union's demand for complete control of the professional game is unacceptable to them.

Under the proposed new structure the WRU want to reduce the number of professional clubs from four to three with one based in Cardiff, on in the east and one in the west. This means the Dragons are highly likely to survive but the WRU are asking the funding directors to continue to put their own money in, but stripping them of any control over the rugby side of the business while they also want to centrally contract every player.

The Dragons say that is "not viable or desirable."

Pensioner wrongly claimed £22k in benefits

Former NHS worker Denise Ludbrook fraudulently claimed to have no interest in any property other than the one she lived in - either in the UK or abroad - when claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit, council tax reduction, and employment and support allowance.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the Department for Work and Pensions began to investigate the defendant after receiving a tip-off that she had a second property in Portugal.

Investigators found that Ludbrook and her brother each had a half share in a property which, at 2023 prices, was worth £120,000. The property had originally been bought by the defendant's mother and sibling before the mother's half had passed to Ludbrook.

Read on

Mum of girl violently killed in their home makes plea

The mother of a 17-year-old girl allegedly murdered by a teenage boy has urged parents to look out for their children's safety and paid tribute to her daughter. Lainie Williams was pronounced dead at her home in Cefn Fforest, Blackwood, on Thursday, November 13, having sustained injuries. Mum Rhian Stephens, 38, also sustained injuries.

Mother-of-two Rhian was taken to hospital, but has since been discharged. In an emotional post, she said she was "still coming to terms with the tragic loss of my beautiful girl Lainie Lea Louise."She also asked parents to keep a close eye on their children, adding :"I'd never want another mum to experience this type of pain."

Read more

Major North Wales route closed after crash

A55 North Wales Expressway has shut in both directions and there is queueing traffic due to accident from J7 A5152 (Gaerwen, Gaerwen) to J7A Glan Menai Junction (Llanfairpwllgwyngyll).

NHS worker sexually assaulted two patients

An NHS worker has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two patients at a Welsh hospital. Ieuan Crump, 27, worked as a trainee health worker at the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran in August, 2021. Crump, of Gwerthonor Lane, Gilfach, Caerphilly, assaulted two different patients on different occasions while performing bladder scans as part of his role.

During a trial at Cardiff Crown Court the jury heard evidence from one of the victims who said Crump sexually assaulted her with his finger in the presence of a female health worker who had been trying to insert a catheter into the patient’s bladder.

Read the full story here

Man found dead at house after police called to property

A man was discovered dead at a property in Ruthin, according to police. On Saturday morning, officers were sent to a house in the town following reports of concern for a man's safety.

Emergency services, including police and paramedics, descended on the Well Street area, with reports suggesting that the road was temporarily closed while they attended to the situation. The coroner has been notified and police have stated there are no suspicious circumstances.

WRU has given the four Welsh regions 6 weeks to decide future

The Welsh Rugby Union has given the four Welsh regions until the end of the year to agree upon their futures.

The governing body want to reach consensus on how to reach three clubs by the end of December. Should they not reach that, they will then immediately go out to a tender process to whittle four down to three.

The WRU announced their intention to go down to three teams earlier in the season, after a consultation process. They hope to reach a decision on who the three teams will be by the end of the current campaign, with WRU director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin confirming the timeline in an interview with S4C this week.

Read on

Police vow to 'uncover the truth' behind disappearance of missing man

Police have said they are committed to "uncovering the truth" behind the disappearance of a man who vanished two years ago.

Ricky Harris was last seen in Aberdare on November 18, 2023. In the time which has followed, a detective inspector for South Wales Police explained how it has mobilised "extensive resources" to try and find him.

Click here to read more.

Traffic round-up

Here's a round-up of how it's looking on the roads around Wales at the moment.

• In Haverfordwest, there's slow traffic on A4076 Dredgman Hill northbound at A487 Merlin's Hill (Merlins Bridge roundabout).
• In Wrexham, there's slow traffic on A483 Wrexham Bypass southbound at A5 (Halton roundabout).
• There's strong winds on A55 Britannia Bridge between junction nine A487 (Treborth) and junction eight A5 (Llanfair P.G.). The speed matrix sign is set to 30mph and advisory restrictions are in place for caravans, motorbikes and cyclists.
• In Newport, traffic has returned to normal, with traffic lights now functioning, on B4596 Caerleon Road in both directions at Duckpool Road.

Health board issues urgent appeal

A health board in Wales is asking family and friends not to visit their loved ones in hospital if they are feeling unwell.

Hywel Dda University Health Board, providing NHS services in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, has issued an urgent appeal.

Click here to read more.

Tonight's weather forecast

The Met Office has forecast the weather for Wales this evening.

It writes on its website: "Blustery, wintry showers persisting in the west, bringing a chance of icy patches and accumulating snow on hills.

"Clear skies and lighter winds in the east, allowing a widespread frost.

"Minimum temperature -5 °C."

Traffic light failure in Newport

In Newport, there's slow traffic due to traffic light failure on B4596 Caerleon Road in both directions at Duckpool Road.

Broken down vehicle blocks road

In Denbighshire, one lane is blocked due to a broken down vehicle on A55 North Wales Expressway eastbound near junction 28 B5429 (Rhuallt / Waen).

Traffic is coping well.

Major update on two-month bus strike set to start tomorrow

Lengthy bus strikes which were due to begin in Wales tomorrow have been suspended, as First Cymru has brought a new offer to the table.

Unite, the trade union for drivers and employees, said a strike was due to take place from November 20 until January 21, 2026, unless First could "fix" the situation by revising its offer.

It was due to affect services in Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan.

Click here to read more.

M4 crash live updates as drivers face motorway delays

An accident has taken place on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge eastbound.

It has taken place from junction 23 M48 to junction 22 M49.

It is resulting in slow moving traffic in the area.

Click here to read more.

Accident creates delays

In Cowen, Denbighshire, there's slow traffic due to an accident on A5104 in both directions from B5436 to Ffordd Prenol.

'Well alight' car fire takes place in Cardiff

A car was "well alight" in Cardiff this morning, causing traffic delays.

A statement from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service read: "We received a call at approximately 8.35am to reports of a vehicle fire at Riverside, Cardiff.

"Crews and an appliance from Cardiff Central attended the scene and extinguished one well alight vehicle, using one hose reel jet and breathing apparatus.

"The stop message was received around 8.58am."

Delays due to level crossing failure

There's reportedly long delays due to level crossing failure on Michaelston Road, St Fagans in both directions at the level crossing.

Reduced train service

Transport for Wales says there's a reduced service on its services between Wrexham Central and Bidston due to shortage of trains.

Part of M4 to be closed overnight for bridge repair

The Prince of Wales Bridge will be closed overnight as works are carried out.

The closure, which will affect the eastbound side of the road, will take place between 10pm on Wednesday night and 6am on Thursday morning.

There will be different diversion routes in place, and weight restrictions for the M48 Severn Bridge will be lifted during the time of the disruption.

Click here to read more.

Accident blocks road

In Caernarfon, Bethel Road is partially blocked in both directions, resulting in slow traffic due to an accident at Ael Y Garth.

Stena Line cancels services between Fishguard and Rosslare

Stena Line has cancelled all services between Fishguard and Rosslare due to poor weather conditions.