Professor Stuart Cole finds powerful arguments for more railway stations in Wales in a new report

We usually think of railways and railway stations as places to catch trains. And so they are. They provide us in parts of Wales with an alternative to the motor car particularly for longer journeys; and within the UK where air travel options are few.

Train travel has of course to be accessible, convenient and at an acceptable price to play a more socioeconomic role. It can support inward investment in jobs, our tourism industry (vitally important to Wales) and support housing in relation to work and leisure.

This role of railway stations is set out in a recent report by Development Economics: Growing Places – Railway Stations: Engines of Economic Growth. It illustrates the impact of Great Western main line stations including Carmarthen, a medium size station in terms of passenger numbers handling nearly half-a-million entries and exits annually.

Carmarthen is a historic town with a wide catchment area with a growing rail passenger market (21.5% up on pre-Covid levels).

Also relevant to the south Wales context and considered in the report are Moreton-in-Marsh and Okehampton railway stations which are not dissimilar to Llandrindod or Llandovery on the Heart of Wales Line (HoWL).

Bristol Parkway, parallels proposals for a new station at Felindre on the Swansea District Line (SDL) north of Swansea at M4 junction 46.

The six new stations on the main line between Cardiff and Newport proposed in the Burns Report for south Wales commuter services also fall into the type of stations suggested in the Development Economics report.

This report highlights the expected future developments, in housing or offices, near stations particularly where land is available, as at Felindre.

High frequency reliable train services at Bristol Parkway have attracted over 4,000 houses to date and a further 12,000 expected over the next 10 years.

Employment generated at the 12 stations analysed in the report has reached 3,600 over the past five years and estimates of 20,000 by 2040.

Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds has features not dissimilar to those of Carmarthen and Llandrindod with historic origins and mid-nineteenth century railway stations.

They all have tourism and agriculture as their economic core.

Good train services and modernised comfortable railway stations will make stations on the HoWL and those west of Swansea more attractive to longer distance visitors from Manchester, London and south-east Wales.

The development of 4,000 houses at Newquay is being significantly enhanced by the Mid-Cornwall Metro (based on heavy rail) and an upgraded Newquay station.

“Strengthening rail connections will open up new opportunities for residents and businesses, attract investment and re-enforce Cornwall’s position as a well-connected and vibrant place to live and work.

Developments such as the Newquay suburban site will support local business, encourage sustainable travel and create a thriving local economy” is the view of the Duchy of Cornwall who are behind the scheme.

This column has often identified the contribution of good transport connections to inward investment. If enhanced rail services are seen as essential in providing greener, more reliable travel choices and stronger links to jobs, education and leisure across south west England then surely this also applies to Wales.

While the scale at Felindre and the six stations in south-east Wales may not quite match the 2.25 million passengers at Bristol Parkway, the principles are the same. There are therefore parallels to be drawn with railway station developments in south Wales.

Railway stations can provide faster home/business to business movements in particular to city centres.

Bristol Parkway provides a parallel to the proposed (SDL) West Wales/Swansea North Parkway station at Felindre as an access point from Swansea and west Wales into the Cardiff jobs market avoiding the congested M4 to the capital.

Adjacent government-owned land on the old Felindre tinplate works site can provide for housing (and a source of commuters) with local economic benefits though household expenditure and employment.

Felindre Parkway and the enhanced SDL route as the Swansea Metro (using heavy rail) will provide a more efficient means of reaching tourism centres in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire saving up to 22 minutes in rail journey times.

The arguments made in the Development Economics report show the importance of railways services and stations in economic development and consequently increased jobs and wealth.

These arguments have been put forward in my Wales in Motion column many times particularly in relation to rural, less densely inhabited parts of Wales and the electrification of the north Wales and south Wales main lines.

• Professor Stuart Cole CBE is Emeritus Professor of Transport (Economics and Policy), University of South Wales.

The Prime Minister has vowed to act and said he will do everything he can to help

Andy Burnham says he wants to tackle two big ‘rip-offs’ people in Britain are ‘sick and tired of’. The Prime Minister is vowing to provide “everyday fixes” for rising bills.

The Prime Minister said: “I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps. Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles like this are just part of life. I don’t think that’s right, especially when the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives.”

On Monday, he will accelerate plans to tackle “subscription traps” by requiring companies to make it easier to cancel subscriptions and provide more information about costs up-front rather than quietly auto-renewing them at a higher price. The changes, announced in April, had been expected to come into force next spring, but Mr Burnham will bring their introduction forward to January.

He will also launch a consultation on adding deceptive discount offers to the Competition and Markets Authority’s list of banned practices. This would make it easier for the watchdog to punish firms that engage in practices such as artificially inflating prices and then immediately offering a “discount” to make a product look much better value than it is.

The Prime Minister intends to spend much of the rest of August travelling the country asking the public how the Government can improve their lives. Officials have said he will be in “listening mode”, with a focus on tackling the cost of living and improving local high streets. Mr Burnham is expected to announce a series of “everyday fixes” to reduce costs, promising to “pull every single lever we can to provide people with some room to breathe on the cost of living”.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, welcomed the proposals, saying subscription traps and deceptive discounts were “a widespread problem”. Citizens Advice has previously found 26% of UK adults had accidentally taken out a subscription in a single year, with the Government saying its action on subscriptions could save households £14 per month.

Further announcements are expected over the summer, with the Prime Minister describing Monday’s proposals as “just the start”. Opposition figures have criticised his August plans as a “vanity tour” offering only “tinkering”, and urged him to implement broader tax cuts.

Mr Burnham’s summer tour follows his pledge on his first day in office to give the public “breathing space” on bills. In his first week in Downing Street, he announced cuts to VAT on household energy bills and a £2 cap on bus fares as immediate measures to tackle the cost of living.

But rising costs remain a major issue for the public as the fallout from the Iran war keeps inflation higher than expected. A poll published by Ipsos at the end of July found 30% of people listed the economy as a major concern while 22% listed inflation or prices specifically.

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “Andy Burnham has already run out of ideas. The cost of living didn’t become a problem last week, so you have to ask why it has taken Labour so long to enact legislation passed by the previous government.

“Labour’s tax hikes have sent costs soaring for hardworking families and destroyed jobs. Consultations and reheated measures won’t make up for that.”

Top police officers warned at the end of last year how the Government’s controversial early release plans would delight offenders and trigger a crimewave.

Today, we have further evidence of just how disastrous Labour’s policy is likely to be.

Research from the Conservatives – based on official data – now predicts inmates released early from jail after serving as little as one third of their sentences will go on to commit a staggering 89,000 new crimes by 2029.

The politician responsible for this mess is Shabana Mahmood, one of a handful of senior ministers to remain in their posts after Andy Burnham’s ‘Black T-shirt Coup’.

But this is not Mahmood’s only major blunder. As I shall explain, her reverse ‘Midas touch’ sees almost everything she gets her hands on implode.

Currently, the early release programme – dubbed a namby-pamby ‘get out of jail free card’ by its critics – is perhaps the most urgent issue. And it was entirely drawn up by Ms Mahmood in her previous role as Justice Secretary.

Last September, just a couple of days before she was moved to the Home Office by then-PM Sir Keir Starmer, she unveiled the early release scheme in a Parliamentary Bill – leaving her successor David Lammy with the dirty work of getting it on to the Statute Book.

The spineless scheme was dressed up as essential reform to avoid a collapse in the prison system. Now that the first releases are just three weeks away, it has exploded into a major crisis for a Labour Party seen by some – in an inversion of Tony Blair’s famous mantra – as ‘soft on crime, soft on the causes of crime’.

Lissie Harper, the widow of Andrew Harper, has movingly described the heartbreak of learning that two of her husband’s smirking killers are due to be freed early

And one critic in particular has emerged as a powerful opponent.

The widow of Andrew Harper, the police officer hideously killed while responding to a report of a stolen quad bike in Berkshire seven years ago, has relentlessly castigated Labour over its release policy.

Lissie Harper has movingly described the heartbreak of learning that two of her husband’s smirking killers are due to be freed early.

Ms Mahmood has created a nightmare policy for Mr Burnham that Labour’s opponents will exploit ruthlessly, as ever-more egregious criminals are let out in monthly waves until next summer. Those on shorter sentences will be eligible first, working upwards to those serving 12 years or more. In other words, the criminals being set loose will become progressively more dangerous as times goes on. Victims and the wider public will be increasingly horrified.

But if Ms Mahmood’s masterplan at the Ministry of Justice wasn’t bad enough, her efforts since being appointed as Home Secretary are even worse – not least her abject failure to tackle the menace of small boats.

Ms Mahmood described a £662million beach patrols deal with the French government, signed in April, as a ‘landmark agreement’ that would ‘really arm us to go after the people-smugglers’. But last month Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp visited the French coastline and saw gendarmes standing idly by as migrants boarded dinghies to England. Yesterday similar scenes were replayed on other French beaches.

Despite these glaring shortcomings, captured on film, the Home Office insisted last week that its plan was working. One official source even claimed that ‘our work is beginning to bear fruit’ as they noted a 43 per cent drop in Channel arrivals so far this year compared with last.

Yet it is far from clear whether by the end of the year the total will be significantly smaller than 2025’s.

Meanwhile, traffickers are plotting ever more devious ways to get around any measures Britain and France put in place, including the use of deathtrap ‘mega dinghies’ with more than 170 migrants aboard.

And Ms Mahmood has blocked all progress reports on her eye-catching policy, announced in March, to hand failed asylum-seeker families up to £40,000 to go home voluntarily.

Since then her department has been asked multiple times by the Daily Mail how many families have been offered the cash, how many have accepted and how much has it cost the British taxpayer.

All these questions have been stonewalled, suggesting that something has gone awfully wrong with the policy.

With all these problems mounting up, Mr Burnham’s decision to retain Ms Mahmood at the Home Office may not be the vote of confidence it at first appears.

If by the start of next year, say, she has failed to get a grip on small boats, it will be far easier for the PM to sack a more centrist figure from the Starmer era than if he had installed one of his own favourites.

With so many calamities to her name already, there is a strong chance this woeful Home Secretary will be out of the door when the first Burnham reshuffle arrives.

It now appears both GMP and GMFRS are at the scene of this incident. Its nature remains unconfirmed at this stage, but a spokesperson for firefighters issued a statement on X a few moments ago.

It said: “ROAD CLOSED

” Firefighters are currently dealing with an incident at Junction 16 of the M60 (Clifton Interchange). A full road closure is now in place by GMP covering the bridge on the A666.

“The M60 anticlockwise slip roads at this junction are also heavily impacted.

“Heavy traffic and delays are building in the area. Please avoid the A666 crossover and Junction 16 if possible, and seek alternative routes.”

By DAILY MAIL COMMENT

Published: 00:06 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 01:07 BST, 10 August 2026

The six-bedroom property on Lindisfarne Road in Jesmond reportedly housed midfielder Sandro Tonali during his time with the club, among other players over the years.

Set behind electric gates and a period Edwardian façade, the home features an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym and games room.

(Image: Sanderson Young)

The lower ground floor includes an impressive leisure suite with an eight-person Jacuzzi, a cocktail bar, and direct access to landscaped gardens.

Located just off Osborne Road and adjacent to Jesmond Dene, the property blends Edwardian character with striking modern architecture.

(Image: Sanderson Young)

Acquired by its current owners since 2007, the house was extensively remodelled by architect Bill Hopper, who transformed the rear elevation with dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing and clean, modern lines.

The heart of the home is an open-plan kitchen, dining, and family room.

(Image: Sanderson Young)

Full-height sliding glass doors open onto south-facing limestone terraces, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living space.

The kitchen features bespoke Poggenpohl cabinetry and top-end Gaggenau and Miele appliances.

Reception rooms include a formal drawing room with walnut cabinetry and a contemporary fireplace, a garden room, a family lounge, and a professionally designed study.

(Image: Sanderson Young)

Bedroom accommodation is arranged across the first and second floors, with six en-suite bedrooms.

The principal suite includes a dressing room, a luxury bathroom, and garden views.

The landscaped gardens are among Jesmond’s largest and most private.

They feature terraces, extensive lawns, specimen trees, ornamental gardens, and a historic “Secret Garden” area.

Secure gated parking and an integral garage complete the offering.

By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 00:18 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 00:47 BST, 10 August 2026

Margaret Thatcher backed an extraordinary secret plan to wipe out South America’s cocaine crops by unleashing swarms of leaf-eating moths over drug cartel plantations, newly released files reveal.

The scheme, developed during the height of Britain’s war on drugs, would have seen thousands of insects bred by scientists at Porton Down in Wiltshire and air-dropped from helicopters over coca fields in Peru.

Government papers released by the National Archives show Thatcher’s administration spent around £100,000 exploring the idea in a bid to curb the flow of the Class A drug reaching Britain.

At the centre of the plan was Eloria noyesi, a species of moth whose larvae feed almost exclusively on coca leaves, the raw ingredient used to produce cocaine.

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Unlike most insects, the moth can consume coca leaves safely and process the chemicals without suffering any ill effects.

Officials believed the insect could provide a cheap and effective biological weapon against powerful drug trafficking organisations operating across Peru.

Documents from 1989 show military scientists were tasked with investigating ways to breed the moths in huge numbers before releasing them over illicit plantations.

According to Foreign Office briefings, the proposal was inspired by a naturally occurring infestation that devastated coca crops near the Peruvian city of Tarapoto between 1987 and 1988.

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Margaret Thatcher backed a secret plan to wipe out South America’s cocaine crops by unleashing swarms of leaf-eating moths over drug cartel plantations, newly-released files reveal

A DEA agent stands with a blindfolded prisoner following the agency’s raid on a cocaine lab in the Peruvian jungle

An anti-narcotics policeman lifts a bag of cocaine captured during an anti-drug operation in connection with the Cali drug cartel in Lima, Peru on August 27, 1993

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Officials noted that ‘unprecedented swarms’ of the moth had destroyed around 2,000 hectares of illegal coca cultivation, causing estimated losses of more than $37million for traffickers.

The success prompted Peruvian authorities to seek British expertise in developing a mass-rearing programme that could be operated by relatively inexperienced staff.

The files show Thatcher personally supported further investigation of the project and considered the idea ‘sufficiently interesting to merit being pursued’.

However, concerns soon emerged over its effectiveness and the possible environmental consequences.

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The Home Office reportedly concluded that while the scheme appeared technically feasible, any impact on cocaine production would only be temporary.

By the end of 1989, ministers feared that any leak could jeopardise the operation and potentially endanger those involved.

As a result, the brazen plan to fight drug cartels with weaponised moths never progressed beyond the drawing board.

When Mathipa was assigned to the case a month later, he issued a subpoena to special forces to force them to hand over full details of this alleged training exercise and all the personnel involved.

When access to these documents was finally promised, three months later, Mathipa had a premonition that he would be murdered – according to Brig Paulina Sekgobela, his commanding officer.

“When [Mathipa] left my office he said: ‘Brigadier, you know, these people – they are going to kill me. I’m going to die’,” she told the BBC.

On the day Mathipa was killed, he was phoned by a man calling himself Tebogo, who claimed he had information on the case for the detective – according to Mathipa’s daughter Basetsana, who was home with him at the time.

Mathipa and Tebogo arranged to meet at a petrol station in Pretoria.

When Tebogo failed to show, Mathipa drove away again, along the highway.

He was killed while driving, by rounds fired from high-velocity weapons which special forces would have had access to, according to South African police.

And footage from motorway toll gantries, police say, shows one of the occupants of the black BMW, which tailed Mathipa moments before his murder, was Maj Sunnybooi Wambi.

This car, like the three vehicles connected with Abadigga’s disappearance at the mall, was registered to PCT, they add.

New detectives were assigned to the case after Mathipa’s death, triggering a chilling message from special forces, that made its way to the police’s Criminal Intelligence division.

Police say it warned that, however many investigating officers were assigned to the case, “we will kill all of them”.

Twelve members of the South African military have been arrested in total, including Lt Col Sunnybooi Wambi, and the current head of South Africa’s special forces, Brig Gen Solomon Lechoenyo – both promoted to these positions since police first started investigating their roles in the case.

The 12 have been variously charged with the abduction and murder of Abadigga and Abotese, the murder of Mathipa, fraud, and obstruction.

All deny all charges and they were initially released on bail. But six of them later had their bail revoked, and were ordered to turn themselves in to custody.

Three of the six, including Wambi, have been charged with both Mathipa’s murder, and Abotese’s abduction and murder.

New photos show the social media stars, and new parents, relaxing with their family at home

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Molly-Mae Hague has shared new photos with her newborn son, just after her partner faced an online backlash for things he said about Kim Kardashian.

Molly-Mae, 27, and her 27-year-old partner boxer Tommy Fury, have two kids, Bambi and Midas. She shared a snapshot of their lives with newborn Midas, who was born in June. In the pictures, shared on Instagram, she showed off her and Midas’ summer outfits – a yellow vest and black jeans for Molly-Mae and a blue onesie and white top for Midas.

In another, Midas was in a baby chair while Molly-Mae crouched beside him in blue jeans and a white vest. The photographs were taken in the mirror in Molly-Mae’s dressing room, reports the Mirror.

This came just after Tommy hit out at Kim Kardashian’s parenting arrangement, catching him in a media storm. The US reality star has four children with ex Kanye West, and has a team of 10 staff to help raise them. On an episode the podcast Tommy hosts with his dad John, the elder Fury said: “If you can’t look after these kids yourself, don’t have them.”

While Tommy first said they didn’t know the full story, he added: “I don’t understand people who just dump the kids with nannies and mannies all day…”

This caused a backlash, as it was revealed he and Molly-Mae also have help with raising their children. Tommy said: “I’m all for having some help on board and help you out – me and Molly, we have help.

“But we’re with Bambi every day, all day; it’s only if I’ve got to go on a call or Molly’s on a call or we’ve got to shoot out. The baby’s looked after all the time.”

Some listeners disagreed with Tommy’s statements, saying he didn’t understand the “mental load of being the primary caregiver” and claiming the only difference between him and Kim was he was getting help from Molly-Mae’s family for “free”. One said: “A man with a full time nanny judging a woman with a full time nanny!”

Others defended Kim’s. They pointed to her role as a TV star, both in reality television and as an actress, her businesses and her law studies, saying: “Do you realise how many jobs she has? That’s why.”

READ MORE: Family of tragic Minnie Merriman ‘left with nothing’ as they try to ‘rebuild life’

READ MORE: Fake doctor accused of conning patients out of thousands of pounds at bogus clinics

Another said: “Because it’s a form of childcare like a nursery or childminder for people who have to work.” A third added: “Leave the woman alone. I can do with 15 nannies as a busy working mother. Not easy. We need and can do with the help. Men judging a hard working business woman.”

It has previously been reported that Kim has an extensive childcare operation in place to help her balance raising her children with her huge business commitments. It has been claimed her nannies work on a rotation, with childcare available seven days a week, with full overnight support in place.

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Confidence meets compassion today, as a powerful Leo line-up encourages bold ideas, while the Moon’s move into Cancer reminds us not to ignore our feelings along the way.

At the same time, Mercury’s connection with wound-healer Chiron creates tension between what we say and our deeper insecurities.

Investigating the root of this self-doubt is a key step towards vanquishing it — especially for Gemini, Taurus and Virgo.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Monday August 10, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

With Mercury newly arrived in the most expressive part of your chart, you’ve a fabulous opportunity to showcase your personal charisma. So, why might it be that some resistance can come up inside of you? This could be Chiron, subtly connecting your thinking to any perceived lack of self-worth. Don’t dismiss this, but know, this apart, you can dazzle people now

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

The Moon is very supportive of you today, helping you to align your thinking and feeling. This is helpful for your personal situation, as you can more easily attune to others. So why might you let someone’s comment disturb your peace of mind? Well, your sense of self could be tested by this remark; however, it’s what you feel about yourself that really counts.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Ever since Chiron moved into Taurus in mid-June, this has been asking you to value your vulnerabilities. As the zodiac’s arch communicator and being quick, agile and smart, fears and anxieties can be concealed by your razor-sharp reflexes, fast pivots, and sense of fun. However, today, try not to fend off someone or mask in this way. Celebrate the inner you, too.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

The Moon in your sign heightens your sensitivity but reminds you just how good your instincts can be. Thinker Mercury’s awkward angle to Chiron suggests someone in authority or a professional matter could momentarily test your confidence. If so, don’t dwell on this too much. Trust your judgement, be composed, and believe your natural gifts will shine through.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Mercury’s arrival in your sign is sharpening your wit and desire to express your ideas. However, its link today to Chiron hints that you could question whether others truly appreciate your ideas. Resist the temptation to overcompensate or seek reassurance. This is a fleeting influence, so know that for the next two weeks, the celestial stage really can be yours

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Over the next fortnight, your guide, Mercury, encourages some peaceful contemplation. This need for inner zen could now be challenged, if briefly, by its link to teacher Chiron. This asks you to consider whether old beliefs are limiting what you think you can achieve. So, if doubts surface, don’t see them as facts but as an opportunity to update your outlook.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Friends and associates can prove especially supportive today, but Mercury’s square to Chiron suggests someone may unintentionally touch on a sensitive subject. Your need for equilibrium is being heightened by your ruler Venus’s arrival in your sign, and as fabulous as it can be, one downside is that you might believe others will match your diplomacy. They may not.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Professional matters can move forward positively — especially if you really believe in your ideas. Yet Mercury’s angle to Chiron suggests another person’s reaction could make you question your approach. Avoid taking criticism personally. Every successful person refines their methods over time. Stay focused on your objectives, and let your actions speak loudest.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Mercury encourages you to widen your horizons, learn something new, or share your knowledge enthusiastically. Chiron, however, reminds you that growth sometimes means admitting what you don’t yet know. There’s real strength in curiosity. Approach today with an open mind, and an unexpected insight could prove every bit as valuable as certainty.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

You’re usually most content when everything feels organised, yet today’s influences suggest emotional strands deserve as much attention as practical ones. Mercury and Chiron may expose an old insecurity connected to family or personal happiness. If so, acknowledge it, don’t judge it. Doing this can help you retain your usual sense of control.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Relationships will benefit from being open today, although thinker Mercury’s tense angle to shrewd Chiron suggests old family patterns or sensitivities could have a bearing. Ask yourself whether the present situation warrants a response or is better left unaddressed. You can keep a sense of detachment while remaining open to connecting without getting riled up.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Your attention can focus on your work, routines, or your wellbeing. Mercury encourages practical moves and conversations, while Chiron reminds you that the way we think about ourselves is so important in preserving our positivity. For example, if you find yourself over-analysing or feeling picky and self-critical, give yourself some latitude. No one’s perfect.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of August here.

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