Motorway tunnel opens after fire

29 July 2011 Last updated at 14:02 GMT The lorry was removed on Wednesday and overnight high-pressure cleaning was completed to allow works to begin

The Brynglas tunnel on the M4 motorway near Newport has fully reopened following a lorry fire on Tuesday.

But Transport Minister Carl Sargeant said there would be a 30mph speed limit as there was only partial lighting.

He said there had been work around the clock over the last 72 hours to clear debris and examine the tunnel on the westbound carriageway of the M4.

The lorry was removed on Wednesday and overnight high-pressure cleaning was completed to allow works to begin.

The Welsh Government said engineers spent Thursday carrying out a full structural, technical and safety inspection while a major clean-up operation continued.

The eastbound tunnel had been reopened on Tuesday afternoon with a contraflow system.

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Following the structural assessment that was concluded earlier this morning - and the considerable amount of work carried out on the tunnels over the last 72 hours - the westbound tunnel has now been reopened”

End Quote Carl Sargeant Transport Minister All damaged lighting in the tunnel was removed, and lighting in the eastern section was being cleaned, repaired and tested.

Mr Sargeant said: "Following the structural assessment that was concluded earlier this morning - and the considerable amount of work carried out on the tunnels over the last 72 hours - the westbound tunnel has now been reopened.

"This morning we have resurfaced sections of the tunnel, replaced white lining, replaced reflective studs and cleaned the tunnel bore and surfacing.

"The westbound tunnel will be opened with only partial lighting.

"It will therefore be opened under a 30mph speed restriction which will remain in place until we are able to carry out improvements to the tunnel over the coming weeks during a series of night time closures to minimise disruption to road users."

The minister said he wanted to express his appreciation "for the professionalism of the emergency services and the team, who have worked tirelessly to reopen the tunnel before the Friday rush-hour in addition to the patience and understanding of motorists".

He added: "The initial blaze was dealt with expediently, with the safety of motorists paramount.

The tunnel, described as the main artery into Wales, reopened fully to traffic on Friday afternoon

"The fact that there were no fatalities or injuries, even though the fire took place during rush hour, is a testament to the skill and dedication of the emergency professionals involved."

Described as the main artery into Wales, the tunnel was closed on Tuesday morning following the incident at about 0830 BST.

Despite the severity of the blaze, and the chaos that followed, the lorry driver escaped unhurt.

Firefighters spent most of the day tackling the blaze, and black smoke was seen billowing from the tunnel.

Drivers caught in the congestion reported taking up to an hour to travel a mile, with lengthy tailbacks spanning several junctions.

The incident has re-opened the debate on whether an M4 relief road is needed.

Speaking before the reopening, Rhodri-Gwynn Jones, director of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Wales, said the heat from the blaze could have caused concrete to expand and crack.

Keith Jones, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers Wales, said the tunnel's steel roof, which was extensively damaged, would be removed so workers could get to the concrete lining underneath.

The cost of repairing the 44-year-old tunnel "could run from tens of thousands of pounds to millions, depending on extent of the damage", but would be covered by insurance, he said.

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Two airlifted after coastal falls

15 July 2011 Last updated at 09:47 GMT Two women have been airlifted to hospital after separate falls on the south Wales coast.

A 28-year-old woman fell down a cliff face she was climbing at St Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire after a boulder came off in her hand and hit her head.

She was flown to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff following the incident at 2030 BST on Thursday.

An hour later, a 60-year-old woman broke her leg in a fall while walking at Pennard Burrows on Gower.

She was also taken to the same hospital.

Coastguards said they were alerted to the cliff climber's fall by a member of the public who heard her friends shouting for help.

She was taken back up the cliff face by a coastguard rescue team and transferred to a waiting RAF rescue helicopter.

At 2130 BST Swansea Coastguard received a call from the Welsh Ambulance Service requesting help for the 60-year-old woman, who had fractured her leg.

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Official 'suspended' after leak

13 July 2011 Last updated at 18:37 GMT The PCS has raised concerns about the possible closure of Welsh Government offices A civil servant has been suspended for revealing proposals to close Welsh Government offices, says a trade union.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said one of its representatives had been suspended for passing on information.

The Welsh Government declined to comment about the suspension.

Ministers have said they are committed to keeping jobs at the offices proposed for closure.

The Welsh Government is considering a location strategy which the PCS warned earlier this month could see some offices close.

It said there would be a threat of redundancies if offices in Llandrindod Wells and Newtown, Powys, closed because of the distance to bigger Welsh Government offices in Aberystwyth.

There are 117 staff at Llandrindod Wells and 83 at Newtown.

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I have told the civil service clearly that no document was leaked to the press or anybody else by PCS”

End Quote Peter Harris PCS Wales secretary The union has also raised concerns about the impact of closing an office in Caernarfon where there are 92 staff.

'Blowing the whistle'

PCS Wales secretary Peter Harris said the union was "happy that we've had some assurances about keeping a presence now in those locations".

"The bad news, very disappointingly, is a union representative working for the Welsh Government has been suspended," he said.

"I just cannot understand why a union representative has been suspended for blowing the whistle that there are jobs at risk in mid Wales and other parts of Wales."

He added: "I have told the civil service clearly that no document was leaked to the press or anybody else by PCS."

If the suspended official lost his job it would "cause havoc to industrial relations" and "could even result in industrial action", he said.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We do not comment on staffing matters."

In a statement, Finance Minister Jane Hutt said the government was committed to retaining jobs in Caernarfon, Carmarthen, Newtown and Llandrindod Wells.

She said it was exploring opportunities to co-locate with other parts of the public sector, encouraging flexible working, hot desking, working from home and using other Welsh Government buildings.

Plaid Cymru AM Alun Ffred Jones, who raised the issued in the Senedd chamber on Wednesday, said: "These regional offices are vitally important to the communities they serve.

"Cutting any of these services would be a terrible blow for those areas. "

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Long tailbacks after cars collide

14 July 2011 Last updated at 14:39 GMT A collision between two cars on the A48 dual carriageway in Carmarthenshire caused long tailbacks earlier according to police.

The vehicles collided at about 1330 BST near the Bristol House lay-by on the eastern carriageway between Pont Abraham and Cross Hands.

Dyfed-Powys Police said an air ambulance was called to the scene.

The force does not yet have details of any injuries.

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Castle reopens with glass bridge after £1m revamp

16 July 2011 Last updated at 12:52 GMT The work at Oystermouth is part of ?19m Welsh Government heritage project Swansea's Oystermouth Castle has reopened after the completion of the first phase of a ?1m revamp.

The work provides public access into part of the castle for the first time in hundreds of years.

It also includes a 30ft (10m) high glass bridge.

The work is part a ?19m Welsh Government project to boost the contribution tourism at heritage sites makes to the Welsh economy.

Oystermouth Castle, which overlooks the Mumbles, closed last autumn, and the building project is said to assure the building's long term sustainability.

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Castles such as this are a physical reminder of our rich heritage and tell the story of our nation”

End Quote Carwyn Jones First Minister The bridge gives access into Alina's Chapel, which is thought to be linked to Alina de Breos, daughter of William de Breos III, Lord of Gower.

It was added to the castle in the 14th Century and is its highest point, giving views across Swansea Bay.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said, "Oystermouth Castle is a great example of the terrific ancient buildings we have in Wales.

"Castles such as this are a physical reminder of our rich heritage and tell the story of our nation.

'First-class attraction'

"The Welsh Government is delighted to be helping to fund the restoration work that will make the site a first-class attraction for Mumbles and Swansea and preserves the castle for future generations."

The Welsh Government is contributing ?400,000 through its heritage section, Cadw, and ?585,000 has been provided from the European Regional Development Fund.

Denbigh Castle is to undergo a ?600,000 revamp

A grant has also come from the Heritage Lottery Fund with further help from Swansea city and county council.

Other work includes a new visitor centre with an activities area outside, improved accessibility for people with disabilities, and a refurbished toilet block.

A castle community co-ordinator has also been appointed to manage a wide range of events.

The area below Alina's Chapel will be developed into a multi-functional room.

Elsewhere, 700-year-old Harlech Castle in Gwynedd is to get a new visitor centre, after heritage officials bought a neighbouring hotel for conversion.

Meanwhile, Denbigh Castle, Denbighshire, is undergoing a ?600,000 revamp, including a new visitor centre.

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Man blinded after seabird attack

12 July 2011 Last updated at 12:13 GMT Michael Buckland, from Cardiff, spent three days being treated by specialists at Singleton Hospital.

A man has been blinded in one eye after an injured gannet he was carrying across a beach on Gower, south Wales pecked his eyeball out of its socket.

Michael Buckland, 38, from Cardiff, spent three days being treated by eye specialists at Swansea's Singleton Hospital.

The seabird pierced his eyeball and cut his eyelid in two with its beak

Mr Buckland, a welder, has been told the chances of him regaining sight in his right eye are very slim.

He recalled how he was walking on the beach with his girlfriend when the attack happened last month.

Mr Buckland told BBC Wales: "We were just walking along the beach and seen a seagull or gannet in the seaweed so I went over and picked it up - I was going to take it to the sand dunes.

"A family walked up with their dog. The dog was jumping up trying to get its tail and as I looked down at the dog all I saw was a beak coming straight towards my eyes.

"The surgeon said it pecked me about three times. Its beak went through the centre of my eyeball."

Mr Buckland was carrying the injured bird to safety when it attacked him

He was rushed to hospital where he had 11 stitches across his eyeball which doctors managed to replace and his right eyelid was sewn up.

Mr Buckland said he has been told he will never be able to work as a welder again.

"They said I've got to have an operation in four months time - they are going to take the stitches out and see about another operation to try and get my sight back but they said [the chances are] very slim."

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