Ship fire contained
Apr 26 – A fire which broke out on a ship carrying 1,000 tonnes of scrap metal has been contained, but crews remain on site.
Fire crews were called to Newport Docks at about 05:40 BST on Sunday after the blaze broke out on the vessel Nord Houston, which was docked there. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said there were appliances from several local fire stations on site on Sunday afternoon, with crews set to remain there into Monday to “ensure there is no reignition”.
The cause of the fire is unknown and there is no risk to the public, according to officials, and operations are being safely scaled back.
SWFRS added it was working with Associated British Ports, harbour authorities, Natural Resources Wales, the police and Newport council to assess any potential environmental impact.
E-bikes seized
Apr 20 – Neighbourhood officers in Newport made an arrest, seized two Sur-Ron bikes, an e-bike and recovered a stolen moped during a proactive operation in the east of the city.
A fixed-wing plane from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) supported officers for Operation Harley, which tackles the illegal use of off-road bikes, on Sunday 5 April.
Officers arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle dangerously, concerned in the supply of cocaine, concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis, and possession of criminal property. They later searched an address in the Beechwood area, recovering mobile phones, snap bags of cocaine, cannabis and a quantity of cash. The man, from Newport, was released under investigation as our enquiries continue.
They recovered a Sur-Ron bike and dealt with a 16-year-old boy for possession with intent to supply cannabis. Officers also recovered a stolen moped in Pen-y-wal Drive, Llanwern; two boys, aged 16 and 12, are to be interviewed in connection with handling stolen goods and driving without insurance. During the operation, officers also seized an e-bike which they believed had been illegally modified., o
Padel revolution comes to Newport!
Apr 13 – Global sports phenomenon Padel comes to Newport this weekend with the opening of Matchbox Pickleball at 1-2 East Bank Road. Details here
The new centre will host padel, pickleball and golf simulation and is the first facility for padel players in Newport. There will be refreshment facilities, live music and co-working spaces.
Padel courts are enclosed by glass and wire mesh, allowing walls to be used in play, similar to squash. Pickleball is played on an open court with no walls. Padel uses a solid paddle with holes and a low-pressure ball. Pickleball uses a solid, lighter paddle (wood or composite) and a plastic, perforated ball. Both sports are highly sociable and require lower skill levels than other racquet sports and is popular with all ages. According to the Lawn Tennis Association in 2019 there were around 15,000 players and just 50 courts. By 2025, this had risen to 400,000 and the number of courts stood at 893.
Another club is planned in the Spytty area. On Slazenger’s website they state it will be at 7 Seven Stiles Avenue, current location of a Matalan Clearance Store. It will have 11 premium indoor courts, Elite coaching & training programs, Pro shop & equipment hire And Exclusive Founder Membership benefits.
Rapist jailed for ten years
On Wednesday 28 June 2023, the then 20-year-old went to the home address of his 17-year-old victim after absconding from Newport Magistrate’s Court. Jenkins-Lang attempted to initiated sexual contact with the victim while in her bedroom. He was told no but forced himself on her.
Following the attack, the victim managed to get away to a neighbour where the police were called.On his arrest, he was found wearing a stab vest and carrying a BB gun and knife. During a trial in September 2024, the defendant presented a letter to his barrister claiming to have received it from the victim while remanded in custody. In the letter, the victim purportedly apologised and cleared him of the offence. The trial was adjourned to investigate further.
Forensics, handwriting samples and expert witnesses showed that the victim was not involved in the letter and led to Jenkins-Lang and 21-year-old man being charged with perverting the course of justice. The 21-year-old man was found not guilty during the trial.
Next commits to Friars Walk
Apr 9 – Clothing retailer Next has confirmed that it has extended its lease at Friars Walk following the loss of two key tenants in the last week. See below.
Further Malpas Road roadworks planned
Apr 9 – Newport City Council will be carrying out two more phases of weekend resurfacing work on Malpas Road in April. They will be resurfacing both sides of the road between the southernmost entrance to Goodrich Crescent (by Crindau Constitutional Club) up to approximately 62 Malpas Road.
The work will take place across two full weekend shifts:
- 8pm Friday 10 April until 5am Monday 13 April
- 8pm Friday 24 April until 5am Monday 27 April
Is M4 relief road talk a pipe dream?
Apr 8 – There must be an election coming up both Reform and the Conservatives want to see the resurrection of an M4 relief road. The former want it to be a toll road! Approximately £15.2 million was spent on Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) and property acquisitions ahead of the decision by First Minister Mark Drakeford. Some of that has been sold on although parts remain unsold. He took the view that the proposed routes would cause untold damage to the Levels. Newport Labour politicians, in the main, still favour a modified relief road to by pass some of the congestion caused by the Brynglas Tunnels. Significant sums have now been committed to upgrading the local rail network which must not be affected by this.
The notion of a new road is a pipe dream but the option to develop and upgrade existing infrastructure surely is an option. This was the so called blue route in the original proposals. This would offer the option to significantly upgrade the Eastern Distributor from Magor to Glan Llyn and Southern Distributor roads and cut across from Nash to the SDR bridge to improve the flow of traffic and could be achieved at a significantly lower cost than other options.
Hedyn to open new HQ in landmark building
Apr 7 – Housing association, Hedyn, plans to open new headquarters in the old Royal Mail building at the rear of Newport railway station on Mill Street. The landmark building has recently been converted and unoccupied for some time but the housing group (a merger of Melin and Newport City Homes) plan to relocate from existing locations in Newport and Pontypool with the new base up and running by 2028.
Blow for city centre as M&S end lease
Apr 7 – Marks and Spencer has announced plans to close their Friars Walk Foodhall store at the end of June in a blow for the city centre. The group states it does not plan to renew the lease on the store after being there for ten years.
City 9th in ‘willpower’ index
Apr 5 – New research from Phlo Clinic, a digital pharmacy and healthcare provider, has compiled a “Willpower Index”, revealing where in the UK it’s easiest and hardest to stick to weight loss goals.
The index takes into account factors such as the cost of a healthy shopping basket, the price of a McDonald’s meal, and the number of gyms, pubs and green spaces across 41 cities.
Alongside the index, a nationally representative survey of 2,000 adults highlights a wider “willpower gap”, with 57% of Brits saying the availability of unhealthy food makes losing weight harder. Meanwhile, 44% say they have stopped trying to lose weight due to mental or physical exhaustion, and a further 44% feel expected to eat and drink “normally” at social events, even when it conflicts with their goals.Newport was named 9th hardest places in the UK to stick to weight loss goals.
Home Bargains plan new store, creating 100 jobs
Apr 1 – Home Bargains plan to open a new store in the former Homebase unit on the Harlech Retail Park on Cardiff Road in Newport. The company state it will create 100 full and part time jobs. They have asked for a planning variation to allow for 30 per cent of floor space for the sale of food and drink. The news comes as it is reported River Island are closing their Friars Walk store.
Elsewhere, planning conditions are being discharged to convert the former Tom Toya Lewis in to eight two bedroomed flats. There are numerous other applications including plans for a huge solar implementation at Mendelgief Retail Park, installing 144 panels at the site, the residential conversion of the former Le Pub building in Caxton Place to residential and the redevelopment of the former Slipping Jimmy’s bar on High Street into an apartment hotel.
£2 million for city regeneration project
Mar 27 – The Welsh Government has granted fresh funding to areas seeking to revitalise town centres and public spaces. £12.2 million has been allocated across Wales Including £2 million grant funding for a project in Newport (full details cannot be disclosed at this time due to commercial sensitivities)
Second phase of Malpas Road roadworks set for this weekend
Mar 26 – The second phase of the resurfacing of Malpas Road is being carried out this weekend. The Council will be resurfacing both sides of the road between the M4 junction 26 roundabout and the northernmost entrance to Goodrich Crescent, opposite the Lyceum Tavern.
The work will take place from 10.30pm on Saturday 28 March to 5.30am on Monday 30 March. This means that the road will be closed all of Sunday 29 March.
A provisional extra shift, if required, has been scheduled for between 11.30pm on Monday 30 March and 4am on Tuesday 31 March. The council will communicate on Monday via its social media channels if this extra shift is required.
Resident access to Goodrich Crescent and Brynglas will be available via the Harlequin roundabout, Brynglas Road and Aston Crescent. All other traffic will be required to follow diversion routes which will be in place. Further weekend work is planned for after Easter. Exact dates for the remaining work will be confirmed by the council in due course.
Work on Somerton Road takes place from 8pm tonight – see our report dated March 19.
Most city bus fares set to increase / Easter service levels
Mar 26 – Most Newport bus fares are set to increase from March 29 as part of the annual review of fares.
A single fare will be £2.75, city day fares will be £5.50, a weekly city ticket will be £22.95 but app-based Trio fares will not increase until the end of May These packages allow customers to purchase three day tickets in a single transaction, offering savings of more than 20% compared with buying individual day tickets during this period with the Trio (three City Day tickets) priced at £13 and Trio Plus (three City Day Plus tickets) priced at £16.
Easter service levels – 3 April, Good Friday: Saturday Service 4 April, Saturday: Saturday Service 5 April, Easter Sunday: Sunday Service 6 April, Easter Bank Holiday: Sunday Service
City centre college campus stage 2 approved
Mar 23 – The business case for the new city centre further education college in Newport has been approved by Welsh Government. Delivered in partnership with Welsh Government and Newport City Council, the project will create a new modern, accessible campus designed to meet the needs of learners across the city at a cost of £105 million. Facilities for 2000 plus learners will relocate from the existing Lliswerry site to the new site formerly Newport Centre. The project can now enter its design and detailed planning phase. Colocation with the University of South Wales will create a unified Knowledge Quarter with work set to commence in summer 2027.
Council leader Dimitri Batrouni stated “This will be a brilliant investment, not only in the city centre and Newport but in the future of our young people by providing first-class, modern facilities in an accessible location. This is a large-scale and impressive development and I’m pleased that it is continuing to make such good progress.”
Steel industry strategy welcomed
Mar 23 – The UK Government’s steel strategy has been welcomed by Newport East MP Jessica Morden. The Strategy includes a commitment to reduce overall quota levels for steel imports from abroad by 60% compared to current arrangements, and the introduction of a 50% tariff for any steel imports.
The Strategy also confirms electric arc furnaces (EAFs) as the future of British steelmaking. Steel making processes remain in Newport at Tata Llanwern and 7 Steel, Liswerry.
Motorcyclist killed in accident
Mar 23 – A 61 year old motorcyclist has died following an accident on the M4 slip road approaching the Coldra roundabout. The slip road is currently a single lane. The collision involved a blue Audi Q8 and a white Triumph Trident motorbike.
In a separate incident a man is in a stable condition following a serious accident on Chepstow Road in the Glanwern area. The collision involved a single vehicle, with the driver initially described as being in a life-threatening condition.
UK funding used to purchase Commercial Street properties
Mar 20 – Newport City Council has used UK Government Shared Prosperity funding to purchase two eyesore buildings at 166-168 Commercial Street. One of the units was home to WH Smith until the company ceased trading in Newport while the other adjoining store was formerly used by Mothercare and BlueInc, among others.
The site is a three-storey mid-terrace commercial building, comprising two self-contained retail units over the ground floors and three upper floors. The properties are empty and require refurbishment throughout with potential asbestos removal given they were built in the 1950s. The Council report covering the decision states the Council will “carry out an appraisal as to their future use, with a likely recommendation to demolish the buildings and creating a new area of public space.” Cllr James Clarke stated “We are not closing our minds to any alternative use but, at the moment, it appears demolition would be the best option so the space could be used in a new way.”
Jobs market static
Mar 20 – Our regular monitor of the jobs market shows the number of vacancies to be static when compared to our last survey in September. The Government’s job search site has 300 available jobs within 5 miles of Newport, total jobs.com has 351 jobs. Vacancies include GP opportunities for NHS surgeries locally, project management, mechanical engineering, finance analysts a bakery assistant in M&S and retail assistant in GAME. Among the main employers locally Newport City Council has 34 vacancies, Torfaen 30 including apprenticeships, Hedyn (Newport City Homes) has 9 opportunities, the Celtic Manor has numerous vacancies
Somerton roadworks planned for end of month
Mar 19 – Somerton Road will undergo overnight resurfacing on March 26–27, 2026, causing a full road closure between Collingwood Rd/Cromwell Rd roundabout and Frobisher Rd from 8pm–5am. A signed diversion will be in place, and residents are advised not to park on the affected stretch during these hours.
No Newport - Cardiff trains this weekend
Mar 16 – There are no trains running between Newport and Cardiff this weekend (March 21 and 22). The blockade is due to engineering works on the mainline. Replacement bus services will operate every five minutes. Trains to London Paddington, Manchester and Birmingham will start at Newport.
Newport Tory councillor steps down
Mar 16 – Chris Reeks, Conservative councillor for Rogerstone North is stepping down for personal reasons with immediate effect. Matthew Evans, Tory leader, said he was ‘very sad’ to see him go but ‘family comes first.’
Eveswell School to reopen following health incident
Mar 11 – Eveswell Primary School in Newport is set to reopen following a serious medical incident on Tuesday involving a 10-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital by air ambulance. Emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, attended the scene.
Kingsway revives ‘indoor market’
Mar 10 – Kingsway Shopping Centre will play host to the revival of the indoor market concept for Newport shoppers starting at the end of March.The huge former B&M unit is being converted into a trading space called ‘The Market’.
They say “The Market is a dynamic entrepreneurial space, an innovative destination operating exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays, located within the Kingsway Centre in Newport. This brand new venue is designed for food lovers and art enthusiasts alike, offering a unique platform to trade amidst fresh produce, delectable hot food, handmade crafts, and live entertainment. Reminiscent of the old InShops but with a new twist. We have purpose built units of varied sizes for crafters, fresh produce, shops and hot food.”
At the back of the unit there’s a seating area for live entertainment.
Reform relief road policy exposed
Mar 10 – Plans by Reform to resuscitate the M4 relief road proposal have been exposed. As part of its Senedd manifesto launch the party claimed it could bring the idea back but has admitted that the only way it could now be funded is as a toll road. They also claim they would try to access £1.5 billion in private finance to build the road. Labour claimed that the commitment was a populist pipe dream and would affect the UK Government’s plan for rail infrastructure investment recently announced.
Newport Conservative Leader Cllr Matthew Evans asked : “How many motorists would pay the toll? How many would simply continue on the existing M4 or even detour through Newport’s A-Roads to avoid paying the toll?” The Conservatives also back the relief road proposal but have no plan to pay for it.
Newport’s Labour leader Dimitri Batrouni has confirmed he would support a much modified M4 relief road scheme alongside the planned public transport schemes but this is not official Labour policy.
Newport extends childcare support
Previously, families qualified for the support if they lived in certain parts of the city. The free childcare is available from the term after the child’s second birthday until the term the child reaches their third birthday.
Councillor Deb Davies, cabinet member for education and early years, said: “I’m really pleased that parents and carers across the whole city can now be offered free childcare for up to two and half hours a day. It means families no longer need to live in a certain postcode to qualify and as well as the support it gives them, the children will also benefit.”
Whe a child turns three, their parents or carers could then be eligible for up to 30 hours of free childcare per week through the Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer for Wales. Parents and carers with children in private childcare can apply for the funding if their childcare setting is registered with Flying Start. Childcare settings who are not currently registered can apply to join the programme.