Hello, and welcome to Wales Online's live blog for Wednesday, November 15. 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.
Big queues on major city route
A major city road has slowed to a crawl of late. But action is being taken to try to get it moving again, and end drivers' frustrations.
Serious crash
A serious crash has completely blocked the A4067 in the Swansea Valley. Police have said the stretch is likely to be closed for some time
Sex attack at bus stop
A man targeted a drunk and vulnerable woman at a bus stop and subjected her to a 22-minute long sex attack, a court has heard. Pensioner Paul McGrath only stopped when members of the public intervened. Read the full story here.
Elderly woman hit by Audi
A 91-year-old woman has been left with life-threatening injuries after she was hit by a car in Risca. Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses following the collision in Cromwell Road, near to the Texaco service station. Read the full story here.
Delays at the Brynglas tunnels
Traffic sensors are showing delays on M4 Brynglas Tunnels Westbound before J26 A4051 (Malpas Road). Travel time is 40 minutes.
Presiding officer explains GB News ban
The presiding officer of the Senedd has said she banned GB News not because of its editorial or political views but because of comments made by Laurence Fox. In a speech to the Senedd she said she knew quoting his comments in the chamber would result in her being targeted too and told Conservative politicians: "Don't expect me to tolerate it".
Further second home clampdown
Another Welsh council has announced it is considering a council tax premium on owners of second and empty homes. Newport City Council is considering plans to impose higher tax premiums on those who have second and empty properties in the city.
The local authority is considering a proposal this week to ask people's views on introducing the premium which it says is aimed at tackling demand for affordable housing which is currently outstripping the number of available homes in Newport. The council says more than 450 households were in temporary accommodation as of March this year and that there are more than 9,000 people registered for social housing. However it says there were just 686 new social housing lettings in 2021-22. You can see that here.
Freddie Flintoff announces major career move after horror Top Gear crash left him with severe injuries
Freddie Flintoff has landed a new job nearly a year on from the near-fatal car crash that left him with severe injuries while filming an episode of Top Gear.
The cricketer-turned-presenter was driving an open-topped three-wheeled car at 130mph around the show's test track last December when it flipped over, with a lack of airbag in the vehicle meaning he suffered facial scars as well as several broken ribs as his face was dragged along the track.
Crash between car and cyclist shuts roundabout in Bridgend
A busy roundabout in Bridgend has been closed in all three directions after a crash between a cyclist and a car. South Wales Police has said they are at the scene of a crash on Brackla Way in Bridgend. The roundabout is closed where it meets Simonstone Road.
The closure is said to stretch southbound from the crematorium to Singeltons Cars. But the northbound carriageway remains opened.
Traffic can travel through Brackla to Bridgend. The road is expected to remain closed for "some time", the police force has added. They have advised motorists to avoid the area and find alternative routes.
In a statement issued later in the afternoon, South Wales Police confirmed that they were called to the scene after receiving reports of the road traffic collision at around 11.55am. They added that the collision involved a car and a cyclist, the latter of which has sustained "serious" injuries.
A spokesperson for the police force said: "The cyclist has sustained serious injuries and he has been conveyed to hospital. The road remains closed and enquiries are ongoing."
Click here to follow our live blog on the incident.
School warns parents they could be banned from site if bad behaviour continues
The head teacher of a Valleys primary school has written a letter to parents of pupils informing them that they could be banished from the school site if alleged bad behaviour continues.
Mrs Roberts, head teacher at Maes Y Coed Primary School in Pontypridd, wrote to all parents on Friday in a bid to stop incidents of “accusatory language” and “intimidating behaviour” on the school premises.
Rishi Sunak faces questions during today's PMQs
"We are absolutely committed to stopping the small boats," Rishi Sunak has said during today's PMQs.
He also said that the government is working on a new treaty with Rwanda that will be finalised "in light of today's judgement".
Man seriously injured after alleged hit and run
Officers are appealing for information after a 40-year-old man was taken to hospital following a crash in Newport.
Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses after the incident on East Dock Road at around 6.50pm on Thursday, November 9.
The police force was called to the scene after receiving reports of a crash between a car and a pedestrian.
Click here to read the full story.
Concern as 32-year-old woman goes missing
Police are concerned for the welfare of a 32-year-old woman who is missing from Abercynon.
South Wales Police has issued an appeal over the whereabouts of Samantha Roate, who was last seen in the Pontyclun area at around 4pm on Monday, November 13.
Click here to read the full story.
Murder trial of man who was run over and dragged more than 200 metres begins
A man accused of murdering a delivery driver by hitting him with his own van after allegedly stealing the vehicle is due to stand trial today.
The alleged victim later died in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Christopher Elgifari denies the murder of Mark Lang during an incident in Cardiff on March 28.
The 31-year-old was initially charged with attempted murder after Mr Lang, 54, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales.
But the victim died on April 16 as a result of his injuries. Elgifari, of Cwrt Yr Esgid, Aberdare, has pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery.
He has admitted manslaughter and theft but the Crown does not accept those pleas and he is due to go on trial at Cardiff Crown Court with the case expected to last three weeks.
Torrential rain warning for Wales issued by the Met Office
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain in parts of Wales. On Wednesday, November 15, the forecaster predicted that heavy rain may cause some flooding and disruption to travel during most of Thursday, November 16.
The heavy downpour warning will be in place from midnight tonight (Wednesday) until 6pm on Thursday. UK areas that will be affected from the extreme weather condition include London and southeast England, southwest England and parts of Wales.
Click here to read the full weather warning.
Former Swansea pub could be turned into flats
A popular old Swansea pub could be turned into flats. Swansea Council has received a pre-planning application, still in its very early stages, asking it to consider a bid to transform the old Brooklands pub along Oxford Street into nine one-bed flats.
Click here to read the full story.
Supreme Court rules UK government's Rwanda policy as unlawful
Government plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda are unlawful, the Supreme Court has ruled.
The Guardian's political editor, Pippa Crerar, has reported on X: "Lord Reed, president of the Supreme Court, agrees with Court of Appeal ruling that there is a real risk of claims being wrongly determined in Rwanda, resulting in asylum seekers being wrongly returned to their country of origin."
BREAKING: Supreme Court rules that it would be *unlawful* to send asylum seekers to Rwanda in a major blow to the government.
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) November 15, 2023
Welsh Government responds to JCVI's advise on chickenpox vaccine
Yesterday the JCVI announced it was recommending the NHS across the UK to start offering the chickenpox vaccine to children aged 12 and 18 months.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “As with all JCVI advice, the recommendation will be considered by Ministers in all UK nations. The Minister for Health and Social Services will consider this advice in parallel with the wider changes to the childhood immunisation schedule previously advised by the Committee.”
To find out more about the little known signs and symptoms of chickenpox in children, click here.
Traffic easing on the M4 in Swansea
Traffic is now said to be easing on the M4 in Swansea.
There was an accident on M4 Eastbound from J47 A48 ( Penllergaer / Swansea West Services) to J46 A48 Clasemont Road (Llangyfelach ).
Lane two of two was blocked at J45, says Inrix.
Welcome to Wrexham season 3 officially confirmed
Welcome to Wrexham fans will be delighted to know that the FX documentary series is getting a third season. The announcement was made ahead of the series two finale, which is expected to drop on Hulu and Disney+ in the UK on Wednesday and will see the football club face "either promotion or the dreaded playoff".
Click here to read the full story.
Queueing traffic on the M4 in Swansea following road traffic collision
There is currently queueing traffic on the M4 in Swansea this morning due to an accident.
The road traffic collision happened on the hard shoulder on M4 Eastbound at J45 A4067 (Ynysforgan).
There was congestion to J47 ( Penllergaer / Swansea West Services).
Lane two of two was blocked, but all lanes have since been re-opened.
Update 08:18
— Traffic Wales South (@TrafficWalesS) November 15, 2023
All lanes open.
https://t.co/v5qqfb98BB
Amanda Blanc's stark WRU resignation letter in full
Amanda Blanc's resignation letter and leaving speech from her role as Professional Rugby Board chair has been published in full as part of the independent review into the Welsh Rugby Union.
She stood down from the WRU board and her PRB role in November, 2021, having been in the post for less than two years.
Following her departure, she spoke about the misogyny she had faced during her time at the Union.
Click here to read the resignation letter and speech in full.
Concern as the number of people getting Covid and flu jabs falls
The Welsh Government is urging for people who qualify to come forward and get their cold and flu vaccine after a "slow uptake" this winter season.
According to the Welsh Government, just over a third of all those eligible have had their coronavirus booster vaccine this season.
Wales' top doctor has warned that it is "vital" for those most at risk of winter illnesses to take up the offer of a coronavirus and or flu vaccination when they are invited.
Click here to read the full story.
UK inflation fallen to 4.6%, says ONS
The rate of Consumer Prices Index inflation fell to 4.6% in October, down from 6.7% in September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.
This has put the UK government on track to meet its target to halve inflation by the end of the year.
Grant Fitzner, chief economist at ONS, said: "Inflation fell substantially on the month as last year's steep rise in energy costs has been followed by a small reduction in the energy price cap this year.
"Food prices were little changed on the month, after rising this time last year, while hotel prices fell, both helping to push inflation to its lowest rate for two years."
Supreme Court to deliver judgement on Rwanda policy
The Supreme Court will deliver its judgment on whether Rishi Sunak's Rwanda policy is lawful after Suella Braverman warned he has no credible back-up to "stop the boats", PA reports.
Justices at the UK's highest court will today hand down their verdict on the Prime Minister's legislation to remove asylum seekers to Kigali if they arrive by unauthorised means.
Defeat for the UK government will further frustrate what Downing Street admits is a "crucial" part of his plans to halt Channel crossings and will inflame the row with the sacked home secretary.
In an excoriating letter to the Prime Minister, Mrs Braverman warned he has no "credible Plan B" if the High Court ruling that the policy is unlawful is upheld.
Slow traffic on the A4119 in Rhondda Cynon Taff
There is currently slow traffic on A4119 Southbound at Ely Valley Road (Coed Ely Roundabout) in the roadworks area in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
There is currently temporary traffic lights in place, according to Inrix.
How your council tax bill will change under big new reforms
There are three options on the table to reform council tax in Wales with different proposals being put forward by the Welsh Government. They vary in their level of reform.
The Welsh Government say this is being done to make the system fairer and say the changes do not seek to increase the overall amount of council tax raised, and any redesign should raise the same amount of council tax across Wales as the current system.
The current system is 20 years out of date, and the Welsh Government say it is unfair, with people living in homes in the lowest council tax bands paying a relatively higher amount of council tax in relation to the value of their homes, than people who live in higher value properties.
Click here to read the full story.
Met Office forecast for Wednesday
There will be sunny spells today, according to the Met Office, but it will be wetter tomorrow. Here's the full forecast for Wales:
Perhaps the odd shower to start but mostly dry with lengthy sunny periods. Blustery, though winds easing during the afternoon. Temperatures near the seasonal average. Maximum temperature 11 °C."
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