Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Sunday, October 6)

Traffic on M4 between Cardiff and Newport following crash

There are delays on the M4 between Cardiff and Newport following a crash. The incident happened at around 5.30pm between junction 30 A4232 Pentwyn Link Road (Cardiff Gate) and junction 29 A48.

The road was initially closed in both directions, but has since reopened. However, lane one remains closed on the eastbound carriageway and congestion continues.

Lane of M4 closed following crash

A lane of the M4 westbound at Llanfihangel Rogiet is closed on the entry slip road due to crash at J23 M48. Traffic is building.

Met Office forecast for the next few days

This Evening and Tonight:

Turning drier this evening with rain clearing to the east, followed by clear spells and a few showers overnight. A few patches of mist and fog may form inland. Staying breezier in many coastal regions. Minimum temperature 8°C.

Monday:

Any mist clearing by mid-morning. Otherwise sunny spells and the chance of showers, these possibly heavy with more persistent rain spreading northeast through the evening. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine. Maximum temperature 17°C.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Heavy and possibly thundery showers on Tuesday, perhaps merging into longer periods of rain. Sunny spells and fewer showers on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures above average at first, colder later.

More here.

The best pictures from the 2024 Cardiff Half Marathon

Thousands of runners have taken part in the annual Cardiff Half Marathon which took place in the city on Sunday. The sold-out event started at around 10am and saw more than 20,000 people complete the race.

You can see the best pictures from this year’s event here.

Two people found dead at house in Cardiff

Police have launched an investigation after two people were found dead at a house in Cardiff.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “An investigation has been launched following the sudden death of two people at a property in Trowbridge, Cardiff. Emergency services were called to the house in Morfa Crescent, at around 2.50pm yesterday (Saturday, October 5). The local community is thanked for its patience and understanding while cordons are in place.”

Rescue teams called out as pick-up truck gets swallowed by tide at Welsh beach

Drama ensued on an Anglesey beach when a pick-up truck was swallowed by the incoming tide. The owner waded out to see if it could be recovered, prompting a safety concern call to rescue teams. The white pick-up reportedly became “stuck” before being engulfed at Traeth Bychan, a large sandy beach at low tide about a mile south of Moelfre.

Local RNLI and Coastguard teams were alerted around 10am on Saturday morning (October 5) when the pick-up’s owner was seen chest-deep in water attempting recovery. The two rescue teams quickly established no-one else was in the stranded vehicle. By this time, the owner was ashore. Although “cold and wet”he was otherwise unharmed.

You can read the full story here.

Fan dies at Welsh rugby match as ‘devastated’ club release statement

A Dragons RFC supporter has died following a medical emergency outside Rodney Parade on Saturday.

The Dragons lost 33-30 to South African outfit the Sharks at Rodney Parade in their United Rugby Championship clash. However, before the game there was a medical emergency outside the stadium which led to a supporter’s death.

A Dragons RFC statement read: “Dragons RFC is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of a supporter following a medical emergency outside Rodney Parade prior to Saturday’s fixture with Hollywoodbets Sharks. The club has contacted the supporter’s family to pass on our condolences and asks that they are given privacy to grieve privately. The thoughts of us all at Dragons RFC remain with the supporter’s family and friends at this desperately sad time.”

Inmate dies at Welsh prison

An inmate at a troubled Welsh prison has died over the weekend, it can be confirmed. The elderly man died at Parc Prison in Bridgend on Saturday. It’s understood that he had been receiving end of life care at the prison, and his death will be investigated as is the usual protocol for anyone who dies in custody.

A spokeswoman for HMP Parc said: “Mr Malcolm James, aged 85, passed away on Saturday, October 5. As with all deaths in custody, this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and the cause of death is for the coroner to determine.”

Cars seized and drivers arrested in Welsh town

North Wales Police (NWP) officers returned to Llandudno this week, resuming an operation that sparked debate earlier in the year. They pulled over 116 motorists for eyesight examinations and vehicle safety inspections, ensuring both drivers and their cars were up to standard.

The operation, previously conducted in June, was labelled “Operation Overkill” by critics on social media who argued it was a revenue-generating exercise and that police should focus on catching “real criminals”. This criticism elicited a strong retort from the police force, which wryly suggested detractors “should have gone to Specsavers”.

During the latest round of “Operation Eyesight” in Llandudno, the NWP Roads Crime Unit stopped 116 drivers, all of whom passed their eyesight tests, with most back on the road within minutes. However, the condition of some vehicles left much to be desired. Officers issued 14 Traffic Offence Reports for various defects, including illegal number plates, under-inflated tyres, lack of MOT, driving without a license, anti-social behaviour, and unlawful window tints.

Delays on Cardiff roads due to half marathon

There is slow traffic in and around Cardiff this morning due to the half marathon.

According to traffic monitoring service Inrix: “Slow traffic due to Cardiff Half Marathon with closures until about 3pm on Various roads between Penarth through Cardiff City Centre and from Roath Park to Cardiff Bay. Some closures will remain in place until Monday 7th.”

Cardiff Half Marathon gets underway

The Cardiff Half Marathon has got underway in the Welsh capital.

You can follow the latest travel updates and pictures from the event here.

Wind and rain to hit Wales as Hurricane Kirk moves across the Atlantic

After a period of fresh and dry weather across most of Wales over the past week or so, we could be set for a bit of a change in the coming days as rain is set to hit the country while the aftermath of a hurricane could cause disruption and heavy winds.

Chris Bulmer, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said:

Kirk over the North Atlantic will lose its status as a hurricane early next week before being swept towards northwest Europe. The resulting low pressure system will still have the potential to bring disruptive rain and winds to some areas, including parts of the UK, from the middle of next week.

There remains much detail to work out on the exact track and timing of the system. Across the UK, parts of England and Wales look to have the greatest risk of heavy rain and strong winds during Wednesday and Thursday. However, a more southward track of this system, which is equally plausible at this stage, would see the most disruptive conditions impact France. The need for warnings will be kept under review over the coming days, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest forecast.

Man in hospital after serious assault in supermarket car park

A 40-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a serious assault which happened in a supermarket car park in Cardiff. The incident happened in the car park of the Tesco Superstore in the St Mellons area of the Welsh capital on Friday night.

South Wales Police were called to the scene and a section of the car park was cordoned off by officers. Police have confirmed that one man has been taken to hospital and that an investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have yet been made.

A spokeswoman for the force said:

South Wales Police is investigating a serious assault which happened at approximately 9.15pm on Friday (October 4) in the car park of Tesco St. Mellons, near to the Willows Pub. A 40-year-old man is in hospital with injuries described as not life threatening at this time. Enquiries are ongoing to identify and arrest the suspects.

Delays and road closures in Cardiff ahead of half marathon

With tens of thousands of runners set to take to the streets of Cardiff for the city’s upcoming half marathon Cardiff Council has announced road closures in preparation for the event. An expected 27,500 participants along with thousands of spectators will be heading to Cardiff today for Wales’ largest mass-participation event.

Road closures havenn been i mplemented since Wednesday and will be in place until tomorrow to allow event organisers to set up and dismantle the race village at the Civic Centre.

Read full details of what roads will be closed on Sunday here.