Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Monday, April 15) (2024)

Hello, and welcome to Wales Online's live blog for Monday, April 15. We will be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales - whether you're on the move, at home or at work - as well as the latest traffic and travel.

We will also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas. Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that's breaking in your area.

Ryan O'Neill

Goodnight

That's all for today everyone. Thanks for reading. Join us again tomorrow from 6am when we'll bring you all the latest breaking news, weather and travel.

Ryan O'Neill

Woman charged with murder of baby found more than 25 years ago

A woman has been charged with murder by detectives investigating the death of a baby found in woodland more than 25 years ago. "Callum" was discovered close to the Gulliver’s World theme park in the Callands area of Warrington in March 1998 and a murder investigation was launched.

The baby was named by detectives after the place where his body was found. Callum was believed to have been just a few hours old when he died.

On Monday (April 15) Joanne Sharkey, of West Derby in Liverpool, was charged with murder. The 54-year-old will appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Read the full story here.

Ryan O'Neill

Traffic cleared after fallen tree

Traffic on the A4871 has cleared after the earlier fallen tree near Caernarfon, traffic monitoring services show.

North Wales Live reports the road remains closed but traffic has cleared.

Ryan O'Neill

Road closed due to fallen tree

The A4871 southbound has been blocked for several hours due to fallen tree from A487 (Plas Menai roundabout, Bethel) to B4419 Bangor Street (Caernarfon).

The incident is ongoing since earlier this evening and was reported at around 5.15pm. Inrix reports that the northbound closure is slightly shorter.

Ryan O'Neill

M48 Severn Bridge reopens to all traffic

The M48 Severn Bridge has now re-opened to all traffic now wind speeds have dropped to a safe level.

There are no significant delays reported on approach to the bridge, which was shut earlier on Monday due to high winds.

Ryan O'Neill

Cannabis farm discovered by police in Swansea as man arrested

A man has been arrested after police discovered a cannabis farm in a Swansea building. Officers from South Wales Police executed a warrant at an address in Pantteg, Ystalyfera in Swansea on Sunday, April 14 where dozens of cannabis plants were discovered.

A 20-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the discovery. PC Alexandra Nethell and the Pontardawe neighbourhood policing team carried out the raid, with assistance from the Port Talbot neighbourhood policing team and police community support officers.

Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Monday, April 15) (1)

Sergeant Matthew Jones said: "The success of this warrant shows the importance of quick action on the intelligence that we receive from our communities. We are again grateful to our communities for their patience and support while our officers carried out the warrant and arrest, and we would encourage those whose lives are blighted by these illegal activities to continue reporting their concerns and suspicions."

Ryan O'Neill

A470 traffic returns to normal after incident

Traffic has returned to normal after the earlier accident on the A470 southbound from the A4060 (Abercanaid Roundabout, Merthyr Tydfil) to the A472 (Abercynon Roundabout, Abercynon).

Ryan O'Neill

A470 partially blocked due to obstruction on road

Inrix reports that the A470 southbound is partially blocked with heavy traffic due to an obstruction on the road from the A4060 (Abercanaid Roundabout, Merthyr Tydfil) to the A472 (Abercynon Roundabout, Abercynon).

People are advised to take caution and find alternatives routes if they can.

Ryan O'Neill

Man found dead at home as police launch search for his family

A search has been launched for a man's family after he was found dead at home. The body of Raymond Gethin, 76, was found at his house in Heol Isaf, Neath by police on Friday, April 12.

HM Coroner's Office is seeking assistance in locating the next of kin for Mr Gethin, South Wales Police said on Monday. A statement from the force said friends of Mr Gethin have indicated that he was unmarried and childless, but may have a cousin residing in Swansea and potentially other family members in Scotland.

Anyone with information regarding Mr Gethin's family is urged to contact the Coroner's Office on 01792 450650, referencing occurrence number 2400117844.

Branwen Jones

B4235 eastbound closed due to fire incident

The B4325 eastbound is currently closed due to the fire incident, traffic monitoring service Inrix has confirmed.

The closure is from West Perimeter Road to Scoveston Road.

Follow our live updates on the incident here.

Branwen Jones

M48 Severn Bridge remains closed due to strong winds

The National Highways has reminded motorists that the M48 Severn Bridge remains closed to all traffic due to continued strong winds in the area.

Diversion route is via the M4 Prince of Wales bridge.

Branwen Jones

Family pays tribute to 'beautiful daughter' who died a week after crash

A family have paid tribute to a "beautiful daughter" who died a week after being involved in a crash. Demi Leigh Mabbitt died of her injuries on April 12 following a car crash on April 5. Read more here.

Branwen Jones

Rugby news: Welsh coach calls for massive change and Rees-Zammit starts work

Wales women coach Ioan Cunningham has called for change in the Welsh Rugby Union's plans for the game after a chastening defeat to Ireland.

Meanwhile, across the pond, Louis Rees-Zammit starts work with Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs today.

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Monday, April 15.

Branwen Jones

M&S, Tesco, Morrisons and Co-op issue urgent food recalls over safety fears

Emergency refunds are being offered by M&S, Co-op, Tesco, and Morrisons as they recall products. The retailers have issued important health and safety alerts via the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

The FSA explains on its website that sometimes a food product will have an issue that means it should not be sold. In such cases, it might be 'withdrawn', which means removed from the shelves, or 'recalled', which is when customers are asked to return the product, reports Birmingham Live.

Read more here.

Branwen Jones

Congestion now clear on two roads in Cardiff

Congestion now clear on the A48M westbound between J29 Castleton and St Mellons, as well as the A4232 southbound in St fa*gans.

Branwen Jones

Lord Cameron, foreign secretary warns Israel to be 'smart' following Iran's attack

Lord David Cameron has urged Israel to be "smart as well as tough" by not escalating the conflict with Iran, PA reports.

Israel should recognise Tehran's attack as an "almost total failure" and "think with with head as well as heart" in its response, the Foreign Secretary said.

He confirmed that British RAF jets shot down "a small number" of drones fired by Iran in what was its first direct military assault on Israeli soil.

The unprecedented attack by Iran, which it said was in retaliation against a strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month, has raised fears over the Israel-Hamas war spiralling into a wider regional conflagration.

Branwen Jones

Congestion in areas of Cardiff

There is congestion on the A48M Westbound between J29 Castleton and St Mellons, as well as on the A4232 Southbound in St fa*gans this morning.

Traffic Wales has warned motorists to allow additional time for travel.

Branwen Jones

Bridge closed due to high winds causing long delays on M4 in Monmouthshire

There are currently long delays due to the closure of the M48 Severn Bridge on M4 Eastbound at J23A A4810 (Magor Services) on the M4 in Monmouthshire.

According to Inrix, there is congestion to J29 (A48(M) interchange), which is seeing delays on the Westbound side and along the A4810.

Travel time is said to be around 45 minutes. Normal morning condition is not helped by the bridge being closed due to high winds.

Branwen Jones

Jobs under threat at national museums

Wales' national museums will axe at least 90 jobs after a big cut in their funding.

The chief executive of Museum Wales, Jane Richardson, has warned that more jobs may go.

The head of the organisation also said that one of its best known buildings, the National Museum of Cardiff, in the Cathays area of the city may also be forced to be closed because of its deteriorating condition, according to the BBC.

Branwen Jones

Strong winds on A55 bridge in north Wales

There are strong winds on A55 Britannia Bridge between J9 A487 (Treborth) and J8 A5 (Llanfairpwll).

The matrix sign is set to 30 mph, according to Inrix.

Branwen Jones

Police investigating whether Sydney shopping centre attacker intentionally targeted women

Police have said they will be investigating whether the Sydney shopping centre attacker intentionally targeted women, PA has reported.

Five women were among the six people killed by knife attacker Joel Cauchi in the Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction on Saturday, April 13.

New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb said it is a "line of inquiry" that the Sydney shopping centre attacker "focused on women and avoided the men" during his stabbing spree.

Branwen Jones

Met Office issues weather warning for Wales saying 'disruption likely'

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds in Wales. According to the forecaster, strong winds may cause some disruption through most of Monday, April 15, with some inland areas likely to experience gusts of up to 45mph, while coastal areas may experience winds of up to 55mph. Read more here.

Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Monday, April 15) (2)

Branwen Jones

Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire closed for high-sided vehicles

The A477's Cleddau Bridge closed to high-sided vehicles due to strong winds between Pembroke Dock and Neyland in Pembrokeshire, according to traffic monitoring service Inrix.

Branwen Jones

Bridge closed in both directions due to strong winds

The M48 Severn Bridge is closed in both directions to all traffic this morning due to strong winds in the area. Diversion route is in place via the M4 Prince of Wales bridge, according to National Highways.

Branwen Jones

Met Office forecast for Monday

There will be sunny spells today, according to the Met Office, but also blustery showers and it will be feeling chilly in brisk winds.

Here is the full forecast for Wales today:

Sunny spells and blustery showers, possibly heavy at times with hail, the odd rumble of thunder and some wintriness over the hills. Feeling noticeably chiller compared with recent days. Maximum temperature 11 °C."

Branwen Jones

Good morning

Welcome to the WalesOnline daily blog.

The breaking news team are here ready to bring you all the latest news, weather and travel from across the region.

Time to get started.

Live: Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Monday, April 15) (2024)
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