PRIDE IN PLACE: Former council chief to lead Afan Valley’s £20m regeneration drive

The woman who used to run Neath Port Talbot Council has been appointed to lead the body overseeing a £20m regeneration drive in the Upper Afan Valley.

Karen Jones, who retired as the council’s chief executive in late 2024, will chair the independent Neighbourhood Board for the area’s Pride in Place Programme.

The valley was chosen earlier this year as Neath Port Talbot’s preferred site for the UK Government scheme, after officials confirmed it was the most deprived area in the county borough.

The £20m is to be spent over the next decade, with the board steering both a 10-year plan and an initial four-year investment programme.

As chair, Jones will lead the board in setting priorities for the money, working with residents, community groups, businesses and other partners.

The council says the board’s role is to keep the spending community-led and transparent, with local people given a direct say over which projects are backed.

Jones said the programme was an important investment opportunity for the valley.

“The Upper Afan Valley is a beautiful place and this programme will make a difference for the people who live, work and visit,” she said.

She added that she looked forward to working with residents, businesses and partners to identify the most important projects to take on, both now and as the scheme progresses.

Council leader Stephen Hunt said Jones’s experience and understanding of the area would help bring partners together and deliver real benefits for the valley.

The Pride in Place Programme is a UK Government scheme aimed at helping communities across the country, built around three priorities: building thriving places, strengthening communities and giving people a say in their area’s future.

The Upper Afan Valley is one of several local areas in line for the funding. A Swansea city centre neighbourhood has been handed its own £20m under the same scheme.

In Carmarthenshire, Llanelli was also confirmed for a £20m share, with neighbourhoods promised a direct say over how the cash is spent.

The money for the Upper Afan Valley is funded entirely by the UK Government through the Pride in Place Programme.

Residents will be able to find out more about the programme and how to get involved through the council’s website in the coming months.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

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The same scheme delivers a £20m transformation to a Swansea city centre neighbourhood.

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RESOLVEN: Five fined more than £6,800 after cannabis farm waste dumped in Neath Valley forest

Five people have been ordered to pay nearly £7,000 after the remains of a cannabis farm were fly-tipped on forestry land near Resolven.

The waste was dumped illegally in the Rheola forest in the Neath Valley, on land owned by Natural Resources Wales.

It was a document left among the rubbish — along with CCTV, witness accounts and other evidence — that helped investigators track down those responsible.

Following a prosecution brought by Neath Port Talbot Council, four men and a woman were sentenced at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 21 May.

Between them they were ordered to pay a total of £6,822 in fines, costs and victim surcharges.

Keiron Powell, 29, of Greenwood Road, Neath, was ordered to pay £1,830 after admitting illegally depositing controlled waste.

Darcy Thomas, 30, also of Greenwood Road, Neath, was ordered to pay the same amount for the same offence.

Stephen John Powell, 54, again of Greenwood Road, Neath, was ordered to pay £812 after admitting being in control of the vehicle used to dump the waste.

Anthony Jones, 32, of Wheatley Road, Neath, was ordered to pay £1,406 after being found guilty of failing to ensure the waste was disposed of lawfully.

Ian Jenkins, 39, of no fixed abode, was ordered to pay £944 for the same duty-of-care offence.

A sixth man, who had denied wrongdoing, stood trial alongside Jones and was found not guilty.

The court also ordered the tipper truck used to carry the waste to be forfeited to the council, which is now assessing the vehicle and may have it crushed.

The dumped material was the spent contents of a cannabis grow — black fabric planters, growing medium and other equipment — rather than household rubbish.

The waste included black fabric planters and growing medium used in cannabis cultivation. Image: Neath Port Talbot Council

Cabinet member for streetscene, Cllr Scott Jones, said people should be able to enjoy the county’s forests and countryside without coming across dangerous dumped waste.

He said the case sent a strong message that anyone involved in illegal waste disposal would be held responsible, however minor they believed their role to be.

James Roseblade, land management senior officer for Natural Resources Wales, said illegal waste disposal remained a serious blight on communities, the environment and the economy.

He said tackling it was one of the organisation’s highest priorities, and welcomed the court’s decision as a clear signal that waste crime would not be tolerated.

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NEATH PORT TALBOT: From French horn to civic honours — meet the music teacher who has become the new Mayor

A man who has spent his working life teaching children to play music and helping young musicians reach the stage is now taking on his biggest public role yet — as the new Mayor of Neath Port Talbot.

Cllr Alan Lockyer was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at The Orangery in Margam Park on Friday 15 May, having previously served as Deputy Mayor. He takes over from outgoing Mayor Cllr Wayne Carpenter and Mayoress Carol Carpenter, who completed their year in the role last week.

The inauguration came in the same week that Swansea councillor Penny Matthews was inaugurated as Lord Mayor at the city’s Guildhall — a ceremony that also celebrated a lifetime of service to local communities. Both appointments reflect the deep roots that long-serving councillors put down across south-west Wales.

Cllr Alun Lockyer at the Mayor Making Ceremony The Orangery, Margam Park on Friday
(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)

The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot serves as the borough’s first citizen — a ceremonial and ambassadorial role elected annually by the full council. The Mayor chairs full council meetings, represents the authority at community and charity events across the region, presents civic awards to local volunteers and emergency service workers, and leads fundraising efforts for their chosen charity throughout the year.

Although born in Romsey, Hampshire, Lockyer moved to Neath at the age of five and considers himself thoroughly Welsh. It is a county that has shaped his entire adult and professional life.

His connection to music began early, with the French horn his instrument of choice. That passion took him to youth orchestras and on to international tours, with performances in Vienna, Paris and Norway — a world away from the streets of Neath where his love of music first took hold.

His career in music education followed naturally. Lockyer worked as a teacher, lecturer, composer and examiner, helping to establish music courses, recording facilities and opportunities for young people who might not otherwise have had access to them.

He is the founder of the Neath Youth Wind Band and has contributed to major music initiatives across Wales throughout his career — a body of work that reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that music remains accessible to young people regardless of background.

It is a passion he shares with outgoing Mayor Cllr Wayne Carpenter, who himself has a love of music, adding a poignant note to the handover between two old friends.

Now, that lifetime of service to his community has led Lockyer to the civic chair. Neath Port Talbot Council’s new Mayor and Mayoress have four children and eight grandchildren between them, and both are firmly rooted in the community they will now represent.

Cllr Alan Lockyer, founder of Neath Youth Wind Band and a lifelong music educator, has been inaugurated as the new Mayor of Neath Port Talbot at Margam Park. (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)

The Mayor and Mayoress have chosen the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) as their charity for the year — the only UK charity dedicated to supporting adults and children affected by Retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer that typically affects children under the age of six.

Outgoing Mayor Cllr Carpenter paid warm tribute to his successor and to the year he and Mayoress Carol have just completed — a year that included a meeting with the King and Queen just last week.

“As we get older, time seems to go faster — and when you’re Mayor, time really does fly,” Carpenter said. “This past year has been amazing. Mayoress Carol and I consider it an incredible honour to have served the council and residents of Neath Port Talbot.”

“We’ve met some incredibly well-known celebrities and personalities, yet the most impactful moments have been when we’ve been able to thank the unsung heroes of Neath Port Talbot who give their own time to make a real difference to their community,” he added.

“We are currently living in a hostile world, and so we’ve appreciated being able to show the kinder, caring face of public service,” Carpenter concluded. “I wish my dear friend, Cllr Alan Lockyer, all the best and a successful, healthy year in the role.”

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PORT TALBOT: Council celebrates as Aberavon Beach Seaside Award confirmed — with a message to visitors to enjoy it responsibly

Neath Port Talbot Council has formally welcomed the confirmation that Aberavon Beach has retained its Seaside Award from Keep Wales Tidy — the blue and yellow flag that signifies a clean, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch.

Aberavon is the only beach in Neath Port Talbot to receive a Wales Coast Award this year, and one of just 15 beaches across the whole of Wales to achieve the Seaside Award specifically.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Tourism, Councillor Cen Phillips, said the award was fantastic news for residents and visitors alike.

“This is fantastic news for anyone who lives near, or visits, Aberavon Beach,” he said. “The three-mile stretch has lots on offer, whether you’re a water-sports fanatic, a keen swimmer or just enjoy a relaxing stroll along the sand.”

He said the quality of the seafront continued to draw visitors and businesses to the area, and issued a direct message about responsible use.

“It’s no surprise that Aberavon seafront attracts so many visitors and businesses, who can now continue to be reassured by the quality of their surroundings,” Councillor Phillips said. “A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to achieve this award, including by Neath Port Talbot Council beach cleaners. I hope people enjoy the area responsibly so that it remains safe and fun for all.”

The message carries particular resonance following incidents during the Easter holidays. A lifebuoy on Aberavon Beach was deliberately set on fire during a period of disorder over the bank holiday weekend — prompting a warning from South Wales Police and Port Talbot Coastguard that the vandalism “could have had dire consequences” had anyone needed rescuing from the water at the time.

Owen Derbyshire, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said the awards recognised beaches meeting the highest and most consistent standards.

“Wales has some of the best beaches and marinas in the world and one of the most varied coastlines, and we are delighted to see this recognised with another successful year of Wales Coast Awards,” he said. “We would like to thank staff, volunteers and everyone else at sites across Wales who work so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.”

The Seaside Award sits within a period of significant wider investment in the Aberavon seafront. In recent years the area has seen updated public toilets, two new children’s play areas, a skateboard park, a new splash pad attraction and a multi-million pound sea defence project designed to protect the promenade for future generations.

Further improvements are in the pipeline through a major active travel scheme covering a 4.7km stretch linking the seafront with Afan Way. The multi-million pound project would deliver new and widened footways, dedicated cycle lanes on Princess Margaret Way, new Toucan and Parallel crossings, and public realm improvements around Memo Beach Café, the skate park and Tywyn Primary School.

The council said the active travel scheme is particularly important in Sandfields, where data shows fewer than half of households own a car — making safe walking and cycling routes essential for everyday journeys including school runs and trips to the beach.

Construction of the active travel scheme is targeted for 2026–27, subject to funding approval through the Regional Transport Fund. Taken together with the Seaside Award recognition, the investment signals continued ambition for Aberavon as one of south Wales’s premier coastal destinations.

The Seaside Award’s blue and yellow flag will fly above Aberavon’s three-mile stretch for another season, giving visitors and businesses confidence in the quality and management of one of Port Talbot’s most popular destinations.

The 2026 Wales Coast Awards also saw 20 Welsh beaches achieve Blue Flag status — the world’s most recognised beach award — including Caswell Bay, Langland Bay and Port Eynon in Gower, and Saundersfoot and Tenby Castle in Pembrokeshire.

However, the day also brought difficult news for Tenby, where North Beach lost its Blue Flag for the third time after water quality dropped from “excellent” to “good” — prompting a formal letter of complaint to Welsh Water from the area’s MP.

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PORT TALBOT: Aberavon beach wins prestigious Seaside Award
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New cycle lanes, crossings and public realm improvements planned for the seafront area.

SWANSEA: Four of Swansea’s beaches once again fly the Blue Flag
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PORT TALBOT: Aberavon beach wins prestigious Seaside Award — and it’s the only beach in Neath Port Talbot to make the cut

Aberavon beach has retained its place among the best beaches in Wales, winning a Seaside Award in the 2026 Wales Coast Awards — the only beach in Neath Port Talbot to do so.

The award, announced today by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, recognises beaches that meet high standards for cleanliness, water quality, facilities, safety and environmental management. A total of 48 beaches across Wales were recognised across all categories in this year’s awards.

Aberavon is one of just 15 beaches across Wales to achieve the Seaside Award specifically — a UK-only accolade available in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, with the distinctive yellow and blue flag signifying a clean, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch.

The recognition comes as Aberavon continues to benefit from significant recent investment. The seafront has been transformed in recent years with updated public toilets, two new children’s play areas, a skateboard park, a new splash pad attraction and a multi-million pound sea defence project designed to protect the promenade for generations to come.

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said the scale of the transformation at Aberavon made the award all the more meaningful.

“We are delighted to see Aberavon once again taking its place as a Seaside Award-winning beach in the 2026 Wales Coast Awards,” he said. “The area has undergone an incredible transformation in recent years, with more exciting developments to come, and it is great for visitors and local residents to know that as well as having excellent facilities Aberavon seafront is a safe, clean, and well-managed destination.”

Today’s awards also saw 20 Welsh beaches achieve Blue Flag status — the world’s most recognised beach award, signalling high water quality, amenities, environmental education, safety, access and site management. Caswell Bay, Langland Bay and Port Eynon in Gower, and Saundersfoot and Tenby Castle in Pembrokeshire, were among those awarded Blue Flag status this morning.

A further 13 beaches achieved the Green Coast Award, given to hidden gems along the Welsh coastline for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty — including Mwnt and Penbryn in Ceredigion, and Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire.

Aberavon joins other Seaside Award winners including Aberystwyth North and South beaches, Whitmore Bay at Barry Island and Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Derbyshire paid tribute to the staff and volunteers who work to maintain standards at beaches across Wales.

“The Wales Coast Awards recognise high and consistent standards and we would like to thank staff, volunteers and everyone else at sites across Wales who work so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances,” he said.

The Seaside Award’s yellow and blue flag is a familiar sight to the millions of visitors who use Aberavon’s three miles of sandy beach each year — one of the most popular stretches of coastline in south Wales.

Aberavon’s retention of the award will be welcomed by Neath Port Talbot Council, which has invested heavily in the seafront area in recent years, including the promenade, aqua play pad, cinema and playground facilities.

The 2026 Wales Coast Awards are managed by Keep Wales Tidy, which oversees the Blue Flag, Seaside Award and Green Coast Award programmes across Wales on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

The full list of 2026 Wales Coast Award winners is available at keepwalestidy.cymru.

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NEATH: Three months of roadworks to hit Aberdulais from Sunday as gas company digs up village street

Drivers and residents in Aberdulais are facing almost three months of roadworks from this Sunday after Wales and West Utilities confirmed it is starting work to replace ageing gas pipes in the Dulais Road Fach area.

The work begins on Sunday 18 May and, if all goes to plan, is not expected to finish until 17 August — meaning traffic management will remain in place throughout most of the summer.

Traffic lights will be in operation throughout the scheme, which has been planned in conjunction with Neath Port Talbot Council.

The work is part of a wider £950,000 investment by Wales & West Utilities to upgrade gas infrastructure across the Neath Valley over the next two years, with more than four kilometres of gas pipes set to be replaced across the area as part of the programme.

Adam Smith, the Wales & West Utilities project manager overseeing the Aberdulais scheme, acknowledged the disruption but said the work was unavoidable.

“We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area,” he said. “While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of this community.”

He added that the Aberdulais work was also about future-proofing the network for cleaner energy.

“This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport green gases in the future,” he said.

Residents who need more information about the project can visit wwutilities.co.uk/gas-pipe-upgrade-projects or call the Wales & West Utilities customer service team free on 0800 912 2999.

The scheme is expected to cause the most disruption during peak hours, with drivers advised to allow extra time for journeys through the area throughout the duration of the works.

The wider Neath Valley mains replacement programme is one of several ongoing infrastructure investments by Wales & West Utilities across south Wales, as the company works to upgrade pipes that in some cases date back decades.

If you smell gas or suspect a carbon monoxide leak at any point during the works, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 immediately — engineers are available around the clock.

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PORT TALBOT: A historic bridge closed, a failing bridge demolished and a health centre potentially bulldozed — the radical plan to reshape Cymmer

Neath Port Talbot Council has launched a public consultation on plans that would transform the road network through Cymmer in the Afan Valley — including the closure of Cymmer Bridge to motor traffic and the demolition of one of the two former railway bridges at the eastern end of Maesteg Road.

The council describes one of the two railway bridges as a failing structure, and intends to demolish it as part of the Cymmer Carriageway Realignment Scheme. The historic Cymmer Bridge would be retained, but closed to vehicles and kept open for pedestrians and cyclists only.

The proposals are designed to address safety concerns and improve traffic movement through the village, which sits at a key junction for the communities of Cymmer, Afandale, Abercregan and Glyncorrwg. The current road network relies on weight-restricted bridges that the council says are increasingly unsuitable for modern traffic volumes.

The proposed layout of the Cymmer Carriageway Realignment Scheme, showing the new through route, fire station access road, shared cycleway and changes to Cymmer Bridge. (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council / WSP)

The heart of the scheme is a new carriageway connection linking School Road and Maesteg Road, creating an alternative through route that would remove the need for vehicles to use the weight-restricted bridges.

The plans also include a new dedicated access road for Cymmer Fire Station, extending northwards from the new through route to connect with Railway Crescent.

Among the most significant proposals for residents is the potential demolition and relocation of Cymmer Health Centre. The council says the new location for the health centre will be subject to a separate consultation by Swansea Bay University Health Board.

An artist’s impression of School Road looking east, showing the new through route with the junction down to the fire station and Station Road. (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council / WSP)

Highway improvements are proposed along sections of Station Road, Maesteg Road, Lloyds Terrace, Avon Street and Railway Crescent, including road widening, resurfacing and upgraded pedestrian crossings. Station Road would become one-way eastbound under the proposals, and Albion Bend on Maesteg Road would be widened to allow traffic to flow in both directions.

A new Toucan crossing is proposed on Station Road, alongside a 3-metre-wide shared footway and cycleway throughout the scheme. The existing Cymmer Community Library parking area would be improved, with a new parking area created south of The Refreshment Rooms as a direct replacement for spaces currently adjacent to the former railway bridges.

Maintenance work on Cymmer Bridge to prevent further corrosion and concrete decay is also included in the scheme, even though it would no longer carry motor traffic.

An artist’s impression of Albion Bend looking west, showing the new Maesteg Road link to the through route. (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council / WSP)

The project covers an area of approximately 3.1 hectares, with land mainly owned and managed by the council.

If the consultation leads to a planning application being approved, the project timeline runs to summer 2029 when the scheme is expected to open. The planning application itself is expected to be submitted in winter 2026, with construction anticipated to start in summer 2027.

The public consultation opened on Wednesday 13 May and runs until 11.59pm on Wednesday 24 June, giving residents just over six weeks to respond.

An artist’s impression of Maesteg Road looking north-west, showing Station Road, the new through route and the junction down to Avon Street. (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council / WSP)

Residents can have their say online at npt.gov.uk/council/have-your-say/consultations or by emailing [email protected]. Paper feedback forms are also available at Cymmer Afan Community Library.

Three public drop-in events are being held in June where residents can view the proposals and speak to the project team. The first is at Cymmer Methodist Church on Brytwn Road on Monday 1 June from 10am to 5pm. A second takes place at Croeserw Community Enterprise Centre on Bryn Siriol Road on Thursday 4 June from 1pm to 8pm — the later finish allowing those who work during the day to attend. The third and final session is at The Refreshment Rooms at The Old Station on Saturday 6 June from 10am to 1pm.

The deadline for all responses is 11.59pm on Wednesday 24 June 2026.

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PORT TALBOT: Fire enters controlled phase as road closures lifted and air quality monitoring deployed

The major fire at Water Street in Port Talbot is entering a controlled phase and de-escalating, with both road closures now lifted and air quality monitoring deployed across affected areas throughout the day.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews will remain on scene for the foreseeable future to continue damping down and managing hotspots, supported by Neath Port Talbot Council JCB crews.

Both the A4242 Afan Way dual carriageway and the Afan Way/Water Street westbound carriageway have been reopened. The adjacent footpath and cycleway remains closed at this time.

Air quality monitoring has been deployed throughout the day in areas affected by the smoke plume to assess any impacts and help protect public health. The advice remains for local residents and businesses to keep windows and doors closed while smoke is present, opening them again when the smoke passes. People who feel unwell should seek appropriate medical advice.

Natural Resources Wales officers have been on site throughout the day providing specialist advice to the fire and rescue services and the site operator. Monitoring of the nearby River Afan has confirmed there has been no pollution entering the river from firefighting water run-off – a significant reassurance for the local environment.

Fire and rescue services will now support the transition into the recovery phase, working closely with Natural Resources Wales to ensure the site remains safe and to minimise any ongoing environmental or community impact.

The fire broke out at the Water Street commercial site yesterday morning, where around 200 tonnes of commercial waste had been stored. At its height it required eight fire stations from both Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Earlier today, schools in the area kept pupils and staff indoors as a precaution while smoke drifted across the town, and rest centre facilities were placed on standby by the council.

Residents in the Water Street area are asked to continue following guidance from emergency services while crews complete the damping down operation. The footpath and cycleway adjacent to the site remains closed until further notice.

Anyone with concerns about the smoke or their health should contact NHS 111 for advice, or call 999 in an emergency.

Our Port Talbot fire coverage

PORT TALBOT: Huge industrial fire sends black smoke billowing over town as eight fire stations scramble to Dock Road
Our original report as the fire broke out yesterday morning.

PORT TALBOT: Fire crews still battling Dock Road blaze as dramatic new images emerge from inside the site
Aerial images from inside the site as crews fought the blaze through the night.

PORT TALBOT: Schools keeping pupils indoors as fire crews remain on scene at Water Street blaze
This afternoon’s update as road closures were put in place and schools kept pupils inside.

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PORT TALBOT: Residents demand urgent upgrade to Coed Hirwaun’s only play park as petition tops 210 signatures

Residents in Coed Hirwaun are calling for urgent improvements to the area’s only children’s play park, saying the ageing facility is no longer safe or fit for purpose.

Coed Hirwaun — the modern estate near Margam Park sometimes called Margam Village — has around 500 homes and has grown steadily since Persimmon Homes first developed it following a planning permission granted in 1996. The area has its own primary school, a convenience store and playing fields.

But residents say the community’s one play area has not kept pace with the growth of the estate — and children are now using equipment that parents describe as both unsafe and too small for the number of children using it.

The frustration runs deeper than just a tired swing set. When the estate was originally granted planning permission, it was envisaged that a wider range of facilities would follow — including shops, a doctor’s surgery, offices and a community hall. Most of those facilities were never built. A community hall was set aside in a later planning permission granted in 2008, but was never developed either.

Now Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is planning to add up to 900 more homes to the Coed Hirwaun site as part of its new development plan, earmarking it as a strategic site linked to the Celtic Freeport and the transition of the Tata steelworks. Residents say that makes the current state of the play park even harder to accept.

An online petition has gathered more than 210 signatures, and community posts on Facebook have attracted over 130 likes and more than 100 comments.

One resident said: “The park is the only one we have, but it’s just not big enough or safe enough for the number of children using it. It feels like our community has been overlooked.”

Another added: “We’re not asking for anything excessive — just something safe and suitable for the children who live here.”

The complaint draws on previous statements from Cllr Simon Knoyle — the independent councillor for Glynneath Central and East who serves as the council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice — who has said that “playgrounds are essential community resources” and that improvements would “make sure families have safe, modern places for children to play.” Residents want to know why that commitment has not been applied to Coed Hirwaun, which falls in the Margam and Tai-bach ward.

The community says it is willing to work constructively with the council to find a solution and explore funding opportunities, but feels the matter needs urgent attention.

A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm Coed Hirwaun Park remains safe for public use. We recognise that Coed Hirwaun Park is an ageing play space and may not offer the same level of play value as newly refurbished sites, but it is important to reassure residents that there are no current safety concerns. An annual inspection was carried out in February by an independent external contractor, which the playground passed. In addition, the Council undertakes weekly inspections carried out by a trained and qualified member of staff.

“Any minor defects or issues identified through inspections are addressed promptly as part of our ongoing maintenance programme. Recent works have included the replacement of litter bins and general maintenance such as swing chain repairs, ensuring the site continues to be safe and usable for the community. No major safety concerns have been raised during recent external or internal inspections.

“Neath Port Talbot Council has allocated funding for playground improvements on a safety‑led, risk‑based approach, focusing on sites identified as being at end of life or presenting higher safety risks. While Coed Hirwaun is not currently included in the funded refurbishment programme, the Council is actively exploring potential funding opportunities to support improvements across all council‑owned play facilities.

“Should additional funding be secured for further sites, including Coed Hirwaun, this will be clearly communicated to local residents.”

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NEATH: Fly-tipper ordered to pay £5,000+ after being caught by hidden camera

A company had been experiencing several cases of waste being illegally deposited near their entrance off the A4109 in Crynant, which included piles of interior wall rendering.

Due to how often it was happening, a CCTV trail camera was installed at the location which captured the culprit.

Fly-tipping in Crynant

• Footage captured a vehicle entering the site where a person can be seen taking items from the boot of a car/vehicle and leaving them at the location before driving away.
   
• Within a few days, a man driving a Blue BMW was seen entering the site and taking containers out of the boot of the vehicle which were left on the verges of the track. An item was also thrown from the driver’s window of the vehicle.  
   
• Just a few days later between 3pm and 4pm, a man arrives in the same vehicle (blue BMW).  The male removed builder tonne bags from the boot of the car which he emptied at the site before driving off. 
   

The matter was reported to NPTCBC which prompted an investigation by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Waste Enforcement section.

DVLA checks on the vehicle showed the registered owner as a Mr Jurij Sarcenkov of Uplands Road, Bristol, BS16 4JU.  A Google Street View image from April 2025 shows a vehicle matching the description on the driveway of the address.

Over the Christmas period, the blue BMW was identified as being linked to a property in Neath Road, Crynant. where the driver was seen leaving the vehicle and entering the address. A Council Tax check on the address confirmed the property was linked to Mr. Sarcenkov, which he also confirmed during an interview under caution.

Also at the property, investigators found rendering waste in the front garden which matched the description of what had been disposed of near the company’s entrance. They also discovered builders’ bags in the garden to the side of the property.

Mr Sarcenkov – the registered owner of the vehicle involved – was interviewed by Waste Enforcement officers at Neath Civic Centre and gave ‘no comment’ answers to all questions.

On the 2nd April 2026 at Swansea Magistrates Court 40-year-old Jurij Sarcenkov from Uplands Road, Bristol, BS16 4JU, pleaded guilty to 3 offences contrary to s33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He must now pay the following sums:

• £1,000 fine for each offence (£3,000)
• £869.94 in costs
• £1,200 Victim Surcharge

Total: £5,069.94

[Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council]

#DVLA #flyTipping #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #WasteEnforcement