Latest news with #NRW
Powys County Times
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Groe footpath in Builth Wells to be partly closed next month
A FOOTPATH in the popular Groe area of Builth Wells will be partly cut off to the public for one day next month due to a popular motorsport event being held in town that day. The Nicky Grist Stages Rally comes to Builth on Saturday, July 12, which will require the closure of part of the Groe footpath for the day. The section of path that will not be accessible is 210 metres long and runs adjacent to North Road and Church Street, from the Alpha Chapel access point to Builth's Ysgol Calon Cymru campus. 'We have received the following notification from Powys County Council regarding an upcoming short term temporary closure of public rights of way, which is needed due the Nicky Grist Stages Rally motorsport event on 12th July,' said Builth Wells Town Council in a post on its Facebook page. 'Paths to be closed (are) Footpath 8, Builth Wells, from SO040510 to SO038512, for approximately 210 metres. 'Alternative route: Follow Church Street then North Road to entrance to Builth Groe at play area and vice versa. 'By way of explanation, Powys County Council adopted a revised protocol for authorising motorsport events on March 3, 2020, which now requires that public rights of way be closed for the duration of a motorsport event.' Organisers of the rally confirmed last month that the stage would be returning to Builth. With the rally so start in Strand Street while the finish will be on the banks of the River Wye, and the service area will be located on the Groe, on the town's rugby pitch. 'I am delighted that we have got what is probably the most-liked stage of the Nicky Grist Stages back in the 2025 edition – Route 60,' said Nicky Grist. 'Route 60 is such a fantastic stage with wonderful high speed and flowing corners that nearly everyone enjoys. 'I was also overjoyed when we found out that Storm Darragh did not affect us anywhere near as badly as other stages in Wales and I am looking forward to catching up with everyone at the event in Builth Wells in July.' 'At the beginning of the year there were some doubts as to whether we would be able to run the 2025 Nicky Grist Stages, thanks to the damage caused in the Welsh forests by Storm Darragh and military training operations combining to seriously curtail the stage mileage available to us on both NRW and MOD land,' admits Neil Cross, the clerk of the course. 'However, with the invaluable co-operation and hard work of NRW, the MOD and Rally4Wales we have instead put together a fantastic route.' Organisers thanked Powys County Council, Builth Wells Town Council, Builth Wells Rugby Club and local businesses and residents for their support. Further details about the 2020 protocol can be found at
South Wales Argus
6 hours ago
- Science
- South Wales Argus
River Usk project tracks salmon migration barriers
Known as 'smolt' at this life stage, the juvenile fish migrate to the sea to mature and free movement between river and sea is vital for their life cycle. The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) River Usk Smolt Telemetry Project, established in 2021, track the fish's journey along the catchment area. The project tags up to 100 smolts annually with small acoustic transmitters. Around 55 static acoustic listening devices set up along the river document the fish's movements. The data reveals that as the smolts journey towards the sea in spring, they struggle to navigate man-made barriers like weirs, especially in low river flow conditions. These obstacles cause significant delays, exacerbated by low water levels during dry years. The study found that only 24 per cent of tagged smolts reached the sea in a dry season, compared to 67 per cent in a wet one. These numbers don't just reflect a decrease in successful migrations during dry seasons, but also a significant delay, with some smolts taking five weeks longer to leave the river. Aquaculture officer leading the project for NRW, Oliver Brown, said: "The project has evolved over the last couple of years and is giving us a good indication of what's happening to these fish at a critical point in their life cycle." The study's findings are instrumental in shaping improvements on the River Usk under the Four Rivers for LIFE project. The project is building a new smolt pass on the weir, creating a more accessible pathway for migrating smolts. Four Rivers for LIFE manager, Susie Kinghan, said: "The smolt tracking research has been of significant importance to us as a project. "The fish-pass work we are doing on the weir will help salmon and other species to move freely downstream, helping to increase their dangerously low numbers."
ABC News
a day ago
- Business
- ABC News
Administrators reveal staggering debts of Whyalla Ports with at least $194 million owed
The administrators of Whyalla Ports Pty Ltd have told creditors the company owes at least $194 million, but the true amount is still unclear. Accounting firm William Buck held the first creditors' meeting for the company on Thursday, revealing $25 million was owed to trade creditors with a further $63 million listed as a lease liability. The largest slice is owed to Golding's and its parent company NRW, a key mining contractor, with a secured debt of $106 million. However, administrator Michael Brereton said they were waiting to receive financial records from Whyalla Ports directors. "One of the first things we did on our appointment was to issue a notice to the directors to complete what's called the report on company affairs and property," Mr Brereton said. "That was issued immediately … [and] we have yet to receive those from the directors, so we don't have all the financial information. "[I] think one of the problems they face is that the company operated on the basis that it held the port. "Based on the litigation and the legislation that's been passed, it's become apparent that maybe the company didn't have control of the ports. "So I suspect they're having some problems trying to work through 'What are the financial records of the company?'" In early June, the ports became another casualty in the ongoing fallout since the Whyalla Steelworks was tipped into administration by the state government. The company, Whyalla Ports Pty Ltd, was involved in a Federal Court case launched by Whyalla Steelworks administrators KordaMentha, which wants control of the port so it can sell the steelworks as an integrated asset. Parent company GFG Alliance said when the state government passed new laws to "clarify" that the port was owned by OneSteel, it was left with "no option" but to push the port into administration. KordaMentha has since abandoned the legal action it began. However, a counterclaim from GFG Alliance is still being pursued over the ownership of some assets. During today's meeting, Mr Brereton said a lease agreement between OneSteel and Whyalla Ports was terminated on March 27. "The company was not trading on our appointment," Mr Brereton said. "The company was dispossessed of all its plants and equipment at that time and its right to provide services to customers." One Whyalla creditor, who wished to remain anonymous, previously told the ABC they were owed between $100,000 and $200,000 by Whyalla Ports. They said they feared they may never receive the money due to the dispute over the port's ownership. CEO of Sudel Industries and creditor Kevin Moore said he was owed roughly $20,000 from Whyalla Ports. "Basically, I've already written that money off. I don't think we'll see it." Although the paperwork has not been filed, it is understood that the company will more than likely apply for a deed of company arrangement (DOCA) at its next meeting.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
NRW consultation on the Cwmcarn Forest Resource Plan
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which manages the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, has created a 10-year management plan for the nine woodlands within the Cwmcarn Forest Resource Plan (FRP) area. The Cwmcarn FRP covers 1,911 hectares, with most of this within Caerphilly county, with 221 hectares in Torfaen. There are also two forest blocks in Machen and Llanbradach, which are in the Lower Rhymney Valley. The draft plan aims to restore ancient woodland, plant more native broadleaved trees, enhance biodiversity and habitat connectivity, improve climate resilience and water quality, and increase recreational and well-being opportunities. NRW is inviting people to read the proposal in detail and provide feedback to help shape the final version of the plan. Laura McLoughlin, senior forest resource planning officer for NRW, said: "Our forests offer so many benefits to the natural environment and to our communities. "They help us in the fight against the climate and nature emergencies, provide good quality timber for us to use, and wonderful places for us all to spend time in and enjoy. "We know how valued our forests are, and we want to make sure the people who use them have the opportunity to have a say about how they are managed in the future." NRW will hold a public drop-in session on June 23 at Wattsville Clubhouse between 11.30am and 6.30pm. The consultation is open until July 16. Anyone wishing to participate but unable to view the proposals online can contact 03000 65 3000 or email frp@ and request a hard copy. Feedback by post can be sent to: Laura McLoughlin, Natural Resources Wales, Monmouth Office, Hadnock Road, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 3NQ.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Climate
- Wales Online
Met Office thunderstorms warning in place in Wales with threat of flooding
Met Office thunderstorms warning in place in Wales with threat of flooding Wales is at risk of seeing thunderstorms for much of Saturday, with a yellow Met Office weather warning in place until 6pm A significant amount of heavy rain means river levels are rising (Image: WalesOnline/Gayle Marsh ) A yellow Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms is in place across all of Wales until 6pm on Saturday, June 14. After multiple days of heavy rain, the wet and unsettled weather is set to continue, posing a risk of flooding for parts of the country. During the early hours of Saturday morning, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued six flood alerts with river levels rising due to the poor weather conditions. The NRW alerts warned that "flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected" and covered areas including parts of the Rhondda, Bridgend and Neath. These NRW alerts are no longer in place but the Met Office's yellow weather warning says that there is a continued risk of flooding and disruption due to the thunderstorms. Its website says that spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions, there is a chance that small communities will be cut off by flooded roads and a "small chance" that homes and businesses could flood quickly. The weather warning also states: "There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life". The forecasters also say that there is a risk of public transport being cancelled as well as power cuts. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Article continues below The Met Office has said that during the thunderstorms, there is the potential for 20mm of rain to fall in an hour and 30-40 mm to fall in three hours or less in a few places. It comes after a week of significant rainfall, with a month's worth of rain being recorded in just 12 hours in the Gower on Thursday, according to BBC forecaster Derek Brockway. The rain is set to continue for much of Saturday according to weather experts. The Met Office forecast reads: "Heavy outbreaks of rain move gradually northwards, bringing a risk of hail, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. "Brighter spells developing in the afternoon, though further heavy showers also likely across the south." Sunday is looking slightly better, with rain becoming more patchy and turning into showers. The forecast for Sunday is: "Cloudy in the north with patchy rain spreading eastwards. Drier and brighter further south, though a few showers may pop up through the afternoon. Feeling cooler with near-average temperatures. Maximum temperature 20 °C." Article continues below As we head into next week, the weather is expected to become more settled and temperatures are also expected to rise as an area of high pressure builds from the southwest. The Met Office said that Monday to Wednesday would be "widely dry" and temperatures would "feel warm".
