#cllrpetermay — Public Fediverse posts

Uplands councillors join Liberal Democrats as former party leader hits back

Councillors Sandra Joy and Allan Jeffery, who were elected as Uplands Party candidates in 2022 before becoming Independents last year, have now joined the Liberal Democrats. The party announced the move as a boost ahead of the Senedd elections in May, saying it strengthens their position in Swansea.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS welcomed the pair, stating: “Sandra and Allan are exactly the kind of councillors communities want representing them. Rooted in their area, working hard for residents and not afraid to speak up when something was not right.”

She added that with services stretched and communities feeling taken for granted, “Only the Liberal Democrats can beat Labour, stop Reform and deliver for Swansea.”

Councillor Sandra Joy said joining the Liberal Democrats felt like the right step, stating that she and Allan Jeffery were “still the same people who would speak their minds and fight for Uplands every day, but now as part of a growing team ready to take the city in a better direction.”

However, the move has been strongly criticised by Uplands Party leader, Cllr Peter May, who provided additional context on the defections.

In a statement to Swansea Bay News, Cllr May pointed out this was the councillors’ second defection. He also revealed that Cllr Sandra Joy had moved out of the Uplands Ward to Sketty in June 2025, making her ineligible to continue as an Uplands Party councillor.

“She is seeking to run in Sketty ward in the council elections in 2027 which is presently held by the Liberal Democrats,” Cllr May said.

He also highlighted Cllr Allan Jeffery’s past electoral performance. “Allan Jeffery ran unsuccessfully in the Uplands ward as a Liberal Democrat in 2017. He polled 366 votes and finished 12th out of 18 candidates,” Cllr May stated.

“In 2022 he ran as an Uplands Party candidate and was successfully elected securing 1641 votes and finished 4th out of the 4 elected councillors. If he is running as a returning Liberal Democrat in 2027, I look forward to the contest.”

The Liberal Democrats now hold 13 of the 75 seats on Swansea Council.

#CllrAllanJeffery #CllrPeterMay #CllrSandraJoy #JaneDoddsMS #PeterMay #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands #UplandsParty #WelshLiberalDemocrats

Brynymor Road sinkhole shuts street again just hours after councillors’ photo‑op

A new hole has appeared on Brynymor Road, close to the junction with Westbury Street and King Edward Road, just inches from the section that was patched earlier this month. The collapse has reignited safety fears and left residents asking how long the street can stay open before the ground gives way again.

From ribbon‑cutting smiles to flashing blue lights

On Tuesday, councillors marked the reopening with photo‑ops at the repaired site. By Wednesday, cones and flashing police lights were back, sealing off the street as crews scrambled to respond to the fresh failure.

Cllr Peter May gives the thumbs up on Brynymor Road after sinkhole repairs reopened the busy Uplands route.Council cabinet member Andrew Stevens poses beside the freshly repaired section of Brynymor Road, following emergency works to fill a sinkhole that forced the street’s closure earlier this month.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Local resident George Hawkins snapped the scene and posted it to Facebook with a single emoji caption: 💀 — a blunt verdict on the repair job.

Closed earlier this month, closed again now

The road was first shut earlier this month when a large sinkhole appeared, sparking emergency works. After days of disruption, the street was reopened — only for a second collapse to follow within hours, forcing another closure and raising questions about whether deeper structural issues are being missed.

Council pressed for answers

Swansea Council has been approached for comment on the recurrence and whether further investigations will now be carried out. For now, residents are left wondering if the authority is really looking into it.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Sinkhole forces road closure in Swansea’s Bryn‑y‑Mor Road
Initial closure earlier this month after a large sinkhole appeared near Westbury Street.

Brynymor Road sinkhole larger than expected, says councillor
Councillor Peter May warned repairs would take longer after Welsh Water accepted liability.

Sinkhole mystery solved: collapse blamed on old manhole
Engineers ruled out mine workings, saying an old manhole caused the collapse before Christmas reopening.

Brynymor Road reopens after sinkhole drama
Councillors posed for photos as the road reopened following emergency repairs.

#BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #CllrAndrewStevens #CllrPeterMay #roadClosure #Sinkhole #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands

Brynymor Road reopens after sinkhole drama

Road back in action

The busy route was shut after a gaping hole appeared near Brynymor Crescent, sparking fears of underground mine workings and leaving businesses counting the cost of lost footfall.

Investigations have now confirmed the fault was caused by an old manhole collapsing beneath the surface. Swansea Council’s highways maintenance teams have carried out repairs, allowing traffic to return just in time for the Christmas rush.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The sinkhole resulted in the council needing to implement a full road closure while we investigated the causes. Our highways maintenance teams have done an excellent job, repairing the road as quickly as they have. This should be great news for local businesses, residents and motorists who regularly use this route.”

Councillors welcome swift action

Uplands Party councillors praised the council’s response but acknowledged the disruption.

Cllr Peter May said: “I would like to thank the council teams for their prompt investigation work and repair on this. When a sinkhole opens, there are a lot of unknowns to examine before any repair can be carried out. It has certainly had an impact on the local area.”

Cllr Stuart Rice added: “We have been working with local traders on Brynymor Road to try and mitigate the effect that the sinkhole had on footfall. Hopefully it will now be business as usual again for them in the crucial run up to Christmas.”

From mystery to repair

The sinkhole saga gripped the Uplands for weeks, with speculation about possible mine links and councillors warning the collapse was larger than first thought. Swansea Bay News reported extensively on the closure, from the initial shock to the investigation and the promise of repairs before Christmas.

Now, with the road back open, attention turns to recovery for local businesses and reassurance for residents who watched a key city route vanish beneath their feet.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Sinkhole mystery solved: collapse blamed on old manhole
Investigations revealed the cause of the Brynymor Crescent sinkhole and hopes for a pre‑Christmas reopening.

Council investigates possible mine link to Brynymor Crescent sinkhole
Early fears suggested historic mine workings could be to blame for the collapse.

Brynymor Road sinkhole larger than expected, says councillor
Councillors warned the collapse was more extensive than first thought.

Sinkhole forces road closure in Swansea’s Brynymor Road
The initial shock closure that disrupted traffic and businesses in the Uplands.

#BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #CllrAndrewStevens #CllrPeterMay #CllrStuartRice #roadClosure #Sinkhole #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaSinkhole #Uplands

Sinkhole mystery solved: Brynymor Crescent collapse blamed on old manhole – road could reopen before Christmas

Contractors have now completed investigations and confirmed the cause of the collapse was an ageing underground structure that had gone unnoticed beneath the tarmac. Backfilling began yesterday, and resurfacing is due to start next week.

If the weather holds, the road could reopen before Christmas – though heavy rain forecast for Monday and Tuesday may cause delays.

The update marks a turning point in a saga that began in late November, when a sudden collapse forced the closure of Brynymor Crescent and sparked speculation about historic mine shafts beneath the area.

Earlier reports suggested the sinkhole was “larger than expected” and potentially linked to old workings — but the latest findings rule that out.

Cllr Peter May said:

“The team have established that the cause of collapse was an old manhole beneath the road surface. This has now been dealt with and contractors began backfilling yesterday, with resurfacing to begin next week.”

Pending no unforeseen issues, the road should be open by the end of next week — or earlier if possible.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Sinkhole forces road closure in Bryn-y-Mor Road
A sudden collapse shuts down a busy Swansea street, sparking urgent investigations.

Brynymor sinkhole ‘larger than expected’
Councillor warns the damage may be more extensive than first thought as investigations continue.

Council investigates possible mine link
Officials explore whether historic mine workings could be behind the Brynymor Crescent collapse.

#BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #CllrPeterMay #manhole #roadClosure #Sinkhole #Uplands

Councillor warns culvert collapse could leave Cwmbwrla at risk over Christmas

At the full council meeting on 6 November 2025, Cllr Peter Black CBE (Liberal Democrats, Cwmbwrla) told members that homes had once again been inundated after water levels rose higher than in previous floods. He cautioned that until the culvert is rebuilt, the risk of repeat flooding remains.

Black said one of the pumps failed early during the storm, leaving the council “without control of the situation,” and urged urgent measures to provide extra resilience for residents.

Praise for drainage and clean‑up teams

Other councillors acknowledged the scale of the challenge and praised highways and drainage staff for their response. Andrew Stevens (Labour, Gorseinon) said teams had been called in to deal with over 40,000 drains across Swansea, working through the night to keep roads open. Cllr Peter May (Uplands Party, Uplands) described their efforts as “A1,” noting floodwaters dissipated within hours thanks to their work.

Council Leader Rob Stewart (Labour, Morriston) also thanked staff, stressing that officers had worked “diligently” to keep services running during the storm.

Their praise echoed earlier coverage by Swansea Bay News, which reported how council teams worked through the night to clear debris and reopen the Cwmbwrla roundabout following the floods. The clean‑up operation was described as “superb,” with staff ensuring the busy junction was made safe for traffic again.

Collapsed culvert at Cwmfelin Club

Council Leader Rob Stewart (Labour, Morriston) stressed that the repeated flooding at Cwmbwrla was not caused by blocked drains but by the collapsed culvert on private land near the Cwmfelin Club:

“There is a specific issue relating to a collapsed culvert on private land. It cannot handle the water it would normally take away from that area.”

Cllr Peter Black CBE (Liberal Democrats, Cwmbwrla) warned that the repair work will take months, leaving residents exposed to further risk if temporary pumps are overwhelmed:

“This is not going to be fixed before Christmas. This is not going to be fixed until January at the very earliest and it’s going to have more torrential rain events like that again. And we cannot sustain another flood like that in Cwmbwrla if we can help it.”

Wider impact across Swansea

Councillors noted flooding affected wards across the city, with leaf fall adding to the challenge of keeping gullies clear. Swansea Council has already urged residents to help by reporting hotspots where leaves are piling up on pavements and roads, as cleansing teams step up their seasonal clear‑up.

Over recent weeks, crews have removed hundreds of tonnes of leaves across the city, with extra resources diverted from other cleansing work to keep drains clear and footpaths safe. A new leaf‑sucking and mulching machine is being used to vacuum up large piles of leaves and shred them into mulch for disposal — allowing teams to cover more ground more quickly.

Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said the new kit would help crews lift even more leaves efficiently, but warned:

“It only takes a couple of days of wind and rain to see a further build‑up, particularly in areas with lots of trees.”

Residents are being encouraged to report problem areas directly to the cleansing team so they can be prioritised for clearance.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Cwmbwrla roundabout reopens after flooding clean‑up
Council teams worked through the night to clear debris and reopen the busy junction following torrential rain.

Council says: Give us a hand with fallen leaves
Residents are urged to report leaf hotspots as crews deploy new equipment to keep drains clear this autumn.

Swansea Council reaffirms City of Sanctuary status in social cohesion vote
Councillors backed a motion to maintain Swansea’s City of Sanctuary status, stressing tolerance and inclusion across communities.

#blockedDrains #CllrAndrewStevens #CllrPeterBlack #CllrPeterMay #CllrRobStewart #culvert #Cwmbwrla #cwmbwrlaFlooding #CwmbwrlaRoundabout #CwmfelinSocialCLub #flooding #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

Swansea councillors vow to fight for Ospreys as WRU cuts loom

At Swansea Council’s full council meeting on 6 November 2025, members from across the chamber united in opposition to the WRU’s restructuring, warning it risks the future of the Ospreys and undermines rugby in the west.

WRU’s three‑club plan

The WRU has confirmed it intends to reduce the number of professional teams in Wales from four to three, citing financial pressures and the need to concentrate resources. The plan would leave only three regions competing at the top level, with the Ospreys and Scarlets both facing uncertainty over their future. Critics have branded the move “short‑sighted” and “not fit for purpose,” warning it would weaken the game in West Wales and damage pathways for young players.

“The only true region”

Deputy Leader David Hopkins (Labour, Townhill) told councillors the Ospreys are “the only true region” and their contribution to communities and the wider game is “invaluable.” He said the council is already working closely with the club to secure its future.

Opposition leader Chris Holley OBE (Liberal Democrats, Cwmbwrla) agreed, warning that reducing to three regions would be “a backward step” and “doesn’t help us in this region.”

Council leader calls plan “flawed”

Council Leader Rob Stewart (Labour, Morriston) branded the WRU’s plan “flawed in every respect,” stressing the Ospreys are Wales’ most successful region. “We will continue to bat as hard as we can for them to remain,” he said, confirming ongoing dialogue with the union.

St Helen’s redevelopment plans

The debate also touched on the Ospreys’ future home. Cllr Peter May (Uplands Party, Uplands) noted the club had been planning a move to St Helen’s in his ward, describing it as “an exciting time” for the area.

Planning approval for the redevelopment of St Helen’s was granted earlier this year, with proposals including new facilities and improvements to the historic ground. At the time, Rob Stewart welcomed the decision, saying it would “secure the Ospreys’ long‑term future in Swansea and provide a boost for rugby and the city.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Council leader welcomes planning approval for Ospreys’ St Helen’s stadium redevelopment
Planning approval granted for redevelopment of St Helen’s, with council leader Rob Stewart hailing the move as a boost for rugby and the city.

Ospreys facing uncertain future as WRU plans to cut regions
WRU confirms controversial plan to reduce professional teams from four to three, sparking concern for West Wales rugby.

#CllrChrisHolley #CllrDavidHopkins #CllrPeterMay #CllrRobStewart #Ospreys #Rugby #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #WRU