Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Saturday, September 21)

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That’s all from us this evening. Join us tomorrow for all the latest breaking news and updates from across Wales and further afield. Nos da!

Man goes missing after last being seen near lake

64-year-old Richard Garner, from Newport, went missing after last being seen at the boating lake on Llanfrecha Way, Cwmbran at around 4.40pm today, on Saturday, September 21.

Richard is described as of skinny build with grey hair. He was not thought to be wearing his glasses. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a navy blue jumper, a fleecy black coat and hiking boots.

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “Anyone with any information on Richard’s whereabouts can contact us via the website, call 101, or send us a direct message on social media, quoting log reference 2400316341.

“Richard is also urged to get in touch with us.”

Welsh home in flames after suspected lightning strike

A fire has broken out a home in North Wales following reports of a suspected lightning strike. The blaze broke out on Chester Road in Gresford.

North Wales Police have closed a road as firefighters from the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service tackle the fire. The public has been urged to avoid the area. You can read the full story and find out what is happening here.

Mum reported missing with her baby daughter and police are ‘very concerned’

Police are “very concerned” for the wellbeing of a mum reported missing with her baby daughter. Destiny Darkhill, 23, and her six-month old child were last seen on Friday morning.

Destiny has links to the Tremorfa, Pengam Green and Canton areas of Cardiff. She was last seen between 8.30am and 9.00am on Friday, September 20 in the Tremorfa area of Cardiff in the vicinity of Taymuir, Whitmuir and Clydesmuir Roads.

You can read the full story here.

Slow traffic in Cardiff

Slow traffic has been reported on A4232 outbound before M4 J33 (Cardiff West And Services). The travel time is estimated to be 15 minutes.

‘Thunderstorms and heavy showers’ this evening

The Met Office has warned that thunderstorms and heavy showers will continue into this evening ahead of further rain arriving in the south overnight in the UK, with cloud in the northeast spreading further inland, bringing drizzle and hill fog, with clear skies for northwestern regions.

Thunderstorms and heavy showers will continue into this evening ahead of further rain arriving in the south overnight

Cloud in the northeast will spread further inland, bringing drizzle and hill fog

Clearest skies for northwestern regions pic.twitter.com/J811M9Ur5U

— Met Office (@metoffice) September 21, 2024

Emergency services resume search for person thought to have gone into water by Welsh bridge

A search operation continued on Saturday morning, September 21, following reports that a person entered the water close to Menai Suspension Bridge on Friday, September 20. Shortly before 9:45am on Friday, it was reported that an individual had entered the water.

Read more here.

Missing 15-year-old has been located, police confirms

South Wales Police has confirmed that Kelsey has been located.

15-year-old Kelsey was reported as missing in the Barry area last night.

South Wales Police added: “Thank you to everyone for sharing our appeal. Your help really does make a difference.”

Slow traffic on various roads in Cardiff

There’s currently slow traffic on the A48 Western Avenue Westbound between A470 North Road (Gabalfa Interchange) and Cardiff Road / Palace Road ( Llandaff Lights) in Cardiff. Travel time is around 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, there’s slow traffic on the A4232 inbound around A48 Cowbridge Road West / A4050 Port Road ( Culver House Cross) in Cardiff. Travel time is also around 10 minutes.

Tata Steel is building a massive new blast furnace in India while closing down Port Talbot’s

Tata Steel is building a huge new blast furnace in India while shutting its furnace in Port Talbot. Tata announced on Friday, September 20 that the company had successfully commissioned India’s largest blast furnace at Kalinganagar in Odisha.

Read more here.

Signalling system on rail between Pontlottyn and Rhymney

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Pontlottyn and Rhymney, fewer trains are able to run, Transport for Wales has said.

Disruption is expected until 2.00pm.

Slow traffic, congestion and delays on various roads in south Wales

There’s slow traffic, congestion and delays on various roads in south Wales.

Here’s the traffic updates by Inrix:

• Delays on M4 Brynglas Tunnels Westbound before J26 A4051 ( Malpas Road). Travel time is 25 minutes.

• Usual congestion on M4 into the Brynglas Tunnel Eastbound before J26 A4051 ( Malpas Road).

• Slow traffic on A48 at A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Highbeech Roundabout). Travel time is 10 minutes.

Drone footage shows the scale of the fire damage to former Gorseinon Junior School in Swansea

New drone footage has shown the extent of the damage of a derelict junior school in Swansea. On Friday afternoon, September 20 Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s crews were called to a fire incident at the former Gorseinon Junior School in Gorseinon.

Read more here.

Met Office issues third weather warning for Wales covering 71 hours

The Met Office has issued its third weather warning for Wales meaning that parts of the nation are covered by warnings for a total of 71 hours through Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The new warning for Monday means that there are three separate yellow rainfall warnings all with slightly different warning areas.

Read more here.

Congestion on M4 westbound in Newport

There’s currently congestion on the M4 westbound from J24 The Coldra to J26 Malpas in Newport.

Traffic Wales has warned road users to allow additional time for travel.

Incident now closed following fire at former junior school in Swansea

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed this morning that a stop message was received at 8.03pm on Friday evening following the fire incident at the former Gorseinon Primary School in Swansea.

On Friday afternoon, September 20 Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s crews were called to a fire incident at the former Gorseinon Junior School in Gorseinon.

The fire and rescue service said the derelict building was “well alight” and “fully involved in fire”. Several crews from the area attended the scene at 3.04pm on Pontardulais Road, including crews from Gorseinon, Pontarddulais, Morriston, Swansea Central, Port Talbot, and Pontardawe fire stations were called to the scene.

Crews were utilising hose reel jets and breathing apparatus to fight the fire. People and businesses in the area were warned to follow some regulations while the incident was ongoing.

But now, the fire and rescue service has confirmed there are no further investigation and the incident is closed.

A470 reopened and delays cleared following earlier roadworks

The A470 in both directions is re-opened and delays are cleared following weekend roadworks until the early hours of Monday morning from A465 Heads Of The Valleys Road ( Cefn Coed Roundabout, Cefn Coed ) to Cwm Cadlan Turn Off (Llwynon).

Girl, 15, is missing and police are appealing for help

Police are appealing for help to find a missing 15-year-old. South Wales Police said that Kelsey, aged 15 and who has been reported missing, was last seen on Barry Road in Barry on Tuesday, September 17.

Read more here.

Speeding restrictions in place on Welsh bridge due to strong winds

There’s currently speeding restrictions in place on the Britannia Bridge between Anglesey and Gwynedd.

The A55 Britannia Bridge has a 30MPH speed restrictions in place due to strong winds, Traffic Wales has confirmed. Further updates will follow, but they have advised road users to take care when passing through the area.

Met Office forecast for Saturday

There will be unsettled weather this weekend, according to the Met Office, with heavy showers and rain. Here’s the full forecast for Wales today:

Morning cloud breaking to a day of sunny spells and showers, these occasionally heavy and thundery with hail and gusty winds. Feeling slightly humid but warm in any sunshine. Maximum temperature 20 °C.”

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