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BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Cardiff Central included in spending review rail cash
It has emerged that some of the money needed to redevelop Cardiff's main railway station will come from a pot of cash announced last week for Welsh week's UK government spending review allocated £445m for new rail projects - including five new local stations in Cardiff, Newport and Monmouthshire - but Cardiff Central was not mentioned at the proposed £140m Cardiff Central revamp aims to alleviate overcrowding and improve accessibility, with the UK government expected to Secretary Jo Stevens has now told BBC Wales that the funding "includes work we are doing" on that redevelopment. Stevens had told BBC Wales last week that the money for the station upgrade was is not clear how much is expected to come from the £445m pot announced in the spending have been concerns in the Welsh government over the last week that the £445m did include the cash for Central - meaning there would be less to spend on the other Minister Eluned Morgan, in a BBC Wales interview on Wednesday, suggested she was not sure whether the cash announced at the spending review included money for Cardiff Central or not, saying she had not seen the "detail".The £445m includes £300m that is meant to cover five new stations and improvement work in north Wales. Previous estimates for the five new stations put the cost of that project - together with the improvements that would be needed to the mainline - at £ a UK government minister told a Welsh MP he "might want to be a little more grateful" after he said the £445m offered was "insulting". Under the Transport for Wales proposals, up to £140m funding for the Cardiff Central project will be provided by the Department for Transport, Cardiff Capital Region and the Welsh include a larger concourse to increase capacity and improve passenger access through additional on a visit to Tylorstown in Rhondda, the first minister said on Wednesday: "What we have got is clarity in terms of how the five new stations that were announced by the chancellor will be funded and that is absolutely crucial."So if there is not enough money to fund that and Cardiff station they have to make sure they honour that."When asked whether the Cardiff station money might have been included in the £445m, she replied: "I haven't seen the detail of that. What I'm saying is that those five stations were promised by the chancellor."She added: "There's always going to be further discussions". The UK government allocated £445m of funding for Welsh rail improvements over ten years at last week's spending review.£300m will go to five new stations around Cardiff and Newport between 2026 and 2030, and a series of improvement works including measures to improve capacity in north £48m is earmarked for the South Wales Metro, while the rest is for future development said work on the Cardiff Central redevelopment "is already being delivered".Speaking to BBC Wales on Thursday, she said: "The announcement last week in the spending review of at least £445m for rail infrastructure in Wales, includes work we are doing around Cardiff Central redevelopment, but also some other work around projects that are already being delivered."She added: "It means passengers in Wales are going to have more capacity, more faster trains, more stations, and all the feedback I've had about that so far has been really, really positive." In the Commons on Thursday Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick took issue with the rail package."I hope the minister appreciates just how insulting it is for Welsh ears to been told that we're getting a fair deal when it comes to railway funding, when we've been cheated out of billions of pounds due to the classification of several projects as England [and] Wales said five new stations in south Wales was "hardly national renewal".In response, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said: "There's a huge difference. Under the last government you didn't get a penny."Jones said the UK government was providing the "largest real terms increase in spending in Wales since devolution began".He added: "You might want to be a little more grateful in future."Chadwick said in a statement: "This was a gobsmackingly arrogant response from the minister that just shows how out of touch Labour are with Wales."The previous UK government had supported the electrification of the south Wales mainline up to Cardiff, but cancelled it beyond Swansea. It also helped fund the South Wales Metro scheme. Welsh gov 'to decide on post-EU aid' Morgan also said she had asked for clarity around the UK government's new local growth funds, but had been told the Welsh government would decide where the money is £211m each year to Wales between 2026 and 2029, it will replace the Shared Prosperity Fund, set up by the Conservatives as a stand-in for European Union economic aid used to be administered by the Welsh government while the UK was in the European week Stevens said that the Welsh government would be "taking on a big decision-making role around that" with the Wales Office in Westminster having "oversight".The scheme would still be ultimately administered by the UK arrangement led to accusations in the Senedd on Wednesday, from Conservative MS Samuel Kurtz and Labour's Alun Davies, that UK Labour had broken a manifesto said that after seeking clarity she was clear that the Welsh government would decide where the cash goes."It will be the Welsh government deciding where that money is spent."We have had that reassurance from the secretary of state for Wales, and the prime minister made it clear from the stage of the Wales Labour Party conference," she said."As far as I am concerned we know where we stand on that. Now we know how much money we have got we can start a plan."
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
US rock star turns up at Welsh railway station with a guitar for impromptu performance
An American rock star made a surprise visit to south Wales as fans spotted him at a Cardiff railway station earlier this week. One half of rock duo Tenacious D, Kyle Gass, took a quick trip to Cardiff and Barry ahead of the final few dates on his UK tour. Although not performing in Cardiff for The Kyle Gass Company's 2025 UK tour, he decided to spontaneously visit the Welsh city as he was spotted playing Simon & Garfunkel's Homeward Bound at Cardiff Central railway station and strolling along Barry Island beach. The singer is known for being one half of the famous rock band, Tenacious D alongside fellow rockstar and Hollywood actor, Jack Black who recently starred in the box office smash, Minecraft. READ MORE: Life by the quiet beach 20 minutes from Cardiff where it feels like you've gone back in time READ MORE: Mum hurls knife at man after he 'pinched her and asked for sex' during boozy night in Gass has also made appearances in films such as Shallow Hal, with Jack Black, and Christmas classic, Elf. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter According to Bro Radio, the bandmate of Jack Black enjoyed a quiet moment by the sea as well as stopping in Romilly's Café taking pictures with the staff on Wednesday, May 28. Whilst waiting for his train at Cardiff Central railway station, Gass got out his guitar and sang the 1966 hit from the famous duo/ With the Cardiff sign clear in the background of his video shared on social media, fans were quick to welcome him to Wales. One person wrote: "Omg your in cardiff!! Welcome to Wales." With another saying: "Croeso I Cymru!!! Welcome to Wales!! Awesome." Gass and Black's heavy rock band, who've had hits such as Tribute and Beelzeboss are currently on hiatus after, in July 2024, Gass made a controversial remark about President Donald Trump's assassination attempt. The band cancelled their tour for the rest of summer last year. The controversy arose after Black presented his bandmate with a cake to celebrate his birthday whilst on stage in Australia. When asked to make a wish, Gass said: 'Don't miss Trump next time.' Kung-Fu Panda star Black has spoken about the band's future since, saying: " 'Yeah, we're friends. That hasn't changed. These things take time sometimes… And we'll be back when it feels right." This year, Gass has toured around Europe and the UK with The Kyle Gass Company with their last tour date in Stockport on Saturday, May 31.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Frantic search for two missing schoolgirls, 14 and 15, who both vanished from UK train station
AN URGENT search has been launched to find two missing schoolgirls who disappeared at a train station. Lily, 15, and Poppy, 14, vanished together at around 6.30pm yesterday evening. They teenagers were last seen at Cardiff Central train station. Cops believe the pair are still together, and are in the Cardiff area. A South Wales Police spokesperson said: "Lilly, 15 (left), and Poppy, 14, have been reported missing. Both last seen yesterday evening about 6.30pm at Cardiff Central railway station. "We believe they're still together in the Cardiff area. "Any info? Contact us, quoting ref 2500170182 for Lilly and 2500170195 for Poppy." 2 2 Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
All the best things to do in Pontcanna, Cardiff's most stylish neighbourhood
P ontcanna, located close to Cardiff city centre, has blossomed into a stylish neighbourhood with much to offer families and young professionals. Smart, cool with a distinct Welsh feel, it's home to leafy high streets with flourishing independent shops, cafes and restaurants. It's a great place to taste local produce, from treats in the park to Michelin-starred tasting menus – Pontcanna claims Cardiff's first. The neighbourhood's popularity dates to the Victorian period, when Sophia, widow of the second Marquess of Bute, financed the creation of Sophia Gardens. Large villas sprang up along the central Cathedral Road as well as the side streets, which in turn became an illustrious Edwardian area. These houses are now gold dust – no surprise, given their backdrop of sweeping green spaces and quirky neighbourhood gems all within a 30-minute walk to Cardiff Central train station. Here's our guide to experience the best of Pontcanna. Read more: North Wales is the perfect gateway to developing a hiking habit Do Browse the local farmer's market The Saturday market hosts local vendors and supports sustainable practices (Pontcanna Market) Every Saturday, the courtyard on King's Road becomes lively with vendors selling fresh local produce. Pick up some sourdough and mouth-watering pastries, organic fruit and vegetables, and Welsh cheese. Each month, the sellers are joined by Pontcanna Vintage Market, where you can pick up a one-off item. Catch a foreign film at Chapter Art Centre Free art exhibitions, independent film screenings and up-and-coming stand-up comedy, Chapter Art Centre is the alternative creative outlet in Pontcanna. With events including Archipelago Movement classes and a workshop exploring the ritual of communal singing as a survival mechanism, this is not your everyday community venue. The events programme and convivial cafe breathe life into the red-brick former Edwardian school building. Spend time in historic parks Pristine and atmospheric, the neighbourhood's parks – like Llandaff Fields and Pontcanna Fields – are a favoured local spots for picnics, dog walking, cycling, tennis and children's playgrounds. Enjoy a rustic pizza or a homemade sarnie from Cafe Castan – which does a roaring trade on Saturdays after Park Run – before tracing its footpath at points lined with lime trees. If Glamorgan Cricket Club is playing at home, you'll hear cheers spill out from neighbouring Sophia Gardens, Cardiff's international cricket venue. Cross over Blackweir Bridge into Bute Park, home to manicured gardens, wood sculptures and a significant arboretum as well as the modern Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and several of Cardiff University's grand buildings. Rest your legs at the Secret Garden Cafe, which serves delicious cakes and coffee and is entirely powered by solar energy. At the opposite end of this grade II-listed green space, at the entrance to the city centre, you'll find Cardiff Castle, which you can visit on a tour or admire from the grounds. Cardiff Castle is surrounded by the city's grade II-listed parklands (Getty Images) Read more: The best beaches in Pembrokeshire Go courtside at a premier sports centre Get stuck into the Welsh sporting culture with facilities fit for elite athletes. Show off your forehand at the bookable tennis, badminton, squash and even table tennis courts at Sport Wales National Centre. Located next to the Taff Trail walking route, it's easy to incorporate as you meander into Cardiff city centre. Read more: Cardiff city guide – where to stay, eat, drink and shop in the Welsh capital Eat Milkwood Neighbourhood hangout Milkwood serves up creative twists on familiar favourites (Owen Mathias) Trendy spot Milkwood has the city flocking to try its simple and delicious brunch offerings. With a menu inspired by Welsh ingredients, opt for bacon, cockles and laverbread (a type of edible seaweed) on toast, or visit after dusk for bespoke cocktails designed by award-winning local bartender Alex Taylor, and pizzettes (aka small pizzas). Bant a la Cart This sweet neighbourhood deli is a staple on Cathedral Road, Pontcanna's main road. Locals queue to pick up homemade options for lunch or dinner from their counter of daily soups, hot dishes, quiches and cakes. Read more: Cardiff city guide – where to stay, eat, drink and shop in the Welsh capital Elgano Set in a Victorian terrace house, Elgano is a quaint Italian restaurant with attentive service and a relaxed ambience. A love letter to the dishes they cooked growing up in Sicily and Calabria in Southern Italy, the chefs have crafted a menu to introduce guests to those familiar flavours. Watch them prepare everything from the open kitchen over a glass of robust chianti. Gorse The oft-changing tasting menus at Gorse showcase the finest Welsh produce available in a given week (Gorse/ Will Barker) Winner of Cardiff's first Michelin star, Gorse delivers simple but clever food in an unpretentious and intimate setting. The tasting menu showcases Welsh produce in exceptional ways, from native seaweed and Gower Salt Marsh lamb to Caws Cerwyn, a creamy Welsh cheese. With years of training under Heston Blumenthal, Welsh chef-founder Tom Walters has ditched the London pomp to bring his homeland a chilled-out fine dining experience that is a tribute to the surrounding landscapes of his beloved homeland. Drink Wardrobe Cafe Slowly sip coffee and enjoy organic treats in Wardrobe Cafe's quaint front room. With French artwork, rustic wood and an elegant piano, whisk yourself away to Provence for a couple of hours in this tucked-away spot. Organic coffee, teas and toasties are among the delights found in The Wardrobe Coffee Shop (Pontcanna Market) Pontcanna Inn On game days, this friendly neighbourhood pub rivals those on St Mary's Street, one of Cardiff's liveliest. Pontcanna Inn's large beer garden comes to life with rigby fever on summer nights. After a few pints, a slice from the pub's pizza van is well received. Crafty Devil's Cellar Set up as an alternative to large-scale breweries, Crafty Devil's Cellar quenches the city's thirst for local beers. If you want to try something new, choose from their selection of unique casks, such as coffee milk stout which boasts freshly roasted coffee from café Hard Lines as well as roasted caramel malts. Cans or pints can be enjoyed at a stool while watching the match on the pub's TV, or taken away for another time. Uisce A wine and oyster bar without pomp and ceremony, Uisce was the first venture from the team behind Heaneys, the next-door fine dining restaurant. Serving a great wine list and seasonal cocktails, bar snacks and freshly shucked oysters paired with live music on Sundays, this is an elegant spot to begin the night. Chic bar Uisce offers a happy hour every day (Heaneys) Where to stay Set in the heart of the neighbourhood, The Pontcanna Inn offers an ideal base to explore and get out to the rest of Cardiff on foot. The townhouse's spacious, modern rooms are conveniently equipped and feel inviting after a day in the lively Welsh capital. Read more: How this eco-campsite in North Wales became a haven for frazzled Londoners
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
130 days worth of train delays caused by floods last year in UK as thousands cancelled
Experts say the figures show how vulnerable Britain's Victorian rail infrastructure is to extreme weather caused by climate change. Almost 7,000 trains were cancelled last year as a result of floods, with passengers facing 130 days worth of delays new data reveals, highlighting the impact climate change is having on Britain's rail infrastructure. Travellers heading off from London Paddington were the worst hit, with the station recording 406 rain related cancellations in 2024, with Cardiff Central (249) and London Euston (242) close behind. Great Western Rail services were the worst affected with 2,068 cancellations and 53,303 minutes of flood related delays, followed by Northern Trains Ltd (1,046 cancellations, 22,457 minutes) and Transport for Wales Rail Ltd (855 cancellations, 20,091 minutes). The figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request to Network Rail confirmed there were 6,718 train cancellations (4,296 full and 2,422 part cancellations) across the UK in 2024. Those figures show a 15% rise with trains running a total of 187,475 minutes late, equivalent to a third of a year's worth of delays (130 days). Although this represents a 4% drop in the total number of cancellations compared to 2023, since 2014, flooding has caused 48,562 train cancellations and racked up more than 1.4 million minutes of delays. The data was revealed by Round Our Way, an organisation that supports people impacted by climate change in the UK. Co-Director Sofie Jenkinson,said: 'Climate change is a life and death issue for our rail system. These findings show the ongoing vulnerability of the UK's rail infrastructure to extreme weather caused by climate change. The significant rise in delays indicates the growing disruption and concerns about safety beneath the service of our creaking rail infrastructure and the impact of extreme weather caused by climate passengers and operators alike. 'With more than 48,000 cancellations due to flooding over the past decade, it's clear that long-term resilience planning and investments are essential if we want to keep the network moving.' Over the past decade, ScotRail has had the highest overall cancellation count (9,450), while Northern Trains Ltd. recorded the greatest number of delay minutes (198,657) in the same period. In 2020 a train derailed after hitting a landslip at Stonehaven, North East Scotland, three people died. Newcastle University Professor of Climate Change Impacts, Hayley Fowler, said: 'Our national transport networks are not resilient to current weather extremes, and will require increased investment to keep up with the projections of increasing summer heatwaves and winter flooding and windstorms. 'There is a need to think more strategically about hotspots where the risks of disruption are greatest as these growing extreme weather risks have the potential to have a major impact on people and on the economy. " She added: "There is no doubt that strategic investments in climate resilience now will significantly reduce the future costs of extreme weather.'
