Transport for Wales (TfW) is another step closer to delivering the next phase of the South Wales Metro as it prepares to electrify the Coryton and lower Rhymney lines in the coming weeks Trydaneiddio llinellau Coryton a Rhymni Isaf fel rhan o brosiect Metro which will deliver 170km of electrified track With the upcoming electrification of the Coryton and lower Rhymney lines (from Caerphilly to Cardiff Queen Street) Electrifying these lines will enable TfW to introduce new tri-mode trains on the Coryton and Caerphilly to Penarth routes As TfW continue to electrify more of the railway in South Wales they’re urging the public to be aware of the safety risks highlighted by TfW’s No Second Chances safety campaign and doing so when the railway is electrified carries a higher risk of serious injury or death If you see any suspicious behaviour on the tracks; contact the British Transport Police: · Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 From Friday 31 January to Sunday 02 February These rail closures will allow TfW to test the Overhead Line Equipment that will power the brand-new electric trains To ensure the safety of the public, several footbridges, level crossings and road bridges that cross the Coryton and lower Rhymney railway lines will be closed on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February. More information on these closures can be found on TfW’s website - Coryton and Rhymney line transformation | Transport for Wales The transformation of the Core Valley Lines for the Metro has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government more frequent services between Cardiff and the heads of the valleys Not a Journalist? Please visit our contact page Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today A section of the Rhymney Valley Line is set to close for a total of three months as work on the next phase of the South Wales Metro begins an “intensive” eight-month stretch of engineering work is set to electrify more than 15km of railway line However it does come with significant disruption as trains between Caerphilly and Rhymney are set to close for a total of three months The first ‘extended closure’ of six weeks will start on Saturday April 12 – the day of the Caerphilly Food Festival – until Friday May 23 The second six-week closure will start on Saturday July 19 and continue until Sunday August 31 the same section of track will be closed for mid-week evening engineering works which will run from from Mondays to Thursdays after 7pm between March and October A two-week closure is also planned from October 18 While there will be “occasional” closures to the full line most extended closures will affect stations between Caerphilly and Rhymney Transport for Wales (TfW) added that weekend closures are also expected “throughout the year” chief infrastructure officer at TfW said: “We are excited to embark on our transformation programme to upgrade the Rhymney line as part of the South Wales Metro project aimed at transforming public transport in South Wales.  “We’ll be carrying out major infrastructure improvements on the line including the installation of overhead line equipment to electrify the line and upgrades to local railway stations.  “We appreciate the patience of our customers and neighbours living near the railway as we carry out these upgrades “We understand that rail closures and engineering work may cause disruption for those who rely on our services and for those living close to the tracks and would like to urge all customers to check before traveling during this period.”  A full list of planned rail closures on the Rhymney line is available on TfW’s website.   Due to the number of planned rail closures, TfW recommends that all passengers travelling along the Rhymney line check before they travel using TfW’s journey checker tool.   Buses will run every 15 minutes between Caerphilly and Bargoed and every 30 minutes between Bargoed and Rhymney Rail services will run as normal for major events and concerts at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.Become a member today The Rhymney Valley railway line is set to undergo major enhancements as part of the next phase of the South Wales Metro Starting at the end of March 2025, Transport for Wales (TfW) will deliver an intensive eight-month programme of engineering work that will transform and electrify more than 15km of railway line Brand-new trains (Class 231s) were introduced to the Rhymney Valley line in 2023 as part of TfW’s £800 million investment It says these further infrastructure improvements will enable electrified trains (Class 756s) to be introduced to the line greener and more accessible transport to the communities of South Wales The railway line will be closed for periods with rail replacement services in operation This includes two six-week closures from 12 April to 23 May and 19 July to 31 August TfW is encouraging all passengers travelling on the Rhymney line to check before they travel Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW, said: “We are excited to embark on our transformation programme to upgrade the Rhymney line as part of the South Wales Metro project, aimed at transforming public transport in South Wales. “We'll be carrying out major infrastructure improvements on the line, including the installation of Overhead Line Equipment to electrify the line and upgrades to local railway stations. “We appreciate the patience of our customers and neighbours living near the railway as we carry out these upgrades. We understand that rail closures and engineering work may cause disruption for those who rely on our services and for those living close to the tracks and would like to urge all customers to check before travelling during this period.” and highly targeted distribution networks offers our clients a proven strategically connected one-stop-shop solution for all regions and business sectors in Wales and beyond Two six-week-long closures of the Rhymney line are planned on 12 April-23 May and 19 July-31 August as part of the next phase of the South Wales Metro Just over nine miles of route will be electrified so Stadler Class 756 units can operate on the route with track lowered in some locations to ensure sufficient clearance for overhead catenary Rhymney station will be upgraded including stabling sidings while lineside fencing will be improved and vegetation cleared Subscribe to Key Modern Railways now to access the wealth of information on offer completely ad free Subscribe now Key Publishing Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with Company Number 2713662 The Rhymney valley railway line is set close for six weeks as it undergoes major enhancements as part of the next phase of the South Wales Metro TfW says it will deliver an “intensive” 8-month programme of engineering work that will transform and electrify over 15km of railway line Brand-new Class 231 trains were introduced to the Rhymney valley line in 2023 as part of an £800 million investment These further infrastructure improvements will enable electrified Class 756 trains to be introduced to the line with the aim of delivering faster greener and more accessible transport to the communities of south Wales To deliver this intensive 8-month programme of work safely there will be periods where the railway line will be closed and rail replacement services in operation to keep passengers moving This includes two 6-week closures over the Easter and summer holidays from 12 April to 23 May and 19 July to 31 August TfW encourages all passengers travelling on the Rhymney line to check before they travel Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW said: “We are excited to embark on our transformation programme to upgrade the Rhymney line as part of the South Wales Metro project aimed at transforming public transport in south Wales “We’ll be carrying out major infrastructure improvements on the line including the installation of Overhead Line Equipment to electrify the line and upgrades to local railway stations “We appreciate the patience of our customers and neighbours living near the railway as we carry out these upgrades “We understand that rail closures and engineering work may cause disruption for those who rely on our services and for those living close to the tracks and would like to urge all customers to check before traveling during this period.” Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Connect with Nation.Cymru on Facebook and Twitter If you would like to donate to help keep Nation.Cymru running then you just need to click on the box below it will open a pop up window that will allow you to pay using your credit / debit card or paypal Enter your email address to receive instant notifications of new articles All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018 In 2017 Nation.Cymru was launched after raising £5000 from a crowdfunding campaign Today it is one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK attracting over 1.5 million visitors a month We are not backed by billionaire owners or hidden behind a paywall but we depend on our readers' support to continue our work If everyone who visited the site over the course of a month donated at least £1 we would have enough funding for the next eight years To guarantee our future please consider making a donation today. Twenty-five hampers have been delivered to families in need as part of an Easter campaign Each hamper included a chicken dinner with vegetables They were distributed from Rhymney Library as part of the ‘Everyone Deserves an Easter’ campaign led by Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney MP Nick Smith and supported by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Caerphilly Cares team The campaign follows on from the ‘Everyone Deserves a Christmas’ initiative Community organisations and council services and the Youth and Family service team worked closely with Caerphilly Cares to ensure the hampers reached families most in need cabinet member for education and communities said: “Campaigns like this remind us of the power of community and kindness through Caerphilly Cares and Rhymney Library Hub could support local families this Easter.” If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Caerphilly Cares by emailing caerphillycares@caerphilly.gov.uk A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson while fire investigators work to establish the cause of a large fire which destroyed an industrial unit in Rhymney South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the blaze at Capital Valley Eco Park just before 11.30pm on Friday January 24 A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: “Officers attended along with firefighters from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service “No injuries were reported and a 59-year-old man He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue “Anyone who has any information that could help police is asked to call 101 or you can direct message on Facebook or X.” Barry and New Inn were deployed to the scene with assistance from crews from Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service around 60 firefighters were working to control the blaze the fire service said two aerial appliances were used as water towers with water pumped from the River Rhymney after crews dammed the river A ‘wetting agent’ was also used after consultation with Natural Resources Wales which helps the effectiveness of water to extinguish fire It added that “all appropriate environmental measures were deployed in affected areas” but crews remained until noon on Sunday dampening down Fire crews have been battling a large fire at the Capital Valley Eco Park in Rhymney The blaze is said to have started at around 11pm on Friday Residents were advised to keep their doors and windows closed because of smoke The A469 is currently closed in both directions between Pontlottyn and Rhymney roundabout and there is also a road closure in place at Merchant Street in Pontlottyn In addition to Gwent Police and the fire service Natural Resources Wales is also in the response the agency said: “We’re assisting South Wales Fire and Rescue Service with a fire at Capital Valley Eco Park and avoid entering the River Rhymney for your safety – pets included – due to possible contaminants.” Fire crews have been seen pumping water from the River Rhymney to use to fight the fire The destroyed industrial unit measures around 30m by 100m Councillors have alleged northern parts of the county borough are given a disproportionate amount of social housing projects Members of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning committee have heard how “anywhere above Bargoed” struggles to attract new investment in market housing Their concerns were raised amid discussions of a proposed development in Rhymney which drew the ire of hundreds in the community the property known locally as the Buchan Building could be converted into apartments and the nearby Whitbread Enterprise Centre could be demolished to make way for more housing A children’s home could also be built on the site as part of the proposals by housing association Linc Cymru which went before the planning committee this week said the plans had been subjected to “over two years of detailed scrutiny” He called the proposed development site a “sustainable and highly accessible location” and said the regeneration plans would bring “positive benefits” of affordable housing to the area “directly meets a long-term unmet need for this provision locally,” he argued The committee also heard from Alison Jones a Rhymney resident speaking on behalf of community members opposed to the application She alleged the council’s responses to those objections were not based on any data Changing the use of the Buchan Building – which has been used recently as a gym – “deprives the community of all the potential it holds” adding that the “long-term outlook for Rhymney is one of continued and deepening deprivation” she said the “overarching purpose of sustainable development is one of protection safeguarding the wellbeing of communities and their potential to thrive” Twyn Carno ward councillor Carl Cuss told the committee he “cannot support the application” He claimed the “goalposts have changed” during the planning process and the application had changed from a mixed development to 100% social housing Cllr Cuss suggested the north of the borough seemed to be treated differently “I feel the council is being weak on this issue” adding that it had “triggered a lot of angry residents” Committee member Cllr Mansel Powell commented Rhymney “is having a lot of HMOs and a lot of social housing” He said residents would feel “let down” because the project had previously been considered a mix of social and market-rent homes Fellow committee member Cllr Nigel Dix also said more should have been done to create a “prosperous area” in the Rhymney Valley the council’s team leader development manager said there was “no empirical evidence to prove that social housing causes these problems” referring to concerns about its impact on the surrounding area But he accepted there was “less profit” for housebuilders in areas where property prices are lower – “therefore they would not be wanting to build market housing because they don’t make enough money from it” Cllr Mansel Powell said that was “alarming” for local councillors who feared their communities were “going to become all social housing” also warned colleagues the committee was meant to consider matters on planning merits rather than political views The committee voted 9-2 in favour of the officers’ recommendations to grant planning permission But the meeting heard the Welsh Government may yet decide to call in the application and take responsibility for a final decision Welcome to RhymneyValleyOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage in the valley. You can follow us on Facebook too The Rhymney Valley is one of the south Wales valleys The scenic Rhymney River forms the border between the old counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire Villages situated in the valley include Abertysswg Wales Community and Business News from Need To See it A mental health hospital near Tredegar has transformed a clinical space into a vibrant and welcoming social hub providing service users with a unique area to relax connect and engage in therapeutic activities a 23-bed mental health hospital for women on Goshen Street has unveiled its new social hub as part of Cygnet Health Care’s innovative initiative to create more homely supportive environments within clinical settings and Experts by Experience (those with lived experience) aims to promote recovery through meaningful social interaction The redesigned room now features gaming stations Every element was chosen based on a wish list created by the service users themselves ensuring the space reflects their preferences and needs The staff and service users then transformed the space in just one day The idea is that the social hubs offer a non-clinical homely space for service users to relax and engage in fun activities and peer support sessions giving them a safe space away from the wards Cygnet Health Care Hospital manager Byron Mtandabari explained: “The social hub is a really exciting development for Cygnet St Teilo’s it’s a place where meaningful connections can be built I want patients to really feel a sense of belonging and this vibrant space will help us to achieve that “We know that social interaction is an important part of recovery and having this space will encourage engagement which will make a significant difference to the day-to-day lives of those we support “I’m really proud of the hard work which went into creating this room in just one day and I’m genuinely delighted to be the latest Cygnet Health Care service to have a social hub “Our service users were so excited and their reactions seeing it were brilliant It’s going to open up new opportunities for group activities therapeutic sessions and just ever day moments of joy I’m looking forward to seeing the sense of community it will foster.” The Cygnet Social Hubs project has been shortlisted in two categories at the Design in Mental Health Awards 2025; Low Cost- High Impact and Service User Engagement we do not ‘recommend’ or endorse any business or products shown on this site We would like to thank our image providers: Canva Storyblocks Deposit Photos Freepik Pixabay Pexels Unsplash As well as the many talented photographers whose work is shared by storytellers and credited in the story Want us to cover your news?  We ask for a small admin fee to cover our costs.  Please email: laura.lewis@newsfromwales.com For advertorial or guest post services, please contact: guestpostservices@newsfromwales.com You are welcome to send news releases to news@newsfromwales.com If you need to contact our admin/management team about something other than news, please email premium@newsfromwales.com The information provided by this news site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate professional or legal advice All information on the Site is provided in good faith however we make no representation or warranty of any kind availability or completeness of any information on the Site Tributes have been paid to former Caerphilly county councillor John Bevan served two terms as the mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council during a political career spanning decades Rhymney and the wider upper Rhymney Valley have lost a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of local people,” said Cllr Sean Morgan “John was a colourful and popular character who devoted much of his life representing the Moriah ward,” he added “He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and our thoughts are with John’s family at this very sad time.” Cllr Bevan studied at New Tredegar Technical College and later in the mining department in both Crumlin and Crosskeys College and was employed at Deep Navigation Colliery until its closure in 1991 Cllr Bevan’s long political career included two separate spells as mayor of the county council – in 2005/06 and then again in 2017/18 Cllr Bevan’s years of public service have been praised by those who knew and worked alongside him Dawn Bowden, the Welsh Government’s minister for children and social care paid tribute to her “good friend and Labour Party colleague” Cllr Bevan Extending her condolences to Cllr Bevan’s loved ones she said: “He loved his family and his community and he was always incredibly supportive to me in my role as MS for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney “John will be sorely missed by his family who represents the Twyn Carno ward on Caerphilly Council adding he would miss Cllr Bevan’s “direct approach to the community” which he “represented for many years” Gerald Jones, the MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare – who previously served Rhymney until a 2023 electoral boundary review – called Cllr Bevan a “strong advocate for the people and communities he represented” “John represented his community of Abertysswg and later Moriah for almost 30 years on Rhymney Valley and Caerphilly Councils as well as volunteering with a host of community groups,” said Mr Jones.  “I have great memories of working alongside John as a councillor and when he spent a number of years as chair of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney Constituency Labour Party.” Transport for Wales (TfW) started work on the Rhymney to Caerphilly line on Saturday April 12th 2025 with closures planned for 6 weeks until 23 May Engineering work will continue on the line for the next 8 months with rail replacement services in operation from Caerphilly to Rhymney station as part of the next phase of development for the South Wales Metro TfW are encouraging all passengers travelling on the Rhymney line to check schedules and closures before they travel The closures mark the most recent developments in the £800 million programme to offer some of the South Wales Metro services while works are ongoing and enable electrified Class 756 trains to be introduced to the line TfW introduced Class 231 trains onto the Rhymney line marking the first new trains introduced in South-East Wales in decades they carried out sweeping timetable change to the South Wales Valley lines delivering a train every 10 minutes between Caerphilly and Cardiff and an additional service between Rhymney and Bargoed Enhancements will be rolled out gradually until 2027 for a phased approach that minimises disruption to service performance TfW will introduce Class 756s from Caerphilly to Penarth and from 2026 they’ll  begin to introduce these trains onto the Rhymney line Ongoing and future works include the installation of Overhead Line Equipment necessary for electrification along 15km of track and improvements to railway fencing following cutting back of overgrown vegetation tracks and signals along the line will receive comprehensive upgrades and Rhymney station will be given enhanced station sidings to store new trains including tri-mode trains powered by a combination of electricity the Lewis School road bridge and Tir-Phil over bridge to ensure a safe distance between pedestrians and the railway line Changes on the Caerphilly to Rhymney line are expected to continue until December Most of these rail closures will take place between Caerphilly and Rhymney with a normal rail service in operation from Caerphilly into Cardiff and onwards to Penarth Rail services will run as normal for major events at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW said: “We understand that rail closures and engineering work may cause disruption for those who rely on our services and for those living close to the tracks and would like to urge all customers to check before traveling during this period.” For more information and updates to travel plans, visit the TfW Plan a Journey site here TfW has reassured those affected that during periods where the railway line is closed there will be rail replacement services available with buses travelling from Rhymney/Bargoed to Caerphilly (stopping at each station in between) and connecting with the train services from Caerphilly to Cardiff a rail replacement bus will operate every 15 minutes between Caerphilly and Bargoed this means TfW teams will be carrying out major transformation work across the Rhymney line during both the day and night at all points along the Upper-Rhymney line TfW have said those they expect to be affected by anti-social noise will be contacted in advance of works taking place though it will not always be possible to provide the exact dates and times on upcoming work Last minute changes will be posted to the TfW Facebook page it’s expected that new tri-mode trains will be quieter and more environmentally friendly creating a better environment for lineside neighbours Rhymney Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week with a packed schedule of events to mark the occasion The library reopened earlier this year following a £400,000 refurbishment which includes a refurbished ground and first floor There is also a new “cross-generational” mural which was painted by artist Siôn Tomos Owen with help from local schoolchildren and residents.  A number of family-friendly events will be held at the library each day between Monday December 2 and Friday December 6 the future of Fit4Living in Rhymney was bleak owner Judith Morgan is hopeful the gym can move to a new base in the not so distant future Judith and her gym were told their future at Whitbread Centre on Rhymney Walk was at risk with housing developer Linc Cymru planning to build 27 homes and a children’s home on the site After “positive” meetings with Caerphilly County Borough Council however, Judith hopes the gym has found a new home. Speaking to Caerphilly Observer she said: “We had some news a couple of weeks ago and it didn’t look good for us “We’ve been here 19 years and provide a service to a community who don’t have access to a gym We had to keep the gym in the area no matter what “I spoke to the council yesterday and they said they’ve found a potential venue about a quarter of a mile away that we could use.” Judith admitted the building does need a lot of work as it stands and that Fit4Living would have to turn into a Community Interest Company She continued: “The lease ends in September so there will be a time where we have to close but we’re hoping the gap between that and reopening elsewhere will only be a short one.” Caerphilly Observer reported that 30.2% of people in the Rhymney area report their daily activities are impacted by health issues A cocaine dealer has been jailed after police caught him after they were called following a report he was “unresponsive” in his car police officers responded to a report that a man was unresponsive in a car parked on Rowan Place was seen leaving the car by officers before they searched him Three ‘snap bags’ containing 1.1g of cocaine were found in his car and he was also in possession of £120 cash weighing scales with traces of cocaine on it and a black iPhone Bass was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs before police searched his Blackwood home – where they found more drugs Analysis of a phone revealed evidence of drug supply At Newport Crown Court on Thursday February 27 university educated Bass was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment after admitting two drug charges He will serve half in custody and half out on licence it was claimed that Bass had become addicted to cocaine while at university said: “Officers across the Caerphilly Borough continue to relentlessly pursue criminals harming our communities through drug supply “These results are made possible by the important role residents play in reporting their concerns around drug supply – which helps build our intelligence picture and gives us the chance to bring criminals before the courts.” Houses were evacuated by police and roads closed after a large fire ripped through a garage in Rhymney South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to Hill Street at around 4.48pm on Monday July 29 and Merthyr Tydfil were all called to the scene to extinguish the fire An environmental impact assessment was carried out at the site Natural Resources Wales the fire service said “no further fire investigation will be possible” due to the “instability of the structure” – with the cause of the blaze undetermined Transport for Wales is excited to announce that the Rhymney valley railway line will undergo major enhancements as part of the next phase of the South Wales Metro TfW will deliver an intensive 8-month programme of engineering work that will transform and electrify over 15km of railway line Brand-new trains (Class 231s) were introduced to the Rhymney valley line in 2023 as part of TfW’s £800 million investment into brand-new trains across Wales These further infrastructure improvements will enable electrified trains (Class 756s) to be introduced to the line Infrastructure works in the Rhymney Valley are set to deliver a comprehensive modernisation of the railway line The ambitious project will include the installation of Overhead Line Equipment to fully electrify the route significantly reducing the line’s carbon footprint and enabling more efficient train services Railway fencing will be upgraded and overgrown vegetation will be cut back to improve safety and reliability along the corridor The transformation will also feature extensive tracks and signalling upgrades throughout the line including necessary track lowering works to accommodate the new electrification infrastructure Rhymney station itself will benefit from substantial improvements with enhanced sidings being constructed to house the new fleet of trains that will serve the route once the project is completed Rail Professional is a monthly business-oriented railway magazine read by the industry’s managers the magazine was born out of the privatisation of the industry and the need to provide a managerial forum for the new rail business community Rail Professional Ltd Lakes Innovation Centre Lakes Road Email: admin@railpro.co.uk Tel: 01268 711811 Browse our Asia-Pacific website Copyright Rail Professional Ltd document.write(new Date().getFullYear()). All Rights Reserved. Website by Chalk Media Rail passengers are being warned of disruption to some services as Transport for Wales (TfW) prepares to electrify the next phase of the South Wales Metro The line between Coryton and lower Rhymney will begin to use electric power to run trains in the coming weeks The multi-million pound Metro project will deliver 170km of electrified track – 116km of which is already completed and ‘live’ With the upcoming electrification of the Coryton and lower Rhymney lines – from Caerphilly to Cardiff Queen Street – the total will rise to 155km Electrifying these lines will enable faster TfW will introduce new tri-mode trains on the Coryton and Caerphilly to Penarth routes These rail closures will allow TfW to test the overhead line equipment that will power the brand-new electric trains level crossings and road bridges that cross the Coryton and lower Rhymney railway lines will be closed on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February As the Welsh Government owned rail operator continues to electrify more of the railway in south Wales A TfW spokesperson said: “Trespassing on the railway is illegal “If you see any suspicious behaviour on the tracks; contact the British Transport Police In an emergency call 999 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”  Green fingered patients from a Welsh mental health service recently rolled up their sleeves to take part in a meaningful tree planting initiative at Rhymney Remembrance Park The volunteer event saw female patients from the hospital which provides specialist mental health support contributing to the local environment while engaging with the wider community is a 23-bed service specialising in high support inpatient rehabilitation (level 2) for women with mental health needs It is part of the Cygnet Health Care division Three female service users joined more than 150 other volunteers from the local community who all gave their time and energy to provide green lungs for Rhymney by doing their bit to reduce carbon by planting 3,000 trees over the course of a week was organised as a partnership activity between Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO) the Caerphilly County Borough Council Decarbonisation team and Public Service Board member organisations The event is held annually with the aim of planting 300,000 trees by 2030 and the three service users donned their waterproofs before arriving at the allocated meeting point on Monday 3 March they planted a variety of native tree species promoting biodiversity and enhancing the green space for future generations Donna explained: “We spent time with the other volunteers before given the Health and Safety Practises and an explanation on what impact this would have on our environment “Off we then went with spades in hand to our planting area The ground was quite hard to dig and the good old welsh weather didn’t help but we all laughed as we dug the soil standing back admiring the little seed tree we had planted now knowing that the little seed would grow into a mighty tree.” Byron said he was proud of the patients for getting involved He added: “Taking part in activities like this is incredibly rewarding for our service users It offers an opportunity to connect with nature “Volunteering can have a hugely positive impact on mental wellbeing and we’re proud to support our patients in engaging with meaningful projects like the Rhymney Remembrance Park decarbonisation event.” Storm Bert has brought flooding to areas across Caerphilly County Borough with several warnings from Natural Resources Wales still in place A Met Office warning for heavy rain was in force across Wales until 1pm Sunday Natural Resources Wales had a total of ten flood warnings for the Caerphilly County Borough Council area Gwent Police has advised people to only travel if essential A spokesperson said: “We are managing flooding across Gwent working alongside the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Wales Ambulance Service and Natural Resource Wales.” Andy Page is a Met Office Chief Meteorologist and said: “Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain “While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day “The strong southerly winds continue today and warnings are in place for central Northern Ireland and western Scotland where gusts could peak at 60 mph and could even reach more than 70 mph along some exposed coasts so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.” Storm Bert will finally clear form the far northeast early on Tuesday Next week will bring quieter weather for many although there is a risk of some further rain and strong winds across the south of the UK on Tuesday night and Wednesday there are indications we could see a brief return to colder conditions although for many How long the more settled conditions last is uncertain with rain probably returning to westernmost areas at least by the end of the week Rail services which pass through Cardiff Queen Street will be replaced by buses over the weekend as Transport for Wales (TfW) continues work on the South Wales Metro Between Saturday August 31 and Monday September 2 all trains to and from Cardiff will be replaced by a bus will have services replaced by buses across the weekend – coinciding with Caerphilly town’s Cheese Festival TfW has warned this disruption is expected to continue “intermittently” through to November New electric ‘tri-mode’ trains are being introduced to passengers for the first time in the UK as part of the South Wales Metro project The new trains are on the tracks from Monday November 18 and are being rolled out along the Merthyr and Aberdare lines they’re not due to hit the Rhymney line until late next year The new trains will be phased in across the core valley lines replacing Transport for Wales’ (TfW) older trains TfW has already introduced 65 brand-new trains and seven premier class MK4 trains to the Wales and Borders network over the last two years as part of an £800 million investment into new trains the new Class 756 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs) will be powered by the recently installed overhead electrified wires These transformative ‘tri-mode’ trains are the first in the UK that can use diesel or battery on sections of railway track where there are no overhead wires described the introduction as a “historic moment” and said: “These state-of-the-art electric trains with greater capacity will make passengers’ journeys more comfortable “With the addition of the latest technology allowing for Wi-Fi and up to the minute travel information screens [the new trains] are sure to encourage more people to use the train for their travel needs.” said: “This is a huge moment for TfW and Wales as we’re the first in the UK to be introducing this modern ‘tri-mode’ train into passenger service “Our teams and delivery partners have been working on transforming our rail infrastructure in South Wales for the last three years and this signifies the next phase of the South Wales Metro “We’ve been modernising and electrifying the railway line and we are now extremely proud to be able to introduce the first of our brand-new trains that will be powered by electricity.” Senior councillors in Caerphilly will push ahead with proposals to close up to ten of the county borough’s libraries They believe concentrating on fewer sites and developing “hubs” there will improve the library service and allow users to access other organisations – as well as saving the council money Opposition councillors have criticised the proposal to shut “valuable” smaller libraries and argue some people may struggle to travel further afield if their local site closes Under the latest proposals Risca and Ystrad Mynach would remain open as hubs Newbridge and New Tredegar would also stay open but the latter would be reviewed in the next three years The libraries still at risk of closure are in Aberbargoed Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet members agreed on Thursday January 16 to a further round of public consultation welcomed the “significant” response to a first consultation round on the general proposals She said the strength of opposition to potentially shutting libraries in Newbridge and New Tredegar – and the fact the council serves as an “anchor tenant” in those buildings – had persuaded the local authority to remove those two sites from its closure list The council also said developing a “community outreach service” will “mitigate” the effects of any closures The refitted Rhymney Library has been cited as an example of what the council hopes to achieve with its hub model which would be home to a variety of council services as well as other third-sector organisations the manager of the Caerphilly Cares services said hubs would act as a “gateway” for residents seeking support from a range of public services She said the hub in Rhymney had helped residents access food parcels help with benefits payments and housing – as well as the usual book-borrowing library services – all under one roof also said the new-look Rhymney Library had seen an “exponential increase in footfall” the council’s education and corporate services director would “better focus these resources” and offer an “opportunity to improve the services we currently offer” But a majority of respondents to the first consultation round said they disagreed with the council’s plans and several Plaid Cymru opposition councillors have also criticised the proposals In comments to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Cllr Colin Mann said travel and access are “a big factor” and claimed the council “seems to ignore the value of having local services” “The whole thinking seems to concentrate on people who have access to their own private transport,” he added Cllr Teresa Parry questioned what would happen to residents “who have to travel and the cost implications for a family having to use public transport when many bus routes have been cut or services greatly reduced” Cllr Gary Enright said he felt the potential closures were “a done deal already” “Libraries are a vital and irreplaceable part of a cultured society and one of the very few places left where you do not have to pay to get in,” he added Caerphilly Council will launch its second round of consultation on January 22 It will also host a series of drop-in sessions A new police project tackling organised crime gangs has been launched in Rhymney with the aim of making the town “a safer place to live The ‘Respect Rhymney’ project is part of a Home Office initiative aimed at reducing offending in areas affected by high rates of crime and disorder Gwent Police will carry out a range of operations to target organised crime in the area and ‘restore pride in the community’ The force will work alongside Caerphilly County Borough Council and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) as part of the project shops and pubs in Rhymney were given educational material around vapes and underage sales from police officers and the council’s Trading Standards team Several residents were also spoken to about concerns around dog breeding The scheme got up and running with a two-day police operation which saw a 54-year-old man from Rhymney arrested on suspicion of possessing class B drugs with intent to supply He has since been released under investigation While searching a property on Thursday September 26 police found a “substantial” amount of class B drugs packaging equipment and drugs paraphernalia It was one of four arrests made in the first two days of the project Other arrests were made on suspicion of offences ranging from shoplifting to drug driving while the DVSA issued several fines for tyre offences said everyone involved in the project is “committed to making this community which has been affected by serious and organised crime He said “a lot of good work” has already been carried out in the town arresting and convicting eight organised crime group members over the last year CI Warden said those eight were handed sentences totalling a combined 30 years and seven months He continued: “This work has led to both crime and antisocial behaviour decreasing in the area “But we cannot rest on our laurels and continue to work with partners to ensure Rhymney remains a hostile environment for criminals we cannot do this alone and rely on the public to give us information to help us build our intelligence pictures so we can act and take criminals off our streets.” Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayohits radiosouth walesnewsWater warning & road closures due to large fireEmergency services are asking people to avoid Capital Valley Eco Park in Rhymney Emergency services are asking people to avoid Capital Valley Eco Park in Rhymney Residents near the site are being advised to close windows and doors There is also a road closure in place at Merchant Street in Pontlottyn South Wales Fire and Rescue said people living near the site could see discolouration of drinking water First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) More council assets in Caerphilly could be handed over to community groups in an attempt to save money But councillors stressed that interested groups must be given proper support to take over the running of those buildings Caerphilly County Borough Council has said it “simply cannot afford to deliver everything which it currently does” owing to “significant” financial challenges It is planning a “proactive” approach to securing more Community Asset Transfers (CATs) with groups interested in taking over the running of some buildings and facilities which the council deems surplus to requirements the council’s head of land and property said the “clear” goal was to derive “community value or social value” for assets which the council cannot sell The new policy marks a “shift away from the past” approach of “waiting for assets to arise” The council will forge “better links” with potential suitors and provide support to groups interested in a CAT Mr Winstanley said four pilot schemes developed using the new approach had been successful and the council is “looking to take all of them forward” to the transfer stage They include two sites in Rhymney – a Caerphilly Cares facility at Hafod Deg and a former meals on wheels building which has been “out of use for some time” Two other pilots have taken place in Risca – they are the “surplus” toilets in Risca’s Tredegar Park Members of Caerphilly Council’s housing and environment scrutiny committee urged the council to give proper support to groups interested in the CAT process Cllr Carl Cuss said some groups may not be clued up “on this sort of thing” and asked if the council had enough “capacity in the system” to support them “There is an aspiration in the community to make sure these buildings are continuing,” he added Mr Winstanley accepted the council would “need to get better” at supporting groups adding that a new CAT officer “will be a start” Cllr Haydn Pritchard sought assurances the council would not introduce “compulsory” CATs for its buildings amid concerns groups “may be put in a position where they have to take [a building] on or it will close” “I’ve not heard that term before,” said Mr Winstanley “It’s certainly not something on my radar – looking at a compulsory approach.”  The number of visitors to Rhymney Library more than doubled in 2024 the first year it reopened after refitting as a new “hub” for community services Caerphilly County Borough Council has proposed sweeping changes to its library services including potentially closing down 12 locations members heard those branches could potentially be transferred to community groups interested in running a library Cabinet members agreed to open a public consultation period on the plans for its new “strategic vision” for library services The council said its proposals are necessary because of “significant financial challenges” at a time of “rapid change and evolving community needs” It has proposed retaining five other libraries – in Bargoed Risca and Ystrad Mynach – and turning them into hubs following what deputy council leader Jamie Pritchard called the “exponential” success of Rhymney Library said there was “significant pressure on public finances” in Caerphilly and nationwide was tasked in March with “looking at options” to save money – with a pilot scheme at the Rhymney “hub” Footfall at Rhymney Library amounted to 11,960 visitors between January and September in 2022 That increased to 25,700 visitors in the same months in 2024, after the revamped library reopened Cllr Pritchard called the Rhymney footfall figures “brilliant” and said it would also help boost visitors into the town “These people are walking through the town centre or parking nearby,” Ms Peters replied “[By] basing a range of council services in the hub… people are attracted to the venue and to the town centre as well.” Cllr Nigel George asked what services were available at the town’s library hub in addition to book-borrowing services housing benefits help and employment support were among the council-led services – while Gwent Police the health board and Shelter are some of the other organisations which use the library to meet with the public Cllr Andrews asked how officers had decided which other libraries might remain open Mr Peters said the five libraries in question are in town centres and meet government requirements on travel distances The libraries which have their futures up for review by the council are: Aberbargoed The council’s public consultation on the possible changes to the county borough’s library services will begin on Tuesday October 22 The general election is almost here with the ballot taking place Thursday July 4 Let’s find out who’s standing in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Anne lives in Blaenau Gwent and is currently studying Environmental Management and working part time in health and safety She is a keen photographer and also volunteers with several local community groups Anne’s love of nature began when she moved to the suburbs as a teenager and had a garden for the first time This love led to her first job as a gardener in a local hotel Her love of nature has never waned and she is a keen nature photographer as well as a Green Party member Anne says: “I care passionately for the environment and social justice and have been involved in many campaigns over the years I have lived in Blaenau Gwent since 2017 and feel honoured to have this opportunity to stand as the parliamentary candidate for the new seat of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney.“I have been active in the community supporting many local events such as the Horse and Dog show and Cwm Carnival.“If elected I would spend my time in Westminster on issues that concern us all: to protect the NHS for improved transport links plus more jobs and affordable housing as well as protecting our environment.” Information taken from candidate profile on party website Jackie Charlton is an experienced county councillor in Powys right on the border of Blaenau Gwent where she is cabinet member for a greener Powys She has served as a county councillor for Llangattock since 2017 and with the merger of Llangattock and Llangynidr in 2022 she defeated the sitting Leader of Powys to win the new ward Jackie successfully presented and carried forward several motions to the council including more recognition for unpaid carers and declaring a climate emergency in 2020.  Jackie has lived in Llangattock since 1989 and has been an active member of the community in many roles as well as being an equality professional working for the Welsh Development Agency for six years Jackie was a Welsh Government appointee to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority for ten years and a non-executive director of Powys NHS Trust from 2000 to 2003 Jackie was additionally vice chair of both the trust and local health board Jackie Charlton and the Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated that Labour has taken Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney for granted for generations It’s time for a change and a new direction The party believes that it can offer a positive alternative to both a Labour-dominated Wales and the chaotic mismanagement by the Conservatives “I have lived on the border of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney since 1989 and worked in Ebbw Vale for six years as a tutor for access students who wanted to make a new start It’s time for a new start now and a move away from Labour The people of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney are talented and committed to their communities My job will be to harness that for a new beginning.Labour have taken local people for granted for too long in Wales and the Conservatives hardly know Wales exists It’s time for a voice in Westminster that will speak up for people in Blaenau Gwent instead of focusing on London and the south east Much of what you see day to day in Blaenau Gwent is delivered by the devolved Labour Government in Cardiff There is little to address the level of child poverty access to care and delivering on transport The dangers of climate change cannot be over-emphasised but Labour have reneged on that commitment too You will get more of the same with Labour.” he has worked and lived in Gwent for much of the past 40 years A former tutor with the TUC and Workers Education Association he has campaigned on a wide range of issues anti-racism and – for many years – freedom for the Palestinian people Rob is former Welsh president of the engineering white-collar union TASS and a delegate to Newport Trades Union Council and the Wales TUC He also chaired election and referendum campaigns for a Welsh Assembly and against membership of the pro-big business EU and was a founding member of the People’s Assembly against Austerity he is the author of books and pamphlets in English and Welsh on the economy and Welsh and working-class history His campaign is supported by ex-Labour Party members including two former leaders of Blaenau Gwent council Robert says: “I’m nobody’s poodle demanding support and investment for one of the poorest constituencies in Britain” My name is Choudhry Yasir Iqbal and I am a prospective Member of Parliament for the Workers Party of Britain I am deeply committed to the principles and values of our party and I am dedicated to serving the people of our community My political philosophy is rooted in the ten-point plan of the Workers Party of Britain I believe in the importance of public ownership of key industries I am committed to fighting for workers’ rights and ensuring that everyone has access to quality education and training opportunities In line with the manifesto of the Workers Party of Britain I am dedicated to promoting peace and cooperation on the international stage and I am opposed to imperialist wars and interventions and I am ready to represent you and fight for a fairer Hannah Jarvis stood as the party’s candidate in the recent Police and Crime Commissioner election for Gwent She does not believe policing powers should not be devolved to Wales The mother-of-two from Abergavenny is a former soldier who has served in Iraq She continued her education and went onto study international politics in Aberystwyth University where she left with a Bachelor of Arts and Masters degree she briefly worked as a substitute teacher in a Welsh speaking secondary school before getting a job with the Plaid Cymru Senedd group as a political researcher for social justice As a strong advocate for social justice and equalities Niamh will ensure that her campaign priorities focus on tackling child poverty supporting people through the cost-of-living crisis reducing the attainment gap and improving prosperity across Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Niamh is excited to get out and campaign in the Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney constituency meet local people and listen to their concerns Tell us about yourselfI attended Tredegar Comprehensive I helped my dad in his job for Brace’s Bread travelling around Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney It’s where I grew up and where I now live What do you have to offer if you are elected Why should people vote for you?I’ve been an MP since 2010 serving in the Public Accounts Committee and as shadow deputy leader of the House I’m an experienced MP who is able to get things done I know how to get complex problems sorted and how to successfully campaign in Parliament.  Why are you a party member?I joined the Labour Party when I was 16 because I wanted to see a fairer society The Labour Party is the best vehicle for producing the progressive policies that will benefit people in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney and across the whole UK What are the main issues in the constituency?Wales is continuing to pay the price for Tory economic failure food bills and mortgage rates are sky-high People work harder than ever for less reward. Labour will deliver economic stability We will bring forward a decade of national renewal I want to get our public services on their feet and help drive up living standards With two Labour governments working together we can cut NHS waiting times put more police on the streets and work to lower your bills Tell us about yourselfI come from a working-class background worked hard to put food on the table and pay the endless bills my passion has been working with vulnerable adults as a support worker and carer knowing that my dedication makes a real difference to those who need it most A measure of civilization is how well it protects its most vulnerable members I moved to Abertillery seven years ago to start a business and soon became the secretary of the allotment I am a member of This ignited a passion for community engagement leading me to become a community councillor for Llanhilleth ward When parliament was dissolved and the general election process began I knew I could step up to be a voice for the people of Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Why should people vote for you?As an independent I stand out in the race to be the next Member of Parliament for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney free from the constraints of party politics You may think this unusual for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney who won in 2005 with a landslide victory as an independent candidate After many years of top-down governance from London I aim to reverse that trend by being present in our community as much as possible we can build a great Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney from the ground up Why are you a party member (or why aren’t you a member of a party)?I am not a party member because I believe party politics is the reason why the heads of the valleys and Wales as a whole have suffered a decline over several decades I am not alone in my thinking; I have networked with other independent candidates across Wales whose constituencies share similar views I can provide Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney with a community-based focus and a national voice that I will shout from the rooftops My key message throughout my campaign has been consistent and memorable because it is true: I work for you are the main issues in your constituency?The main issues facing Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney are predominantly infrastructure-based There are plans for an Abertillery railway line but there are fears that the funding may never materialize schools in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney sent letters to all parents as a cry for help making it public that there is not enough money for the education system anymore as it has been cut to the bone Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney have an amazing history of innovation and success against all odds If I am voted in as the next member of parliament it will be my mission to rekindle this community spirit and give the area a new lease of life has now become part of the new Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney constituency