PORTHCAWL: £1.3m project to transform car park into vibrant public space to begin

The project in the popular seaside town of Porthcawl will see the existing car park close on 20 March 2026.

Bridgend County Borough Council say the closure will make way for a high-quality public space designed to support community activity, events, businesses and improved access between key areas of the town centre and the Metrolink.

The larger adjacent Hillsboro North car park will remain open as usual for residents and visitors.

The council say the new space is the latest step in the town’s wider waterfront regeneration scheme, which has seen significant changes in recent years.

Those changes included the closure of the iconic Coney Beach Amusement Park.

The council say the development will also celebrate the site’s heritage and history through the reinstatement of historic rail features, while creating a greener, attractive and accessible environment for residents and visitors.

Active travel improvements will also be made as part of the scheme, with the council promising improved links to the Metrolink and town centre, a new toucan pedestrian crossing, and a new route connecting Dock Street with the town centre.

Other key features of the scheme include pop-up business units, a flexible public space capable of hosting events and activities, informal play features, and wildflower planting.

It comes after some previous regeneration plans in the town were scaled back after resident pressure, and follows difficulties with other local projects such as the failed Maritime Centre.

However, the town is one of several in Wales to benefit from a multi-million-pound pledge to revive town centres.

Cllr Neelo Farr, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing said: “The work is intended to create a more welcoming, accessible and environmentally sustainable gateway into Porthcawl town centre and the high-quality nature of this work will offer a visible snapshot into what we are trying to achieve with the wider waterfront regeneration scheme.”

Cllr Farr added: “This represents an exciting opportunity that will benefit residents, businesses and visitors and it’s pleasing to that the town’s railway heritage is reflected in the plans, while also offering flexibility to use the public space for a variety of events and business opportunities.”

PORTHCAWL: New seafront funfair announced as town prepares for life after Coney Beach

The new funfair, which will feature family rides, a big wheel and food stalls, will be set up in time for Easter and remain in place throughout the summer season, Bridgend County Borough Council have said.

The announcement comes after the town’s historic Coney Beach amusement park closed permanently on 4 October 2025 after 107 years of operation as part of a major seafront regeneration project.

The Welsh Government, which bought the amusement park site in 2023, is working with Bridgend Council on a major redevelopment of the area, which has proved controversial with some residents.

Hundreds of people signed petitions to save the funfair, and the council was forced to scale back its initial regeneration proposals after a public backlash.

The council has also had to warn the public about fake images of the regeneration plans being circulated online.

The new seasonal funfair at Salt Lake will be operated by Studt’s Events, a family-run business with a long history in the events industry.

It will briefly share the site with the NoFit State contemporary circus, which will be present between 11-19 April.

Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said the new funfair reinforced the council’s commitment to delivering high-quality attractions for the town.

“We want to provide family-friendly activities that add to what Porthcawl already offers while also supporting local businesses by bringing more people into the town and county borough,” she said.

“I am pleased that the funfair will be inclusive and accessible for all visitors, and it is great to see how our plans for Porthcawl are starting to come together as part of the wider regeneration programme.”

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said the waterfront regeneration represented an “exciting opportunity” for the area.

“Through our continued investment in regeneration across Wales, we want to help towns like Porthcawl build on their unique strengths, grow their local economies, deliver new homes, and provide high-quality leisure and cultural experiences for residents and visitors alike,” she said.

Henry Studt of Studt’s Events Ltd added: “We are genuinely delighted to be bringing a family funfair to Porthcawl and are looking forward to playing a positive part in the town’s seasonal offer for residents and visitors.”

More details about the seasonal funfair, including confirmed dates and opening times, will be announced closer to Easter 2026.

Rugby Player Hospitalised After Pitch Contamination

Tondu RFC player Adam Lang hospitalised after cut got infected by dog faeces on Pandy Park pitch. Raises safety concerns for players and children.

#RugbySafety, #DogFouling, #TonduRFC, #PlayerHealth, #BridgendCouncil

https://newsletter.tf/rugby-player-hospitalised-dog-poo-infection/

A rugby player needed hospital care because of an infection from dog poo on the pitch. This is more serious than just a dirty field.

#RugbySafety, #DogFouling, #TonduRFC, #PlayerHealth, #BridgendCouncil

https://newsletter.tf/rugby-player-hospitalised-dog-poo-infection/

Rogue builder from Porthcawl jailed for defrauding victims out of thousands

Anderson, who appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (28 April) was accused of defrauding multiple victims out of thousands of pounds. He was found guilty on four counts of fraud and given four years and eight months prison sentence, reduced to three years and six months.

Anderson was also charged with three ‘Consumer Protection’ offences which resulted in an eight-month custodial sentence, reduced to six months, to be served concurrently. 

Anderson’s wife, Sandra Anderson, who also appeared in court alongside her husband, was charged with possessing criminal property, namely £35,000 from victims, Andrea Booth and Richard Booth. Sandra Anderson received a prison sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to wear an electronic tag with a curfew of 7pm to 6am.

In the case brought by Bridgend County Borough Council, Cardiff Crown Court heard details from each of the six victims, which were powerfully expressed through the victims’ impact statements. Each victim having been friendly and open people who placed their trust in Michael Anderson, only to have been ‘ripped off’ by his sub-par and incomplete building work on their properties.

There were common themes that ran through each of the victims statements; they all felt that Michael Anderson presented as one of their friends and frequently reassured them that they could trust him, each of the victims were physically and emotionally affected by his actions, losing all of their savings and left with damaged properties or paying significant amounts of money to have the poor work completed by Michael Anderson rectified, and all of the victims have lost their friendly and trusting nature. 

The devastating impact of Michael and Sandra Anderson’s actions has left their victims distraught, some with suicidal thoughts, faced with having to sell their dream house, their retirement plans now being replaced with plans of how to manage financial hardship and losses in their family at such a difficult time. 

When sentencing, Judge Eugene Egan, submitted that the defendants left a “trail of misery” through their actions, causing decent and hardworking people emotional and financial distress. The powerful victim impact statements were described by the Judge to be a harrowing listening and reading, Michael Anderson had clearly shattered people’s lives and dreams.

Despite being told in mitigation that Sandra Anderson had limited involvement and was essentially controlled by her husband, the Judge did not accept this. When sentencing Sandra Anderson, he submitted that she was fully aware of what was going on and facilitated her husband’s criminality. He added that Michael Anderson had a reckless disregard for his victims and ripped off decent and hardworking people.

A Proceeds of Crime timetable has been set with the intention of securing compensation for the victims.

Welcoming the outcome of the prosecution, Councillor Hywel Williams, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, said: “Once again, we are frustrated to witness how the fraudulent actions of these individuals has severely impacted their victims in this case.

“I would urge residents be extra careful when choosing traders to work in their homes. And recommend that you look for someone who is a member of a relevant trade association or responsible trader scheme; and always ask to see examples of other work they have carried out. You are also legally allowed to cancel contracts made in your home.

“Rogue traders cause financial and psychological distress to their victims and families, who lose their hard-earned savings on work that is unnecessary, poorly done or incomplete.

“Cases like this seriously affect consumer confidence in the local building trade, but we hope that sentences like the one given on Monday will act as a significant deterrent and demonstrate just how seriously our Shared Regulatory Services team and the courts take these matters.”

#BridgendCouncil #BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil #fraud #Porthcawl #RogueBuilder

Councils in South West Wales to get £27m boost to improve local transport

The grants from the Welsh Government will fund projects that improve the condition of local roads and address disruptions caused by severe weather; pilot new bus services and upgrade bus journey times and waiting facilities; and make it easier for people to walk, cycle and use wheelchairs.

It will also fund the installation of more publicly available electric vehicle charging points; the creation of safer routes for children to travel to schools; and improve road safety.

Swansea

Swansea Council will receive core transport funding of £1.11 million, plus £50,000 for the Clyne Common Active Travel scheme to provide a safe cycling and walking route from Bishopston and Murton across the common.

There is £600,000 for a ‘Northern City Link’ that would see improvements made to the A483 North of Cadle along Carmarthen Road, through Dyfatty and High Street to its junction with Welcome Lane in the city centre. This includes remodelling the busy Dyfatty junction, bus priority measures along the whole route as well as improvements for walking and cycling. The grant money would be for a traffic modelling exercise to look at the potential impacts of any changes to the road network.

£500,000 is to go towards work on the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro. Swansea will act as host authority for the region with projects including the creation of a new Regional Transport Plan covering all of the local authorities in South West Wales.

There is £380,000 towards plans for a multi-modal transport interchange at the Dairy Car Park in Mumbles, with funding going towards talking to the community and business owners about the proposed design and engaging with landowners affected by the proposals.

Flood alleviation measures on the A4118 Gower Road in Killay and on the same road between Scurlage and Llandew will see £265,000 of grant funding from Welsh Government.

There’s also £333,700 for motorcycle safety provision, £205,000 for implementation of 20mph speed limits, £60,000 for Kerbcraft pedestrian training, £30,900 for National Standards Cycle Training and £3,250 for Bike Safe training.

There’s £208,700 of safe routes in communities funding for Penllergaer and

£233,500 for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The council will also adopt Cae Rowland St in Manselton thanks to £80,000 of grant funding.

Neath Port Talbot

Neath Port Talbot Council will receive core transport funding of £716,000, plus £990,000 for phase 1 of the Neath to Cilma active travel route.

There’s £730,000 for Cymmer carriageway improvements, £440,000 towards plans for an Integrated Transport Hub in Neath outside of Neath Train Station and £1.6 million to deal with drainage and flooding issues on the A483 Fabian Way.

There’s road safety grants of £890,000 for the A4241 between Harbourway and Rutherglen and £220,000 for the B4242 Ynysygerwn to Glynneath.

In addition, there’s £14,000 for Dragon Rider motorcycle training, £12,180 for Pass Plus driver training, £6,700 for National Standards Cycle Training, £5,600 for Kerbcraft pedestrian training, £5,500 for Mega Drive pre-driver training for ages 16 to 18, £3,720 for First Responder (FBOS), £3,500 for Drive for Life, £3,000 for level 3 National Standards Cycle Training.

£50,000 will go towards creating a safe route between Coed Darcy and Skewen.

Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire Council will receive core funding of £732,000, plus £1.14 million for a replacement for Black Bridge in Llanelli that would see the construction of a new ramped access and shared use bridge for cycling and walking linking to previously completed routes to Trostre and Halfway with access to Pentre Awel and the Millenium Coastal Path.

There’s also £2.05 million towards the proposed Llanelli Interchange at the train station, as well as £574,000 for the A484 Sandy Road improvement scheme.

The council will get £1.5 million for highway drainage improvements across the county, as well as £520,000 for safety improvements to the B4304 Station Road and New Dock Road in Llanelli.

There’s £450,000 for the implementation of 20mph speed limits, £41,500 for Kerbcraft pedestrian training, £34,000 for active travel and road safety training, £28,120 for National Standards Cycle Training, £5,880 for Dragon Rider motorcycle training and £4,200 for Biker Down motorcycle training.

A safe routes in communities scheme in Five Roads will also receive £712,305.

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Council will receive core transport funding of £500,000, plus £802,880 for Saundersfoot shared use paths at Stammers and Frances Road.

There’s also £6.07 million towards the Milford Haven Transport Interchange project which sees improvement works to the existing Milford Haven train station to create a new public transport interchange, by relocating the existing rail platform and providing a dedicated bus interchange between the station and retail area, along with a, taxi rank, formalised car park, public realm spaces and improved Active Travel links.

£1.1 million will go towards projects in Newgale, including rerouting the Newgale section of the A487, creating a new walking and cycling path through the village, changing access to the beach and coastal businesses and releasing space for the beach to naturally adapt to coastal change.

In addition there is £39,200 for Kerbcraft pedestrian training, £32,080 for National Standards Cycle Training, £3,500 for Mature Driver training for ages 65 and over, £2,520 for Dragon Rider motorcycle training and £1,200 for Biker Down courses.

£500,000 has been given to the council towards EV Charger Network rationalisation and £84,000 for the council to adopt Mayfield Acres in Kilgetty.

Responding to the Welsh Government grant, Pembrokeshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “This is tremendous news for Milford Haven and allows us to move forward on a scheme that has been in development over a number of years. Not only will this significantly help the overall look of the station approach, it will also hopefully lead to better connectivity along the network for our own residents and also encourage more tourist visits. As this is an interchange scheme, it will also help us link up buses and taxis in a more seamless way.”

Bridgend County

Bridgend County Borough Council will receive core transport funding of £707,000 from Welsh Government, plus £119,000 for phase 1 of the council’s Pen y Fai active travel scheme that looks to create a shared pedestrian and cycle track from the safe crossing point along Tondu Road into Bridgend town centre, including work to improve the A4063 Pen-Y-Fai Junction.

Other funding commitments include £226,000 for Bridgend Bus Station information displays and £357,000 for improvements to the A4061 from the Junction 36 on the M4 to Heol Canola, Sarn. There’s also £137,000 for improvements to the A4064 King Edward Street in Blaengarw.

Welsh Government have given Bridgend County Borough Council £208,689 for implementation of 20mph speed limits, £29,636 for Kerbcraft pedestrian training and £25,440 for National Standards Cycle Training.

There is also £104,000 for residential charge point initiative and £16,000 towards the adoption of Lakeview Close, Porthcawl.

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates, said: “Connecting communities and delivering better transport for all is at the heart of this £27 million investment. We want to make it easier for people to travel to work, school, healthcare and to see friends and family, while also building a more sustainable transport network for future generations.

“These improvements will make real differences to everyday journeys – whether that’s safer routes, better paths for walking, wheeling and cycling, or more reliable bus services. We’re working with councils to ensure this money delivers the greatest benefits to communities across Wales.”

#A4063 #A4118 #A4241 #A483 #A484 #ActiveTravel #B4304 #BridgendCouncil #CarmarthenRoad #Carmarthenshire #featured #GowerRoad #Junction36 #Llanelli #NeathPortTalbot #Newgale #Pembrokeshire #SandyRoad #StationRoad #Swansea #Transport #TransportInterchange #WelshGovernment