Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Wednesday, October 29)

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That’s all from us this evening! Thank you so much for joining us for today’s blog. Make sure to tune in tomorrow for all the breaking news and traffic updates in Wales. Good night.

Welsh neighbourhood given dispersal order for Halloween

A Welsh neighbourhood plagued by anti-social behaviour issues has been designated for a dispersal order by police ahead of Halloween. The dispersal order, affecting the area covering Gorseinon Bus Station and Melin Mynach Park in Gorseinon, will be in place from 12pm on Friday, October 31 until 12pm on Sunday November 2, South Wales Police has said.

It will give police extra powers, enabling officers to ask people to leave the area for 48 hours and confiscate items such as alcohol. Read more here.

UK NEWS: ‘Value for money’ concern raised over Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge

Parliament’s spending watchdog has raised concerns over the value for money of Prince Andrew’s living arrangements amid a furore over his “peppercorn” rent at Royal Lodge.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has written to the Treasury and the Crown Estate asking them to explain the rationale behind the lease on the 30-room mansion by November 28. Continue reading here.

Care home at centre of police probe forced to close

A care home in Wales at the centre of a police probe has been forced to close by its local authority. In September it emerged a police investigation into potential neglect had begun at Arthur Jenkins care home in Blaenavon following a critical inspection report which led to Torfaen Borough Council intervening and halting new admissions to the home at Coedcae Road.

This week it’s been confirmed that the care home is now set to close for good with all remaining residents expected to be relocated to other care homes. Continue reading here.

UK NEWS: Traitors fans “fume” after first face-to-face murder

Celebrity Traitors fans fumed “big mistake” as the latest star was booted off the show on Wednesday (October 29). Earlier this month, Claudia Winkleman returned to the Scottish Highlands, as 19 celebrities hoped to lie, betray and backstab their way to winning £100,000 for a charity of their choice.

Traitors Alan Carr, Cat Burns and Jonathan Ross have remained undetected so far, with ten innocent Faithfuls being eliminated from the game. Find out who the latest celebrity to be “murdered” was here.

Synagogue attack ‘hero’ killed by single shot

Synagogue attack victim Melvin Cravitz died from multiple knife wounds inflicted by terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie, Manchester Coroner’s Court heard.

Mr Cravitz, 66, a father of three, was attacked by Syrian-born UK citizen Al-Shamie, 35, who began his assault by driving his Kia Picanto at security staff and the external gates of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue at 9.30 am on October 2.

Read more here.

Swansea drawing with City

It’s currently 1-1 at Swansea.com stadium, with the Jacks kicking things off in the 12th minute. However, it looks like City are leading the game, with 71% possession and nine shots to Swansea’s one. For all the updates, click here.

Protests against Palestine Action ban to take place in Wales

Campaigners seeking to lift the ban on Palestine Action are planning demonstrations across Wales as part of a nationwide movement spanning 18 towns and cities. Campaign group Defend Our Juries has announced protests will take place in Cardiff and Aberystwyth in November.

Event organisers estimate that around 1,500 people could join in the action next month, according to PA reports. Continue reading here.

Four injured in three vehicle crash on major road

Four people were taken to hospital following a crash involving three vehicles on a major road in Powys. Reports were made around 1.10pm on Sunday, October 29 of a collision on the A470 and emergency services attended the scene.

The road was closed for over three hours between Commins Coch and Carno whilst air ambulance delivered “advanced critical care support” to those injured in the crash. Read on here.

Bus strikes across Wales set to go ahead

Major disruption is expected across south west Wales as a series of bus strikes are set to go ahead, following the rejection of a new pay offer by workers at First Cymru.

Members of the Unite union voted to reject the company’s latest pay proposal. That offer had previously ked the union to suspend strike action that was due to take place on October 22. However, it is understood that the deal was ultimately turned down because it did not include back pay owed to staff. Read more here.

Weather forecast for tomorrow

Ahead of tomorrow, the Met Office predicts a “grey” day. We are in for a settled start in Wales but it will become increasingly grey as cloud builds. Outbreaks of rain possible from late morning with winds strengthening and coastal gales in the west by evening. Maximum temperature are set around 14 °C.

Swansea take on Man City in Carabao Cup clash

Tonight, Swansea FC will be taking on Premier League giants Manchester City, at Swansea.com stadium for the latest Carabao Cup clash. Set to kick off at 19.45pm, traffic is reportedly slow in the area.

WalesOnline will be liveblogging the event, keeping you up to date on everything from team news to the score. Follow along here.

Former hockey coach found guilty of wife’s murder

A former Wales under-18s hockey coach, who claimed his interior designer wife had stabbed herself to death, has now been convicted of her murder. Mohamed Samak, 43, denied murdering Joanne Samak, 49, claiming he woke up at around 3am on July 1 last year to see her stabbing herself at their home in Chestnut Spinney, Droitwich Spa.

Read the full story here.

Road closure prompts heavy congestion

The A55 Westbound exit slip road is currently closed, with queueing traffic reported due to broken down lorry at J20 B5113 Princes Drive (Colwyn Bay). Congestion to before J22 (Old Colwyn). Drivers urged to allow for extra time.

Ex-MP says Labour voters are ‘lending’ their votes to Plaid Cymru

Former Labour MP Wayne David has written a blog suggesting there is only one reason Labour was trounced in Caerphilly during last week’s by-election.

Mr David, who served as the Caerphilly MP from 2001 to 2024, said it’s “vitally important” to understand the context behind Labour’s historic loss, claiming it can be boiled down to Labour voters “lending” their vote to Plaid Cymru in order to stop Reform UK winning seats in Wales.

Read more here.

Road cleared, following accident

According to traffic monitoring system, Inrix, Neath Road has now cleared and traffic is reportedly easing, following an accident earlier this afternoon. The incident has cleared on A4067 Neath Road Southbound between the B4625 and A48 Class Road (Wychtree Roundabout).

175-year-old Welsh pub named one of the best in Britain

Pontypridd’s The Bunch of Grapes has achieved yet another accolade. The gastropub, found on Ynysangharad Road a stone’s throw from the town’s Memorial Park, has scooped many prizes over the past decade including being named AA Pub of the Year and listed on The Good Food Guide’s Cosiest Pubs.

Now it’s earned a place on a new list published by The Good Food Guide that celebrates what they describe as the “nation’s thriving appetite for genuine pubs with proper food and proper beer”. Continue reading here.

“Serious collision” closes road

South Wales Police are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the A4067 heading towards Swansea from Castle Bingo.

Both lanes are currently closed for this section, with officers confirming that the road is expected to remain closed for some time. Motorists are asked to please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible.

Congestion on Welsh routes

Traffic Wales South have issued multiple warnings of congestion across Wales, with drivers advised to allow for extra travel time. The following routes are affected:

• A470 Northbound Coryton – Nantgarw
• A4232 Northbound A48 Interchange – M4 J33 Capel Llanilltern
• M4 Westbound J24 Coldra – J26 Malpas

Death of Welsh mum ‘murdered by son’ has caused ‘unimaginable loss’

A mum whose death led to a murder investigation had “a heart full of love and kindness”. Angela Shellis, 45, was found dead in Prestatyn last week.

Angela’s son Tristan Thomas Roberts, aged 18, of Coniston Drive, Prestatyn, has been charged with her murder and appeared at Mold Crown Court today. A trial is scheduled to take place next year. Continue reading here.

Traffic update in South Wales

Here’s the latest on traffic conditions across South Wales as of 2.55pm:

• A487 Main Street, Solva Pembrokeshire: Traffic is slow and vehicles are taking turns in both directions between The Cambrian Inn and Penyraber due to a recent landslip. The road has now reopened but is operating under temporary traffic lights, so delays are likely.

• A547 Abergele Road, Denbighshire: The road is partially blocked in both directions near Borth Crossroads following an accident. Expect slow-moving traffic in the area.

• A55 Britannia Bridge, Gwynedd: Strong winds are affecting the stretch between J9 A487 (Treborth) and J8 A5 (Llanfair P.G.). The matrix sign is set to 30 mph—please drive with caution.

‘Illegal workers’ arrested at Welsh barbers

Three “illegal workers” were apprehended at a Gwynedd barbershop during an immigration clampdown. The Home Office reported that Immigration Enforcement made over 590 illegal working arrests in Wales and conducted more than 1,100 visits from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025.

This represented a 98% increase in arrests and a 95% increase in visits compared to the previous year. Read more here.

Fallen pole cleared from road

A road has reopened, following an incident earlier this afternoon. Emergency services were tending to a fallen telegraph pole in the Chepstow area. Gwent Police have confirmed that the road, close to Davauden Court and the B4293, is now open to drivers.

Asda is bringing back a popular £1 rule

Asda is reviving its popular £1 café meal deal for the over-60s this winter, aiming to help older customers cope with the rising cost of living and social isolation during the colder months. From 1 November until the end of February, anyone aged 60 or over can enjoy soup, bread, and unlimited tea or coffee for £1 in any of the supermarket’s 212 cafés across the UK.

Last year, Asda served more than half a million £1 meals to pensioners.

The retailer said the response showed how vital the scheme was for older people facing financial pressures and loneliness. Read on

The five Welsh pubs named the best in the UK

Five Welsh pubs have been named amongst the best in the UK in The Good Food Guide’s first ever list of 100 Best Pubs in Britain.

The 100-strong list sees Carmarthenshire’s much-lauded Inn at the Sticks land in the top 10, at number nine, while Felin Fach Griffin just outside Brecon is the next highest entry.

Click here to find out what other Welsh pubs made the list.

Cardiff bar hit by burglary

A once popular Cardiff bar has been burgled with thousands of pounds worth of equipment having been taken, according to police. Police were seen at the former Venue bar on Merthyr Road on Friday morning after reports that £10,000 worth of construction tools had been stolen from the premises.

Construction work had been ongoing inside the unit after Amber Taverns bought it at auction back in June.

Work was underway to turn the site into a community pub, which Amber Taverns hope to call The Tin Mill – a homage to the community spirit generated by the former tin mines.

Read more

Police investigating fraud in Newport

Gwent Police Officers carrying out a fraud investigation in the Newport area are trying to identify this man who may be able to assist with enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, send us a direct message on social media, or via our website, quoting log reference: 2500330782.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online or by phone: 0800 555 111

‘Liar and conman’ left people’s homes in state of ‘utter devastation’

A conman falsely told people they were entitled to government grants for home improvements but carried out the work himself and left customers’ homes in “ruins” and in a state of “utter devastation”a court heard.

Alan Pearson, 65, “lulled his victims into a false sense of security” over a six month period between March and September 2018 by telling them they would receive discounted fees for external wall installation at their homes. He also put pressure on customers by telling them government grants were not available for long.

Read the court report here

‘Dirty, stinking’ flyippers caught red-handed dumping lorry load of rubbish at Welsh beauty spot

A man has captured the moment he confronted two fly-tippers dumping furniture down a hillside, near a popular Welsh beauty spot. The pair were spotted throwing parts of a sofa from a white van on the side of the busy A465, opposite Spring Valley Lakes in Glynneath.

Watch it here.

Two fans banned from football after incidents at Cardiff City v Newport County match

Two men have received football banning orders stopping them from attending any matches for three years following disorder at the Cardiff City vs Newport County game at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, October 7.

Gavin Fernquest, from Newport, was clearly seen on CCTV walking up and down steps within the away stand whilst waving an orange smoke bomb above his head following Newport’s winning goal. Fernquest attended Cardiff Magistrates Court on Friday October 24 where he pleaded guilty to the offence of possession of a pyrotechnic device inside the stadium. He denied taking the item into the ground.

Ashley Collins, from Aberaman, Aberdare, jumped the barrier and ran across the pitch following the Newport goal and he was apprehended by stewards close-by. He was later found to have cocaine in his possession whilst in custody.

Read the full story, here.