Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Friday, February 13)
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Robert Dalling
Delays reported
In Abergavenny, there’s slow traffic on A40 Monk Street / Cross Street in both directions at Lower Castle Street / Cross Street (The Angel Hotel).
Travel time is ten minutes.
Robert Dalling
A5 blocked
In Denbighshire, the A5 is blocked in both directions due to an accident from the B5437 (Llidiart-y-parc) to The Berwyn Arms pub (Glyndyfrdwy).
Ellie Gosley
Court packed with 100 more watching online to honour ‘force of nature’ barrister
Tributes have been paid to leading barrister who died suddenly and unexpectedly.
The body of James Hartson, brother of former Wales international footballer John Hartson, was found at a house in Swansea on February 5. Hearings at Swansea Crown Court were suspended that day as news of his death reached the court.
An inquest into the death of the 53-year-old opened this week. Police have confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Dozens of barristers along with judges, solicitors, probation officers, and court staff packed into court one at Swansea Crown Court on Friday for a eulogy for Mr Hartson with more than 100 other people attending the gathering via videolink. Read more here
Ellie Gosley
Second inmate denies murdering disgraced former rock star Ian Watkins
Another prison inmate has denied murdering disgraced former Lostprophets fontman Ian Watkins. Watkins, 48, died after an alleged attack last October at HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences.
On Friday, Rashid Gedel, 25, referred to as Rico Gedel in court, became the second serving prisoner to plead not guilty to murdering Watkins. His co-accused Samuel Dodsworth, 43, denied the offence at a hearing in November, appearing on a video link from prison. Gedel has refused to attend previous hearings over the link, saying he wanted to appear in person.
He was brought to Leeds Crown Court for Friday’s hearing, where he pleaded not guilty to murder and possession of a “makeshift knife” in prison. Full story here
Ellie Gosley
Another crash shuts road in Bridgend
The A4063 northbound is closed due to an accident between Coytrahen (Coytrahen) and Llangynwyd (Llangynwyd).
This road was closed for a number of hours this morning due to an earlier crash but reopened around an hour ago.
Ellie Gosley
Road in Cardiff closed for emergency repairs
Lisvane Road in Cardiff is closed in both directions from Woodside Court to Chartwell Drive due to emergency repairs. Bus service 86 is being diverted, and there is also slow traffic in the area.
Ellie Gosley
Motorcyclist badly injured in crash on major city road
A motorcyclist is in hospital with potentially life-changing injuries following a collision on a major city road.
Emergency services were called to the serious crash between a car and a motorbike in Cowbridge Road East in Cardiff shortly before 6pm on Thursday evening.
South Wales Police said the collision occurred directly between the junctions of Wessex Street and Nesta Street near Victoria Park. Read more here
Ellie Gosley
Reform take seven-point lead in Wales with Plaid needing ‘rainbow coalition’ to govern, new poll says
A new poll has projected Reform UK could be the biggest party in Senedd after May’s election. The newly-released poll puts Reform UK ahead of Plaid Cymru by seven points and if it was reflected in the result it would give the party 36 seats with Plaid sitting behind on 26.
The voting intention poll, conducted by More in Common, is also disastrous for Labour – as many of the recent polls have been. The party would go from being the biggest party, and governing Wales, to be being third. Full story here
Ellie Gosley
Disruption on M48 Severn Bridge
There is one lane closed on the M48 Severn Bridge Eastbound between J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow) and J1 A403 (Aust) due to a broken down vehicle. Traffic is coping well.
Ellie Gosley
Met Office issues 17-hour weekend weather warning for whole of Wales
The Met Office has issued a 17-hour weather warning covering the whole of Wales after a sudden drop in temperatures. After weeks of wet weather, temperatures have dropped bringing brighter but wintry conditions to the Wales.
On Friday, there is a chance that many parts of Wales will see sleet as well as some snow over higher ground. You can see the areas which will see snow on weather maps here.
In light of this weather and the freezing conditions to follow, the Met Office has now issued a yellow warning for ice across the whole of Wales. Full details here.
Ellie Gosley
Latest Met Office weather maps show where snow will fall in Wales today
Many places in Wales will see sleet and snow today, Friday, February 13, as the wet weather makes way for colder conditions. Forecasters have hinted that a change is on the way after a particularly wet few weeks, with the unsettled conditions making way for brighter, albeit colder spells.
This drop in temperature means the risk of snow has returned. The Met Office has issued yellow snow and ice weather warnings due to the plummeting temperatures, covering parts of northern England and the majority of Scotland on Friday.
While there are no weather warnings in force for Wales yet, the cold snap is also expected to bring hill snow to much of the country – and there is a chance this snow could accumulate over higher ground. Mid and north Wales will see most of the snow, but the is a chance the wintry conditions could reach some parts of south Wales later this evening. See the forecast here
Ellie Gosley
Group of young boys launch ‘assault’ on man
South Wales Police has appealed for witnesses following reports of an assault. The force said:
On September 23, 2025, between 8:00-9:00pm, we received a report of an a assault which happened by the Central Garage on Pyle Road. The alleged assault involved a group of young boys assaulting a man.
If you saw anything or have any information that could help the investigation, please contact us. Officers specifically are interested in any information, dashcam, or CCTV footage around the above times. Please get in touch quoting reference 250030593.
Ellie Gosley
School shut after serious collision on major road
Emergency services are at the scene of a collision on a busy road in Bridgend. The A4063 Bridgend Road is currently closed in both directions between Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd and The Papermills due to the crash.
South Wales Police are at the scene, and are asking the pubic to avoid the area.
According to the Bridgend council website, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd is closed as a result of the accident and road closure. Follow our live updates here.
Ellie Gosley
Crash causing delays on major road in Bridgend
South Wales Police is at the scene of a collision on the A4063, Bridgend.
The road is currently closed in both directions between Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd and The Papermills
Ellie Gosley
Girl, 17, dies after collision involving three cars and pedestrian
A teenage girl has died following a crash on a busy Welsh road, it has been confirmed. The incident took place on the A4042 in Cwmbran at 12.25pm on Thursday. Police have said that the crash involved three cars and a pedestrian.
The pedestrian was a 17-year-old girl, from Caldicot, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Gwent Police said on Thursday evening the road between the Crown and Turnpike roundabouts is partially closed, with one lane heading north currently open.
Officers are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward to help with investigations. Full story here
Ellie Gosley
Today’s weather forecast
Colder with rain, sleet and hill snow. Drier Saturday. Here is the Met Office forecast for Wales today:
A cloudy end to the week with outbreaks of rain, falling as snow mainly over the hills, throughout much of the day. Some drier interludes possible into the late afternoon. Feeling cold with a brisk northeasterly wind developing. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
A damp end to the day with rain and hill snow clearing southwards. Drier overnight with clear spells for most by dawn. Cold with a widespread frost and icy stretches. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
Ellie Gosley
Good morning
Bore da and welcome to WalesOnline’s daily news blog.
The breaking news team is here to bring you all the latest news and updates today.
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