#glynneath — Public Fediverse posts

WATERFALL COUNTRY: £6-a-day car park opens early at Pontneddfechan — as MP questions plan to lease it to a private operator

A new 136-space car park is now open at Pontneddfechan, with Neath Port Talbot Council saying it made “considerable efforts” to open the facility ahead of schedule to help manage the impact of peak summer visitor traffic on the village.

The car park is the first part of a wider suite of visitor facilities at the gateway to Waterfall Country, with a children’s play park, an eight-bedroom visitor accommodation building and a farm/community shop all due to open later this year. The project is funded by the UK Government.

The council said the development is “purposely designed for better management of existing visitor numbers and is not designed to stimulate further trips”, offering what it called a safer, more organised arrival point for visitors and easing congestion in the village and surrounding areas.

The car park operates seven days a week from 8am to 10pm, with gates locked at 10pm and no overnight parking permitted. Parking is charged at a flat rate of £6 a day, payable at the on-site machine by coins or card, or through the MiPermit app.

The council said the price had been “deliberately set to reflect existing provision across the region”, adding: “Setting a lower charge could lead to an increase in visitor numbers, which would risk adding further pressure to the village and undermine the overall aims of the development.”

New toilet facilities on the site are also now open daily between 8am and 7pm.

Waterfall Country — the stretch of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park between Pontneddfechan and Ystradfellte that is home to more than a dozen waterfalls — has seen years of pressure from visitor traffic, with residents left unable to cope with the number of cars attempting to park in the village. A free park and ride service was first piloted in 2021 in an attempt to ease the congestion. The scheme returned in later summers as pressure on the village continued.

The council consulted on £7.7m of development plans for the village in 2023. Construction started last summer.

But the scheme’s operating model is facing questions. In a letter seen by Swansea Bay News, David Chadwick, the Liberal Democrat MP for neighbouring Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, wrote to the council’s chief executive Frances O’Brien on 16 June raising concerns passed to him by constituents about “the sequencing of decisions, the procurement model being adopted and the long-term implications for residents and local businesses”.

Mr Chadwick said he understood the council had begun procurement for a long-term operating lease of the visitor hub — including the accommodation, retail facilities, public toilets and the car park — before the outcome of the current Traffic Regulation Order consultation is known, and asked how prospective operators were expected to assess the commercial value of the opportunity before parking restrictions in the village are finalised.

He also questioned why no Preliminary Market Engagement exercise was carried out before procurement began, and asked whether alternatives had been considered — including keeping the car park under direct public management while leasing only the commercial elements of the development.

“Several constituents have questioned whether a publicly funded parking facility, developed primarily to address visitor management challenges, should form part of a private commercial lease rather than remaining under public control with any surplus revenue being reinvested into local infrastructure, visitor management and community benefit,” he wrote.

The MP also raised the question of capacity. A visitor traffic study commissioned by the national park authority identified substantial excess parking demand during peak periods, including significant pressure within Pontneddfechan itself, and Mr Chadwick asked whether the new 136-space car park is sufficient to meet that demand — and what happens when it fills up, including any assessment of parking displacing into surrounding areas.

Noting that earlier studies around Waterfall Country had emphasised community-led solutions and tangible local benefit from tourism, he asked what opportunities local businesses, community organisations and residents would have to influence how the facility is run.

“Given the scale of public investment involved and the importance of maintaining public confidence in the project, I would be grateful for a detailed response to these matters,” he wrote.

The council’s announcement notes that the accommodation and shop will open “once an operator has been appointed” — the appointment at the heart of the MP’s questions.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Project to ease traffic chaos near popular waterfalls to start this summer
Work began last summer on the new parking and visitor facilities at Pontneddfechan.

Council asks for views on Pontneddfechan development at gateway to waterfalls
The £7.7m development plans went out to public consultation in 2023.

Vale of Neath to become major heritage attraction after £17.7m Levelling Up Fund success
The UK Government funding that is paying for the Waterfall Country improvements.

NEATH PORT TALBOT: Safer routes to schools, stations and parks — the walking and cycling plans for your area

Getting the kids to school on foot. Cycling to the station instead of driving. Reaching the local park without walking along a busy road.

These are the kinds of everyday journeys behind a set of new walking, wheeling and cycling routes proposed across Neath Port Talbot, which the council says would make active travel easier and safer.

The council has drawn up a long list of routes it wants to add or improve, each one intended, it says, to fix a spot where getting around without a car is currently hard, unsafe or impossible.

There is a catch worth stating up front: these are “future routes” — lines on a map marking where the council wants to act, not funded, designed schemes with a start date. But routes have to be on the map to qualify for Welsh Government money, which is why the council wants views now.

Here’s a flavour of what’s proposed, area by area.

Neath, Skewen and the surrounding villages

In Skewen, the railway currently cuts the village off from Neath Abbey. The council is proposing a route along the lane between Pale Road and the railway bridge, with a link along Cardonnel Road, which it says would reconnect the two — plus a separate path through Skewen Park to create a traffic-free way across the village.

At Cadoxton, a new path along Bryn Catwg would, according to the plans, give families a step-free route to Cadoxton Community Park.

Aberdulais and Cilfrew are split by the railway and the River Dulais. The council says a proposed route over the bridge, joining New Road to Cefn-yr-Allt, would connect the two communities.

For commuters, the council has placed some of its highest-priority schemes around Neath train station, with another new link aimed at getting people safely to Briton Ferry station.

Port Talbot, Aberavon and Taibach

In Taibach, the council says a route along Lady Charlotte Lane would make it easier to reach the community centre, the education centre and Mount Surgery.

A second Taibach route, along the path between Wood Street and Elba Avenue, is intended to improve the traffic-free options through Margam’s residential streets.

In east Port Talbot, the plans propose a route along Pen-y-Cae Road to improve access around the Tan-y-Groes Street roundabout.

Much of Port Talbot’s town centre, seafront and Sandfields network already ranks among the highest-priority routes in the borough, alongside a proposed walking and cycling link to Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

Cwmavon, Glynneath and the Neath valleys

At Cwmavon, the council is proposing an off-road path along the western bank of the River Afan, which it says would give people on the Gwaun Afan estate a direct, traffic-free route in and out, tying into National Cycle Network Route 887.

In Glynneath, the plans include a route from the B4242 to the library, intended to put key community buildings within safe reach on foot or by bike.

At Resolven, the council is proposing a quieter alternative to the B4434 along Heol Herbert.

In Seven Sisters, officers say a route along Heol Heddwch and Tan-y-Rhiw would give children a safer way to reach Blaendulais Primary School and connect homes to the village’s sports and play facilities.

Also at Resolven, the council is proposing to extend an existing route along the B4434 to Melincourt, to serve possible new housing sites.

In Croeserw, the plans propose a walking route linking Viaduct Road to the village via Eastern Avenue, South Avenue and Bryn Siriol.

Pontardawe and the Swansea Valley

Along the Swansea Canal near Pontardawe, the council is proposing a towpath route it says would create a continuous, car-free path through the Swansea Valley.

Elsewhere in Pontardawe, the plans note that the A474 currently allows no pedestrian access, and propose a new link up to Glan-Rhyd Road to address it.

Higher up, a future route from Tairgwaith to Cwmllynfell, via the reservoir, is intended to open access to a new visitor destination in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen.

How the routes are chosen — and how to have your say

Each route has been scored and ranked by Transport for Wales, which weighed how many people would use it and how well it connects schools, workplaces and local centres. That ranking helps decide which come forward first.

But the council is clear that ranking doesn’t guarantee delivery: every scheme still depends on funding, design and further consultation.

Cllr Wyndham Griffiths, the council’s cabinet member for strategic planning, transport and connectivity, said the aim was to help people make everyday journeys — to school, work or the shops — in a healthy, safe and sustainable way.

He said the consultation gave people and businesses a chance to say where changes were most needed, which would then shape the council’s funding bids.

The council says it especially wants to hear where walking, wheeling or cycling currently feels unsafe or difficult, and where links between communities are missing.

The 12-week consultation runs until 21 September. People can complete an online survey on DataMapWales, or view paper copies at Neath and Port Talbot libraries. Drop-in events will run over the summer, with dates listed at npt.gov.uk/activetravel.

This consultation follows earlier council proposals for active travel schemes across the borough, including a major revamp for Sandfields and Aberavon, a masterplan for Neath town centre and a proposed Neath to Cimla route.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Major revamp planned for Sandfields and Aberavon as council unveils huge active travel upgrade
A £multi-million, 4.7km scheme to link Aberavon seafront with Afan Way.

Council looks for views on new Neath cycling and walking plans
Three routes proposed for improvement in and around Neath town centre.

Council seeks views on proposed Neath to Cimla walking, cycling and wheeling route
An earlier consultation on a key active travel link in the Cimla area.

https://www.europesays.com/uk/1014065/ Man suffered horrendous injuries in M4 crash #Glynneath #Health #JerseyMarine #m4 #NeathPortTalbot #NHS #TrafficAndTravel #Transport #UK #UnitedKingdom #UniversityHospitalOfWales

Man suffered horrendous injuries in M4 crash

Oliver Perry suffered a brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, and complete blindness and deafness on his left side after…
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https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/627352/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/952570/ Police officer loses job after sting by his own colleagues #Britain #Courts #Crime #Drugs #Glynneath #GreatBritain #NeathPortTalbot #NewportCrownCourt #SouthWalesPolice #UK #UnitedKingdom #Wales

Glynneath man jailed after campaign of abuse against partner

Court hears details of assaults

Swansea Crown Court was told that 39‑year‑old Gavin Powell, of Bethania Street, Glynneath, carried out two assaults in January this year.

On New Year’s Day 2025, Powell grabbed his partner by the throat, forced her face into a pillow and bit her on the face and nose. Just over two weeks later, on January 17, he turned up at her home intoxicated and became aggressive after learning she had spoken to a former boyfriend.

The court heard Powell punched her in the face, pinned her down on a sofa and repeatedly struck her body and arms. When she tried to escape, he kicked her in the leg, dragged her back by the hair and demanded she go upstairs.

The victim later sought medical help at Neath Port Talbot Hospital and was advised to attend Morriston Hospital’s emergency department due to the extent of her injuries. In a statement read to the court, she said Powell’s behaviour had made her feel like her life was “not worth living any more” and that she had been left suffering flashbacks and fear.

Guilty plea and sentencing

Powell initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

Judge Catherine Richards described the attacks as “prolonged and persistent” and imposed a five‑year restraining order preventing Powell from contacting his victim.

Police statement

Following sentencing, PC Lee Morgan of South Wales Police said: “Gavin Powell carried out vile attacks on his partner and left her living a life of fear and misery. Nobody should ever have to put up with any form of abuse from their partner. We are pleased that with his arrest and sentencing, she will not have to put up with his abuse any longer. We hope that she can now move on with her life, free from Gavin Powell’s abuse.”

Support for survivors

South Wales Police emphasised that domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality or background. Survivors are urged to report abuse online, call 101, or dial 999 in an emergency. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

#domesticAbuse #domesticViolence #Glynneath #SouthWalesPolice

Resolven man jailed after violent attack on father and son in Glynneath

A man from Resolven has been jailed after he launched an unprovoked attack on a father outside his Glynneath home, leaving him with serious facial injuries, before striking the victim’s son in front of younger children.

The incident

On the morning of August 11, the victim was upstairs while his two young children played outside. When he noticed two men walking past, one shouting and swearing, he went downstairs to check on them.

Outside, he found Robin Griffiths, aged 34, speaking to the children. Griffiths accused the father of mocking him. When the man tried to explain he had simply been gesturing to his children, Griffiths punched him in the face.

The victim fell to the ground and was repeatedly struck, leaving him with an orbital bone fracture and restricted eye movement that required surgery. Griffiths then told him: “Now you know who I am.”

Children witnessed the attack

The man’s older son came outside to help his father and told Griffiths he was calling the police. Griffiths responded by slapping the boy in the chest and repeating the same threat. The two younger children witnessed the violence and were left crying outside the property.

Court hearing

Griffiths, of Neath Road, Resolven, was arrested and initially claimed self‑defence. He later admitted grievous bodily harm without intent and assault by beating.

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees sentenced him to 20 months in prison and imposed a five‑year restraining order preventing contact with the main victim.

In mitigation, defence barrister Kevin Seal said Griffiths had served in the army before being medically discharged with PTSD, and that the incident happened while he was in a drug‑induced state. He added that Griffiths’ remorse was genuine.

Police statement

Detective Inspector Danielle Thorne of South Wales Police said:

“Everybody should feel safe when they are within the confines of their own home or garden. There is absolutely no place for violent people like Robin Griffiths on our streets. It is only right that he should pay for his violence with a spell in prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Woman charged after town centre assault in Llanelli
A 39‑year‑old woman has been charged after a violent incident in Stepney Street left two people injured.

Two men charged over Pyle shooting remanded in custody
Armed police responded after bullets were found at a property in Pyle, leading to charges against two men.

Milford Haven woman jailed over knifepoint robbery attempt at Pill Corner Stores
A Milford Haven woman has been jailed after attempting a knifepoint robbery at a local convenience store.

Swansea man jailed for life for murder of Leanne Williams
Matthew Battenbough was sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting the murder of Leanne Williams in Townhill.

#assault #Glynneath #GlynneathAssault #Resolven #sentencing #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt