BusinessIn Wales

Menai Suspension Bridge
Public Sector & Government, Transport & Infrastructure

North Wales communities celebrate Menai Suspension Bridge 200th anniversary

North Wales communities celebrate Menai Suspension Bridge 200th anniversary North Wales communities celebrate Menai Suspension Bridge 200th anniversary max taylor – journalist The 30th of January 2026 marks 200 years since the opening of the world’s first modern suspension bridge. Menai suspension bridge is as practical as it is iconic, connecting the island of Anglesey to Wales’ mainland across the Menai strait. The bridge, designed by Scottish civil engineer Thomas Telford, serves as a faster route from Holyhead to London. Bangor University recently partnered with Menai Bridge Community Heritage Trust to host a public to celebrate the history and impact of the bridge while unveiling a plaque to mark its milestone anniversary. Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales paid homage to Telford, the first President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He said: “For two centuries, the Menai Suspension Bridge has been a lifeline for residents, a strategic gateway for our economy, and a celebrated landmark for Wales and the wider engineering profession. “This bicentenary is a celebration not only of the bridge itself but of the generations of engineers, craftspeople, inspectors, and workers who have cared for it. “The bicentenary plaque being unveiled today honours both the genius of Telford and the continuing engineering effort required to protect this historic asset. “Maintaining the bridge today and safeguarding it for future generations is our responsibility.  Our priority has always been and remains to safeguard this iconic bridge for the future. “We continue to invest in the maintenance and preservation of the Menai Suspension Bridge.  “Phase Two works are ongoing, with UK Highways A55 Ltd and their contractors undertaking extensive inspection, strengthening, and refurbishment activity to ensure the structure’s long-term safety and performance.” Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.  Want more from Businessin Wales? Why not follow us on our socials Linkedin X Instagram TikTok Listen to the Businessin Wales podcast YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts

Wales Recycling
Sustainability & Environment

new data shows Wales’ recycling rates continues to climb

new data shows Wales’ recycling rates continues to climb new data shows Wales’ recycling rates continues to climb max taylor- journalist Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.  New figures have shown that Wales is headed in the right direction to become a zero-waste nation. Data released today reveals an increase in the recycling rate by 1.8% from 2023/24 to 2024/25. Now at 68.4%, this rate has seen a substantial increase since devolution began, sitting at just 5%. These statistics are the first to have been published annually since new recycling measures were put in place for Wales.  These measures required all workplaces across business, public and third sectors to separate essential recyclable materials. This has resulted in over 8 tonnes of recyclable materials being collected by local authorities from these workplaces, a 42% increase from the previous year.  This is in direct correlation with the decrease of residual waste, as 15.8% less waste has been collected from workplaces.   Only 0.7% of waste was disposed through landfill over the course of 2024/25 compared to 95% pre-devolution. These efforts have been recognised in Eunomia Research and Consulting’s 2024 report which ranked Wales as the world’s second-best recycling nation, narrowly behind Austria. In 2024-2025 over 90% of Welsh local authorities reported that their recycling waste increased form the previous year, with over half of these authorities also hitting their target of 70% recycled waste. Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies said: “We continue to build on Wales’ already world class recycling. This shows the huge shift in attitudes over the last few decades; recycling is now a part of who we are as a nation. “We’ve backed our commitment with over £1bn of investment since devolution which has seen recycling rates increase exponentially ever since. “I’m proud of every person in Wales who has played their part in getting us to where we are today – in our homes and now in our workplaces too. Thank you for joining this collective effort. “Our recycling track record is something to be proud of as we continue taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency and grow the green economy. “But let’s not be complacent. Being number one in the world for recycling is within our grasp if we keep up the momentum.” Want more from Businessin Wales? Why not follow us on our socials Linkedin X Instagram TikTok Listen to the Businessin Wales podcast YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts

Welsh Coal
Public Sector & Government, Sustainability & Environment

£80 million fund enables welsh coal tips to start vital work

£80 million fund enables welsh coal tips to start vital work £80 million fund enables welsh coal tips to start vital work Max Taylor – Journalist Over 400 coal tips in Wales are now able to deliver essential maintenance work and larger projects thanks to funding from a new multi-year grant scheme Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister, has announced that local authorities and Natural Resources Wales are now in a position to produce works that range from minor maintenance to larger works. Combining this grant with the UK government’s commitment of £143 million over the course of three years, a total of over £230 million has been delegated to coal tip safety in Wales.  10 local authorities as well as National Resources Wales will receive funding until the end of 2029/30 financial year for projects on tip sites.  These include Pen Yr Englyn which will receive £3.8 million, Nant Yr Odon which is set to receive the highest in £7 million and more in Torfaen and Rhondda Cynon Taf.  The Welsh Local Government Association are also running a pilot environmental engineering placement scheme which has provided six placements across local authorities so far.  This scheme provides work experience in flood risk management and remediation work at mines.  Irranca-Davies said: “This record investment marks a significant milestone in our commitment to coal tip safety. The multiyear approach is something I have long called for – it gives the certainty that local authorities and Natural Resources Wales need to plan and deliver bigger and more complex remediation projects. “This investment does more than make our communities safer. It is huge investment in coalfield communities, growing the economy and creating jobs in many of the places that need them most. “Wales once developed mining expertise that was exported throughout the world – now we have the opportunity to lead again, this time in dealing with our mining legacy during a climate emergency.” Anthony Hunt, Torfaen Council Leader Councillor said: “This investment is great news – it will help to us realise our ambitions to improve safety at the site, which is valued by the local community. The project will also have wider benefits in terms of protecting important biodiversity and alleviating the risk of flooding in the local area. “A lot of towns in Wales grew up around the coal mining industry and it’s right that these communities are protected for future generations. This is a welcome sign of all levels of Government working together to achieve that aim.” Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.  Want more from Businessin Wales? Why not follow us on our socials Linkedin X Instagram TikTok Listen to the Businessin Wales podcast YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts

Transport & Infrastructure

‘Our Rhyl’ calls for new board members ahead of £20 million transformation plan

‘Our Rhyl’ calls for new board members ahead of £20 million transformation plan ‘Our Rhyl’ calls for new board members ahead of £20 million transformation plan Max Taylor – Journalist Change is coming to Rhyl and ‘Our Rhyl’ is looking for people of the community to be involved. The community-led initiative are opening applications for residents of Rhyl to apply to who, if accepted,  will be involved in the £20 million project coming to the town over the next 10 years.   ‘Ein/Our Rhyl’ is recruiting new Board members who have relevant skills and experience and are passionate about improving Rhyl. Locals are also being invited to register for involvement through Action Groups who are expected to form later this year and will specialise in different sectors across the project.  Chair of ‘Ein/Our Rhyl’,Craig Sparrow, said: “Rhyl is at a really important moment. There is a strong momentum following nine months of hard work and a real appetite to collaborate. We want to make sure the people guiding this plan reflect the town and its communities. “We are keen to hear from people with experience in community groups, faith organisation, education, tourism, culture, business, sport and the third sector. “Being a part of Our Rhyl is about bringing your ideas and understanding of the town to the table and helping turn that into action. “We know there is a lot of talent and commitment in Rhyl and only so many Board seats. That is why Action Groups are so important. They give people a chance to focus on specific themes, contribute their skills and help shape delivery without taking on a full Board role. “These groups will be central to turning plans into reality. They are for people who want to roll up their sleeves and be part of making change happen. “If you care about Rhyl and believe its future should be decided by the community I would encourage you to come forward.” Responsibilities for Board members include four annual meetings as well occasional workshops and other meetings.  Applications for Board positions are open until midday of February 11th. Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.  Want more from Businessin Wales? Why not follow us on our socials Linkedin X Instagram TikTok Listen to the Businessin Wales podcast YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts

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