Calon Cymru

If anyone can help in Abertillery today then please make your way to help Wales in Bloom! A day of planting at St Michael’s Church from 9am! If you can’t be there, then please help by donating plants, seeds or compost! We hope you have a great day all! 🙏🏼

@Tricky_1984 Sadly we are destined to travel at a snails pace.

@CalonWales How do all they changes make the bus faster 😂

Is your commute getting slower? Recent data shows the average bus speed in Wales has dropped to just 12.4mph. That’s barely faster than a jog! It’s no wonder 32% of us say we’d ditch the car if the buses were simply faster. The good news? Big changes are coming: ✅ May 7: The Senedd Election could decide the future of the new "One Network, One Ticket" bus system. ✅ May 17: A massive rail overhaul launches, including a 50% increase in North Wales services! ✅ New Tech: Tap-on, tap-off contactless pay is finally rolling out on key routes. Wales is moving but is it moving fast enough for you? Let us know in the comments! #WalesTransport #TravelWales #Senedd2026 #PublicTransport #CommuterLife

@bluegarnedd There was a poll on Findoutnow, on behalf of CPT Cymru. the representation was across Wales. Aprox 1000 people tock part.

@CalonWales How many Welsh residents were actually asked in this survey?

The 20mph U-Turn: A Masterclass in Waste? While the Senedd debates "tightening belts," the cost of the 20mph saga continues to spiral. What started as a £33 million rollout is now turning into a multi-million pound cleanup operation. 1. The "Reverse" Bill After ignoring 460,000+ signatures, the Welsh Government is now footing the bill to change the signs back. With councils like Wrexham and Swansea estimating costs of nearly £400k-£500k each, the total "correction" cost for all 22 authorities is expected to blow past the Government’s £5m allocation. 2. The £9 Billion Elephant in the Room Let’s not forget the Government’s own economic impact assessment, which warned of a potential £4.5bn to £9bn hit to the Welsh economy over 30 years due to increased travel times and reduced productivity. In a cost-of-living crisis, can we really afford a "vanity project" that slows down the nation? 3. Mixed Messaging, Wasted Money While casualties are down (a win for everyone), critics argue this could have been achieved with targeted 20mph zones outside schools and hospitals for a fraction of the price. Instead, we got a "blanket" approach that is now being unpicked road-by-road, sign-by-sign. Whether you support the speed limit or not, the financial mismanagement is staggering. We paid to put the signs up, and now we’re paying to take them down all while the NHS and schools face "real-term" cuts in the 2026 budget. #Wales #Senedd #20mph #WelshPolitics #WastefulSpending

NEWTOWN SCHOOLS: THE CRISIS IS GROWING. It’s not just the preschools. From Primary through to High School, Newtown’s education system is under immense strain, and local families are the ones stuck on waitlists. The Reality Check for Parents: Junior & Primary Overcrowding The council’s "urgent search" for preschool places is a warning sign of what’s coming next. As classes fill up, families who missed the January 15 primary deadline are now classified as "Late Applicants." The Penalty: In a town where spots are already "outstripping supply," being a late applicant effectively means you’ve lost your right to choose. You’ll be placed wherever there’s a gap, not necessarily where your child’s friends or siblings are. Newtown High School & The Budget Deficit While the high school was recently removed from Estyn’s "review list" (kudos to the staff!)The financial situation is bleak. The Deficit: The school is facing a projected £1.7 million deficit by 2028. The Impact: Budget recovery plans often mean larger class sizes and fewer elective subjects. For Year 7–11 pupils, this means a "one-size-fits-all" education because the funding for specialised support is being squeezed. Sixth Form "Regional" Gamble The council is moving toward a "regional model" for Sixth Forms. While they claim this increases choice, many parents fear it’s a precursor to losing local control and forcing students to travel further afield for specific A-Levels or vocational courses. The "Late" Trap: The secondary offer date was March 2, 2026. If you are moving to the area now or haven't secured a spot, you are facing a "High Volume" backlog at the Admissions Office. Our children are not data. We shouldn't have to "tender" for our children's right to an education. Chronic under-planning by Powys County Council has led us to a point where "availability" matters more than "suitability." #Newtown #PowysEducation #SaveOurSchools #NewtownHighSchool #EducationCrisis #WalesSchools

Is the Welsh Government "Gaslighting" Dental Patients? Ministers call it "reform." Dentists call it "callous." As we head to the polls on May 7, the truth about NHS dentistry in Wales is getting harder to ignore. The new April 1st contract isn't an "improvement" it's a rationing plan. ❌ No More Registration: Say goodbye to your "family dentist." You’re being moved to a central portal where you’re just a slot in a queue. ❌ 2-Year Gaps: If your teeth are healthy, you’ve been downgraded to one check-up every 24 months. How many cavities can start in two years? ❌ The 10% Quota: Dentists are being forced to dump long-term, loyal patients to meet government "new patient" targets. ❌ Higher Costs: Check-up fees have spiked by over 35%, hitting the poorest families the hardest during a cost-of-living crisis. The BDA warns the service is at a "make or break" point. If we don’t demand a pause and a "safety net" for our local practices, the high-street dentist will be a thing of the past by 2027. Is this the "Fairer Wales" we were promised? #Senedd2026 #DentalCrisis #NHSWales #SaveOurDentists #WalesElection #CardiffBay

14 Days to Decide: The Future of Welsh Farming is on the Line. Today, May 1st, marks the final two-week countdown for Welsh farmers to submit their Single Application Form (SAF). The choice? Join the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) or watch their traditional support vanish. The Hard Truth for 2026. The 40% Pay Cut: For those staying with the legacy Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), funding has officially been slashed by 40% this year. It will be phased out entirely by 2029. The 10% Rule: To access the new SFS payments, farmers must manage at least 10% of their land as habitat. If you don't have enough, you are mandated to create it. Red Tape Crisis: NFU Cymru is calling for an urgent independent review into the "raft of regulation" currently suffocating primary producers. The Budget Gap: Industry leaders are demanding the next Welsh Government uplift the support budget to over £500m to combat massive inflation in fuel and fertilizer. With the Senedd election on May 7, the rural vote has never been more vital. Will the next government listen to the families who feed us, or will 2026 be remembered as the year the family farm was pushed over the edge? #BackWelshFarming #NoFarmersNoFood #Senedd2026 #RuralWales #SFS #SaveOurFarms

BREAKING: Bannau Brycheiniog Wildfire Update. Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue are currently battling a massive wildfire in the Nant Ddu area of the Beacons. The blaze has been burning for over 24 hours, fueled by high winds and extremely dry ground. Stay Safe: Residents in the valleys: Keep your windows and doors CLOSED due to heavy smoke. Hikers: Pont ar Daf car park is CLOSED. Please avoid Pen y Fan and the surrounding peaks to allow emergency services access. Check @SWFireandRescue for the latest on road closures. #BreconBeacons #BannauBrycheiniog #WalesNews

Huge shake-up proposed for NHS Wales! The Senedd election debate just heated up. Here’s what’s on the table: Reform UK: Wants to slash health boards from 7 down to just 2 or 3 to cut "management layers." Conservatives: Calling for more community hospitals to fix the "beds crisis" (33% of beds lost in 20 years). Lib Dems: Demanding a surge in social care funding to unblock hospital exits. Labour: Defending "stretching" waiting time targets. Who has the right prescription for our health service? #Senedd2026 #NHSWales #WalesPolitics

THE CRISIS IN WELSH FARMING🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🚜 The numbers are out, and they are devastating. Over 11,000 cattle were slaughtered in Wales last year due to Bovine TB. Behind every statistic is a Welsh farming family facing heartbreak and financial uncertainty. NFU Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government for urgent, "drastic" changes to current policy. What needs to change? A strategy that addresses the disease in wildlife as well as cattle. Evidence-based, targeted interventions (vaccination and culling where necessary). Protecting the future for the next generation of Welsh farmers. We cannot keep slaughtering thousands of cattle while the root of the problem remains unaddressed. It’s time for a plan that actually works. #BackWelshFarming #BovineTB #NFUCymru #WelshAgriculture #Senedd

Dramatic scenes in the Elan Valley last night. Many residents in Rhayader and the surrounding areas saw the night sky glowing orange as a large grass fire took hold in the hills. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were on the scene tackling the blaze. A huge thank you to our emergency services for working through the night in such difficult terrain to keep the community and wildlife safe. 🙏 #ElanValley #Rhayader #PowysNews #Wales #FireSafety

Housing vs. Heritage: The Chwilog Debate. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Plans for a new estate of 25 affordable homes in the village of Chwilog have been officially refused by Cyngor Gwynedd’s planning committee going directly against the advice of their own planning officers. The Facts. The Proposal: 25 affordable homes intended for local people, aimed at helping young families stay in the area. Despite being "affordable," the local community and councillors argued the development was too large for the village’s infrastructure. The "Enough is Enough" Moment. Councillor Gruffydd Williams led the opposition, stating the village had already reached its limit for growth. The Role of the Language Planning System In Gwynedd, planning isn't just about bricks and mortar; it’s about linguistics. Under the current system. Language Impact Assessments: Developments must be evaluated for their impact on the Welsh language. Critics argued that a sudden influx of residents (even in affordable housing) could dilute the "linguistic balance" of Chwilog, one of the strongest Welsh-speaking strongholds in the county. While planners often suggest these homes help locals, the committee felt the sheer scale threatened the community’s "character and soul." This decision highlights a massive dilemma. How do you provide homes for the next generation without "urbanising" and changing the very culture they want to stay for? Planning officers warned that refusing these homes could actually hurt the language by forcing young Welsh speakers to move away to find housing, but for now, the committee has sided with the "character" of the village. #Gwynedd #Wales #HousingCrisis #WelshLanguage #Cymraeg #PlanningPolicy

🚩£157 MILLION FOR A ROAD THAT DOESN’T EXIST. While we all sit bumper-to-bumper at the Brynglas Tunnels (again), let’s talk about the £157,000,000 of taxpayer money the Welsh Government spent on the M4 Relief Road before scrapping it. That is £157m on: ✅ Environmental surveys for a road that wasn’t built. ✅ A public inquiry that recommended going ahead... only to be ignored. ✅ Buying up 29 homes that are now just a reminder of a "Black Route" fantasy. Reality Check: Total Spent: Over £157 million (and climbing if you count the ongoing economic cost of congestion). The Result: Zero miles of new Tarmac. The Future: With the 2026 Senedd elections approaching, we’re still arguing over colors Black, Blue, Red, Purple while the only thing moving is the money out of our pockets. Is it "climate leadership" to waste nine figures on planning only to leave commuters stuck in gridlock, or is it just the most expensive U-turn in Welsh history? #M4ReliefRoad #WalesPolitics #Senedd2026 #Newport #Waste #GridlockWales

THE GREAT CROSS-BORDER SHIFT: Why Everyone is Looking at Wales in 2026. The "Border Bounce" is no longer a myth, it's a major market driver. As we head further into 2026, buyers from across the bridge are moving into Wales at record rates. But what’s really fueling the fire? £80,000 Motivation. The latest 2026 figures are stark. While the average home in England has hit £290,000, the average in Wales sits at £210,000. That £80k gap means a buyer from Bristol or Liverpool can often trade a small apartment for a 3-bedroom family home with a garden and still have cash left over. The New "Friction" for Investors The Welsh Government isn't just watching from the sidelines. To protect local stock, new rules have kicked in this year. The MDR Jump: As of February 13, 2026, the tax rule for buying multiple homes (Multiple Dwellings Relief) spiked from 1% to 3%. The 17% Ceiling: Higher-rate Land Transaction Tax (LTT) for second homes now reaches as high as 17% for the top end of the market. The 182-Day Rule: To avoid massive council tax premiums, holiday let owners must prove their property is actually let for 182 days a year. The "Connectivity" Factor With the South Wales Metro and upgraded rail links fully online, towns like Newport and Wrexham are seeing an 11.7% surge in transactions. For many, Wales isn't just a "holiday spot" anymore it’s the new ultimate commuter hub. The Local Impact: While outside investment brings money into the economy, local first-time buyers are facing a "floor price" challenge, with the average FTB price now climbing to £180,670. Are you a "cross-border" mover seeking better value? Or a local feeling the squeeze from the outside competition? #WalesProperty #HousingMarket2026 #EnglandVsWales #Newport #Wrexham #PropertyInvestment #LTT #FirstTimeBuyerWales #MovingToWales

🚩Leaked report exposes turmoil at Merthyr Tydfil Council. A leaked document has revealed a local authority in crisis.The report paints a damning picture of a "failing" council. Financial Breaking Point: Warnings of a massive budget deficit threatening essential services. Governance Collapse:"Toxic" internal relationships and a total breakdown of trust between senior leaders. Critical concerns over the performance of Social Services and Education departments. Calls for the Welsh Government to step in as the council nears a state of total paralysis. #MerthyrTydfil #WalesNews #LocalGovernment #Merthyr

The Red Wall Crumbles? A Look at the Seismic Shift in Welsh Polling. richieandrogue.com/post/the-red-w…

Two Towns, One Constituency. A Tale of Two Wales? 30 miles apart in the new Sir Gaerfyrddin constituency, Llandovery and Llanelli couldn't look more different but both are demanding a better future ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections. Llandovery: The Picturesque Market Town Known for its independent shops and historic charm, the focus here is on preservation. Top concerns: Protecting the countryside from giant pylons and supporting the local farming industry. The struggle: A lack of affordable starter homes is forcing the next generation to look toward the cities. Llanelli: The Gritty Industrial Heart A town defined by its industrial roots and coastal views, but battling "stubborn deprivation." Top concerns: NHS dental access, hospital "corridor care," and potholed roads. Residents are struggling with soaring energy bills despite living in a region that produces massive amounts of clean energy. The Common Ground. Despite the wealth gap, people in both towns are feeling the pinch: High fuel and energy costs are hitting everyone’s pockets. Young people in both rural and urban areas feel locked out of the housing market. A shared sense of "grinning and bearing it" when it comes to politics. Why the 2026 Election is different: For the first time, a new proportional representation system means every single vote in Sir Gaerfyrddin will carry weight in choosing 6 MSs to represent the region. Will the new system bridge the gap between the rural "pretty" and the urban "gritty"? #Wales #SirGaerfyrddin #Llanelli #Llandovery #Senedd2026 #WelshPolitics #CostOfLiving

The "15-Minute" Mandate: Visionary Planning or a Control-and-Tax Trap? We can’t have a real conversation about urban planning in 2026 without addressing the elephant in the room: the "15-minute city" model (or "placemaking"), which is now firmly embedded in Welsh Government policy. As the political landscape fractures ahead of the Senedd elections in May, the debate is no longer about nice-to-have amenities; it's a critical clash over freedom, economics, and control. eate localised, "walkable" communities where everyday needs are within easy reach. They argue this is key to meeting Net Zero targets and creating healthier populations. The View from the Top (Policy Wales) From a planning perspective, the goal is commendable. But across Wales, this top-down vision is facing fierce and growing criticism. Here is why the skepticism is justified. The Infrastructure Deception: Proponents are pushing the 15-minute city principles at the same time that public transport networks across Wales are being slashed. Critics argue the government is imposing restrictions (like the default 20mph limits) before providing viable, affordable alternatives to the car. Economic Centralisation: By prioritising town centers, the "Town Centre First" policy risks strangling existing retail parks and businesses that are perfectly functional but car-reliant. Critics question if this is a tool for social engineering rather than genuine regeneration. Marginalising Rural Wales: What happens to communities in Powys, Ceredigion, or rural Gwynedd? The 15-minute city is an urban fantasy that risks cutting off rural areas and making car ownership (their only option) more expensive and difficult. The Fines and Surveillance Fear: The term itself has become synonymous with "climate lockdowns." While officials deny it, critical observers are right to worry that "active travel zones" will inevitably lead to traffic cameras, congestion charging, and fines for driving outside of your government-defined "zone." Is this policy about improving quality of life, or is it a framework for increasing state control over movement, under the guise of sustainability? Speak Up: Where do you stand? Is the 15-minute concept about giving you "local choice," or is it taking your freedom of choice away? #WalesPolitics #Senedd2026 #15MinuteCities #WalesTransport #PlanningDebate #RuralWales #SaveOurCars #FreedomToMove #WelshPolitics

THE WELSH LAND GRAB. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 The "Public Interest" is moving fast, but at what cost to landowners? Here is the 2026 breakdown of the "Land Grab" by the numbers: £0 "Hope Value": Under the new Planning (Wales) Bill 2026, councils can now seize land for social housing and schools at Existing Use Value. If your field is worth £15k as a farm but £1M for housing, you could lose 98% of that potential equity. 9,400 Affordable Homes: That’s the current "unmet need" cited by the Welsh Government to justify these aggressive new CPO powers. They aim to hit a 20,000-home target by December. 500+ Farmers in Court: A landmark High Court battle (April 2026) is currently deciding if private energy firms overstepped by using Section 172 notices to force entry onto private land for pylon surveys. 7.5% vs 2.5%: A major shift in payouts. Occupiers (tenants) now receive a 7.5% loss payment, while landowners have seen theirs slashed to 2.5% prioritising those who work the land over those who own it. £3 Billion Capital Spend: The 2025-26 Infrastructure Finance Plan is the largest in Welsh history, fueling the surge in land acquisitions for the South Wales Metro and green energy "Significant Infrastructure Projects" (SIPs). The state is saving millions, but it’s coming directly out of the pockets of Welsh landowners. Is this "Progress" or "Plunder"? #WalesNews #LandGrab #PropertyRights #Senedd2026 #FarmingWales #CPOFacts