Swansea Council trials smart bin sensors to improve rural waste collection

Swansea Council has begun trialling smart bin sensors in remote communities as part of a pilot scheme aimed at reducing unnecessary journeys and keeping streets cleaner. The sensors, which use low-power wireless technology, alert cleansing staff when bins are full — allowing teams to prioritise locations that need attention and avoid visiting those that don’t.

Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “The sensors are a win-win all round. For residents there’s less chance of them finding unsightly overflowing bins, and for staff it means their time can be focussed on tackling bin and litter problems where they’re most needed. It’s early days because we’re still piloting the scheme, but it’s looking very promising.”

The system uses LoRaWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology to transmit data from battery-powered sensors, which can last up to eight years. The pilot is focused on rural locations such as Gower and Port Eynon, where bin usage varies significantly depending on weather and seasonal tourism.

Stuart Willingale, Cleansing Strategy Team Leader, said: “Some of our bins are sited in fairly remote locations in places like Gower, which are a considerable distance away from where our staff are based. The data tells us when our Cleansing Teams need to visit a location to empty a bin — or when not to. This saves us time our teams can better use in other locations and tackling other cleansing issues. It also reduces our environmental impact of driving to a location only to be met with an empty bin.”

The pilot is being supported by Welsh Government funding, and early results suggest the system could help reduce fuel use, improve response times, and cut down on overflowing bins — especially in areas with fluctuating visitor numbers.

#binSensors #CllrCyrilAnderson #Gower #IoT #litter #litterBin #LoraWan #PortEynon #sensors #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Beach-goers urged to back ban on ‘flying ring’ frisbees

The cute and inquisitive creatures have made their home on rocky outcrops around Gower, but their lives are put at risk by the discarded doughnut-shaped flying rings which can snare them round their necks.

Swansea Council says it has already been working with Gower Seal Group, local schools and businesses on Gower to promote the ban after passing a notice of motion that aims to see an end to the use of the rings anywhere near wildlife along the area’s coastline.

Gower businesses Pitton Cross Caravan and Camping, Kennexstone Camping and Touring Park, and Surfside Café, Langland, Northway Garage, Bishopston have already voluntarily stopped selling them.

Gower Seal Group continue to visit schools in the area to talk to youngsters about seals and other marine life, spotlighting how they can support the effort.

Gareth Richards, Founder of Gower Seal Group and Vice Chair of the UK Seal Alliance Executive, said: “Nobody buys a flying ring with the intention of causing pain and suffering to seals. But that’s what can happen if a flying ring is lost or discarded at a beach or near a waterway.

“A seal’s natural curiosity and playfulness when finding a flying ring in the water soon becomes a nightmare when, very quickly, they find themselves trapped by one around their neck.”

He said the creatures can’t free themselves of this entanglement and as they grow the ring tightens restricts their movement and will often cause pain, suffering and ultimately death.

And now the seal group is planning a national campaign to ‘Save Our Seals From Flying Rings’, launching on May 26, which includes a petition calling on the Government to ban the import of flying rings and to councils across the UK to ban them.

Mr Richards said: “That’s why we are extremely grateful to councillors in Swansea for continuing to support this campaign and showing leadership to protect our visiting seals from suffering by not supporting the sale or use of flying rings in our area.”

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “We fully support what Gower Seal Group is doing to protect our seals. We are so lucky to have seals near many of our beaches in Swansea and Gower.

“The vast majority of the many thousands of people who visit Gower every year treat the area, its wildlife and its coastline with respect. Along with the Gower Seal Group we are urging visitors to play their part to protect our seal population as well.”

Rocky coastal spots such as Limeslade and Bracelet Bay, as well as Port Eynon and Langland Bay have all been known to provide resting spots for groups of seals as well as thousands of visiting public every year.

Seals spend around 80% of their time at sea and come ashore along Gower to rest, sleep and digest their food.

The short time they are on land is vital to their health but also makes them vulnerable to the impact of humans on their lives.

#beaches #BraceletBay #Environment #frisbee #Gower #GowerSealGroup #LanglandBay #Limeslade #PortEynon #Seals #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Four Swansea beaches named among Wales’ best in prestigious Wales Coast Awards

Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy today announced the recipients of the much-coveted annual awards, with three beaches receiving the globally-recognised Blue Flag Awards, and one receiving a Green Coast Award.  

A total of 49 beaches across Wales were recognised in the awards, which play a vital role in protecting our precious marine environment and are known around the world as a symbol of quality.  

Caswell Bay, Langland Bay and Port Eynon, all in Gower, all retained their status as Blue Flag beaches. This is one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches, marinas and tourism boats, recognising not only the highest standards of water quality, but also high-quality amenities, sustainable development of tourism, information provision, environmental education, safety and access, and site management  

The three locations were among 21 across Wales achieving the Blue Flag accolade. Awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), beaches must adhere to specific criteria ensuring the beach or marina is clean, safe, and well-managed, promoting sustainability and attracting visitors.    

In addition, Bracelet Bay, on Mumbles Head, retained its status as a Green Coast Award-winning beach, one of 15 locations in Wales to achieve the award which celebrate the ‘hidden gems’ of the Welsh coastline. The Green Coast Award celebrates Bracelet Bay as an exceptional place to enjoy stunning scenery, rich coastal heritage and diversity. It joins the likes of Mwnt and Penbryn in Ceredigion, and Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire in being commended for unspoilt beauty, excellent water quality and a high standard of environmental education.  

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Our award-winning beaches are a real asset for the city and a huge draw for visitors and locals alike.

“Gaining and retaining blue flag status takes a lot of time and investment so locals and visitors can enjoy clean, safe and beautiful beaches all year-round. So we are delighted to once again fly the Blue Flags at some of our most iconic Gower beaches.”

Alongside the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards, Seaside Awards were given to 15 beaches across Wales, including Aberavon in Neath Port Talbot, Aberystwyth South and North, Penarth and Barry Island’s Whitmore Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan. This is a UK-only beach award available in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, with its distinctive yellow and blue flag signifying a clean, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch, with a good standard of water quality, public facilities, safety provision and management.  

The Wales Coast Awards have been managed by Keep Wales Tidy for more than 20 years and signify that a beach or marina meets and maintains the highest environmental standards and achieves tough water quality targets, as well as ensuring high standards of information provision, environmental education, safety, and site management.  

The Awards are voluntary and recognise the huge effort of staff and volunteers across Wales who are committed to protecting and preserving our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances. 

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy congratulated Swansea on its award-winning coastal locations. 

He said: “Congratulations to Swansea on its Coast Award-winning beaches for 2025. Swansea is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Wales and we’re delighted to see this recognised in the 2025 Wales Coast Awards. Not only are these beautiful beaches to visit, but visitors can. Ow be assured that they are clean, safe and well-managed with excellent facilities too.” 

He added: “The Wales Coast Awards are a fantastic celebration of Wales’ beautiful and diverse coastline and are testament to the huge effort of staff and volunteers at sites across Wales. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.”  

#BlueFlag #BraceletBay #CaswellBay #Gower #GreenCoastAwards #KeepWalesTidy #LanglandBay #PortEynon #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Police issue snake warning for Gower dog walkers

Police have issued advice for dog walkers if their pet has been bitten by an adder, and urged owners to keep their dog on a lead at all times – particularly on the sand dunes of Port Eynon and near Worms Head in Rhosilli on Gower.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police’s Gower Neighbourhood Policing Team, who cover wildlife and rural crime, said: “Please be advised that we have received several reports regarding increased sightings of adders in Port Eynon (sand dunes) and near NCI Worm’s Head, Rhosilli. Please do the right thing and keep your dogs on leads at all times.

“Adders are the only venomous snakes in the UK and are generally active from early spring to October when they aren’t hibernating. They often live in sand dunes, hillsides, moors and woodlands and are more likely to bite dogs between April and July, especially in the late afternoon.

“If you suspect an adder has bitten your dog, immediately check for two small puncture marks, swelling or redness in the area – these are common signs of adder bites. It is important to keep your dog calm and still to prevent the venom spreading and seek veterinary advice ASAP.”

#adder #Dogs #Gower #PortEynon #RhossiliBay #snakeBite #snakes #SouthWalesPolice #WormsHead

Port Eynon collision sees Air Ambulance rescue to free person trapped inside car

Two fire crews attended the incident, together with the Welsh Ambulance Service, South Wales Police and the Wales Air Ambulance.

The casualty was trapped inside the vehicle after the collision and had to be cut out and airlifted to hospital.

A statement from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said:

“At 11.57am on Friday, January 31, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Swansea West and Gorseinon fire stations were called to an incident in Port Eynon in Swansea.

“Crews responded to a road traffic collision involving one private motor vehicle that had collided with a wall, with one casualty medically trapped inside the vehicle.

“Crews utilised road traffic collision cutting gear, stabilisation gears and small gear to release the casualty, who was then conveyed to hospital by air ambulance.

“This incident required a multi-agency response, with the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust, Wales Air Ambulance and South Wales Police also in attendance.”

[Lead image: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service]

#Collison #featured #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #PortEynon #WalesAirAmbulance

Swansea Council is aiming to fully reopen a section of the A4118 in Port Eynon for the weekend coming, after recent heavy rainfall led to a sinkhole appearing recently.

Road repair teams moved in today (Wednesday 11 September) to commence the work and temporarily closed the route for the start of the repairs.

Further temporary closures will be required during the morning of Thursday (12 September) while works are ongoing. A tarmac team will visit on Friday to complete the job and fully reopen the route ahead of the weekend.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure, said:

“Our maintenance teams are working as quick as they can to repair the road.

“The narrow nature of this main road to the beach at Port Eynon has meant the work and the temporary closure has created some disruption, both for residents and visitors.

“Thankfully, local people living near by have been very supportive of our efforts to repair the sinkhole despite the disruption.

 “I’m also very pleased with the response from our highway maintenance teams. The previous weekend brought many challenges with the heavy rainfall, with teams working throughout the night and the following days.”

[Lead image: Teresa Ashmole]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/11/repairs-underway-on-gower-beach-road-following-sinkhole/

#Gower #PortEynon #SinkHole #SwanseaCouncil

A sinkhole has opened up in Port Eynon, Gower, prompting police to close the road for the safety of the public. Swansea Council and South Wales Police are both in attendance at the scene on the A4118.

The council’s highway department are currently working at the scene, whilst police have closed the road between St Cadoc’s Church and The Laurels. The incident has resulted in considerable disruption for motorists.

Port Eynon Village Hall confirmed that the only access road to the area at the moment is through Horton, and police have asked drivers to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible.

A statement from South Wales Police read:

“We are at the scene of a sinkhole on the A4118, Port Eynon. The road is currently closed between St Cadoc’s Church and The Laurels.

“It is expected to remain closed for some time. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Delays are expected in the area.”

[Lead image: Teresa Ashmole]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/07/huge-sinkhole-opens-up-on-gower-road-restricting-access-to-port-eynon/

#Gower #PortEynon #SinkHole #SouthWalesPolice