Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Monday, March 31) (2025)

More details on the fire

Grass fires have been rife once more as March draws to a close with blazes near on the Garth Hilltop overlooking Cardiff and Sugar Loaf Mountain outside Abergavenny as well as near Hirwaun in Rhondda Cynon Taff. A strip of the popular hill walk, the Garth, was alight from late afternoon, March 31, and could be seen from Taff's Well and Gwaelod y Garth and Pentyrch side as well as smoke being visible from Tonteg and Church Village, just outside Pontypridd.

Read more, here.

Woman washed knife in sink after 'stabbing partner to death'

The trial of a woman who denies murdering her partner by plunging a knife into his chest has begun. Joanna Katarzyna Wronska, 52, of Pentre Gwyn, Wrexham has pleaded not guilty to killing Marcin Koziol.

Wronksa is accused of stabbing Mr Koziol, 40, at a flat in Pentre Gwyn, and then washing the knife in a sink. You can read more, here.

Firefighters battle third grass fire

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have said they are "in attendance and dealing with" a grass fire on Sugar Loaf Mountain, Abergavenny.

Mist and fog due tomorrow morning

The Met Office is advising people to look out for a few mist and fog patches first thing Tuesday morning, writing on X that these will gradually lift leaving a fine morning for most.

Watch out for a few mist and fog patches first thing Tuesday morning

These will gradually lift leaving a fine morning for most pic.twitter.com/naxHzZsKql

— Met Office (@metoffice) March 31, 2025

Police 'concerned' for missing man

A 28-year-old man has been reported as missing from the Carmarthen area. He was last seen earlier today at 11am, and the South Wales Police is urging people to come forward if they think they might be able to help.

A spokesperson said: "We are concerned for the welfare of 28-year-old Liam, reported missing from the Carmarthen area this morning (Monday March 31).

"Liam was last seen at approximately 11am in the Burry Port area. He is described as approximately 6ft inches tall, of stocky build, with short dark brown hair and a black beard. He was last seen wearing black Adidas trousers and a black jacket.

"Do you have information that might help us find him? Please, let us know immediately. Quote reference 35 of March 31th."

This is how much council tax will go up by in every part of Wales

Council tax is going up in all of Wales' 22 local authority areas. The area with the highest rate raise is Ceredigion, while the lowest is in Bridgend. Authorities say the tough, ongoing financial climate means they have no choice but to put council tax up, although a number of authorities were able to reduce the amount they initially forecast once the Welsh Government published its budget. You can read the full story here.

Traffic cleared after crash in Newport

Traffic has reportedly cleared following a multi-vehicle accident brought traffic to a standstill near Newport on the M4 Eastbound at J24 (A449, Coldra) due to a multi-vehicle accident, causing long delays. Congestion previously stretched back to J25 (Caerleon).

Firefighters battle two large grass fires

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has said they are "aware and in attendance at two large grass fires" at Garth Hill, Gwaelod Y Garth & Penmoelallt Farm, Hirwaun. The emergency services have been contacted for more information.

#SWFRS are aware and in attendance at 2 large grass fires - Garth Hill, Gwaelod Y Garth & Penmoelallt Farm, Hirwaun. #ldk pic.twitter.com/vZuN8s8Btl

— South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (@SWFireandRescue) March 31, 2025

'Driest March' for decades in Wales according to BBC weatherman

Welsh meteorologist Derek Brockway says it has been the 'driest March' for a number of years. Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, the BBC weatherman said: "In Wales, this March has been the driest since at least 1961! Possibly 1944 but will know more tomorrow with more data from the Met Office.

"More dry and sunny weather to come in April. Breezy and warmer for a while this week with cool nights."

Accident in Newport

All traffic is currently being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to multi-vehicle accident on M4 Eastbound at J24 A449 (Coldra), according to the traffic monitoring site Inrix.

Congestion to J25 (Caerleon). The opposite side is also congested due to the onlookers back to J23A (Magor Services).

Police continue search for missing man

Police officers in Cardiff are continuing to appeal for information which could help them Mark Kinson, who has been missing for two months. Mark, 52, was last seen on Friday January 31, in Llanrumney.

What to do about higher UV levels

The Met Office has shared a video addressing what to do to protect yourself from higher UV levels, noting: "Spring sunshine is something many of us look forward to, but we can sometimes see higher levels of UV With UV levels higher than we’ve been used to over winter, it can lead to sunburn.

"Here's some advice from NHS UK on how to enjoy the sunshine safely."

Spring sunshine is something many of us look forward to, but we can sometimes see higher levels of UV

With UV levels higher than we’ve been used to over winter, it can lead to sunburn

Here's some advice from @NHSuk on how to enjoy the sunshine safely: https://t.co/Yb8DOWqwzo pic.twitter.com/gz4UlNy2C3

— Met Office (@metoffice) March 31, 2025

'Congestion likely' due to a large funeral taking place

South Wales Police are warning people to expect some heavy traffic in some areas, noting: "Due to a large funeral taking place in Seven Sisters, Neath Port Talbot this afternoon, congestion is likely on roads between 1:30-3:30pm.

"Please consider alternative travel routes during this time in order to help reduce congestion in the area."

Queuing traffic on A48 in Newport

There's currently queuing traffic on A48 outbound at M4 J28 / A467 Forge Road (Tredegar Park) in Newport.

Travel time is around 10 minutes.

The charity that doesn't guarantee its reps a minimum wage

It's been almost two years since our investigations editor, Conor Gogarty, went undercover with a hidden camera and got a job as a door-to-door charity rep for a mysterious company in Cardiff.

After we revealed it was exploiting people, the office shut down, and we would later show similar cult-like methods were being used on a much wider scale — but recent events cast doubt over how much the charity sector has really learned.

Read Conor's latest investigation here.

Cardiff City star's brother killed at 30 in Thai boxing match

The brother of Cardiff City player Andy Rinomhota has tragically died at the age of 30 after reportedly collapsing in the wake of his first Muay Thai fight in Thailand.

Joe Rinomhota, brother of Bluebirds star Andy, was making his debut at the Samui International Muay Thai Stadium, in Koh Samui, Surant Thani province on Friday night.

Read more here.

French far-right political leader Marine Le Pen found guilty of embezzling EU funds

The French far-right political leader, Marine Le Pen, has been found guilty of embezzling EU funds.

The politician has also been banned from public office for five years, which means she can not run in the 2027 French presidential election, reports BBC News.

She was found guilty of embezzling European funds to finance her French far-right National Rally (RN) party. The politician left the courtroom as the judge handed down details of her sentence.

She has also been given a prison sentence, but according to the BBC, it is not yet clear if she'll spend time in jail.

New policy on dogs on beaches planned this summer

People who take dogs on beaches where they are banned may be offered a warning rather than a fine this summer. The trial is being considered in Pembrokeshire with the aim of prioritising "education over enforcement".

Read more here.

Road remains closed in Pontardawe following collision

A road remains closed in Pontardawe following a collision on Sunday evening.

South Wales Police confirmed this morning that their officers are investigating a serious road traffic collision which happened on Abernant Road, Cwmgors after 10pm on Sunday, March 30 involving two cars.

The road remains closed.

Rolling road block and emergency repairs on A483 in Wrexham

In north Wales, there is a rolling road block and emergency repairs on A483 in both directions between J3 A5152 Wrexham Road (Croesfoel) and J4 A525 (Coedpoeth) in Wrexham this morning.

According to Inrix, traffic is coping well.

Huge change to bus services planned in Wales

Major changes are set to be introduced in how buses are run in Wales. A new Bill is expected to be laid in the Senedd on Monday, March 31, which could see bus services in Wales planned and coordinated on a national level.

Read more here.

Congestion on M4 near Cardiff

There's currently congestion on the M4 eastbound between J34 Miskin and J33 Cardiff West this morning.

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

Traffic returned to normal following earlier accident on M48

Traffic has now returned to normal following an earlier accident on the M48 Severn Bridge Eastbound from J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow) to J1 A403 (Aust) in Monmouthshire.

As mentioned previously, all lanes have been re-opened following a brief hold.

Slow traffic following earlier accident on M48 in Monmouthshire

There is slow traffic due to earlier accident on M48 Severn Bridge Eastbound from J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow) to J1 A403 (Aust) in Monmouthshire.

All lanes have been re-opened following a brief hold, according to traffic monitoring service Inrix.

Road reopened following closure

Gwent Police has confirmed that the A449 has reopened.

Previously the road was closed between Coldra and Usk. Diversions were in place, motorists were asked to avoid the area if possible and find alternative routes for their journey.

As of 5.59am, the police force has confirmed the road is now reopened.

Met Office forecast for Wales

It will be dry and fine with plenty of sunshine today, according to the Met Office.

Here's the full forecast for Wales today:

Chilly at first with early morning mist, fog and low cloud soon clearing to leave another fine day. Plenty of warm sunshine for all, with light winds across the country. Maximum temperature 15 °C."

Good morning

Bore da and 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.

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