Burberry has just announced further 'cost efficiencies'.
This actually means more British job losses, this time in Rotherham.
During the Keep Burberry British campaign to try to save the Burberry Treorchy factory two years ago, we warned that if Treorchy went, Yorkshire jobs would be next.
I was rung yesterday by Cllr Ceri Jones who told me the water was off again in Ferndale and Blaenllechau: it is believed that this is because of another water burst as the thaw sets in.
Bluntly, however, this illustrates what I have been saying since last week: Welsh Water's infrastructure in the Rhondda isn't up to it.
100 homes in Maerdy out of water today because of a burst pipe. Welsh Water are distributing bottled water.
I have written to Welsh Water calling on the company to bring forward investment in the pipes and infrastructure supporting the Maerdy Water Treatment Centre.
I also raised questions concerning the supply of information to residents on the first day of the recent disruption.
I told them that water bowsers needed to be replenished more quickly as residents often found that they had run out.
In my letter to the Managing Director of Welsh Water, Nigel Annett, I said:
‘Can I raise some issues which have been brought up by constituents as they might have a bearing on how you respond to similar eventualities in future? I also want to raise the bigger issue of investment in the Maerdy Treatment Centre and the pipes supplying it.
‘The first point relates to the information supplied to residents on the Tuesday. Constituents have said that they would have found it helpful if on the Tuesday Welsh Water had alerted them earlier, and if the message could have been got out through mobile loudspeakers touring the affected areas, as well as through the conventional media. Some have said to me that if they had understood earlier that the discoloured water could be used eg for flushing toilets, then they would have stored this at the time.
‘There was clearly a problem on the Wednesday with bowsers not being replenished quickly enough. I saw for myself people trying to get water from empty bowsers. Again, I think this needs looking at for the future.
‘More substantially, I think you need to accelerate your investment in the infrastructure, including pipes, supporting the Maerdy Treatment Centre. It is clear that the pipes are old and not fit for purpose. While these were exceptional weather conditions, it seems to me wise for all organisations to plan on the basis of more extreme weather conditions. I know that there are plans to invest at a future date in the infrastructure supporting Maerdy, but I hope that given what has occurred you will bring the planned investments forward.’
These were difficult circumstances but I hope that Welsh Water will learn lessons for the future. We need new investment in the pipes and infrastructure supporting the Maerdy Treatment Centre and they should now bring this forward.
The latest at 18.10 Welsh Water time is that Welsh Water has carried out two repairs in Trehafod and they think most people there should have water again.
They also tell me the Maerdy reservoirs are stabilising. They say most people in Maerdy should have water back during the evening. They will be supplying bottled water to people but not topping up bowsers. Their emergency number is 0800 052 0130.
Chris Bryant MP has also written to the MD of Welsh Water about the investment in water infrastructure.
Now there is a burst pipe in Trehafod affecting 600 homes. Welsh Water are trying to get this back on now. They now tell me that a temporary connection has been established to ensure people have a supply.
And Welsh Water now tell me are 400 homes that may be without water in Maerdy tonight. They say they have taken over 100 loss of supply calls.
I have already written to Welsh Water asking them to bring forward their investment in the water infrastructure and I have repeated this message to the Operations Director on the phone.
Anyone who knows different please email me at leighton.andrews@wales.gov.uk !
Welsh Water have just been in touch to say that some residents in Maerdy will experience a reduction in water pressure - they tell me this is not a recurrence of the problem, but is because they have not today yet had the network at full-flow.
The manganese contamination that affected the water supply to the treatment centre
I have been in Maerdy and Ferndale this morning. I visited Welsh Water's Maerdy Treatment Centre with representatives of Welsh Water. I met local residents who have been without water since yesterday. I also visited a local business that had been affected by the problems. I took a Welsh Water representative to the business, Avon Engineered Rubber, so that a solution could be found to get the factory working again. I understand that the water supply has now been reconnected and the 6 o'clock shift should be able to work there tonight.
Welsh Water tell me they are hopeful that by this evening most properties in the Rhondda Fach should see their water flowing again though there may be some around Ferndale on hillier areas with problems.
Welsh Water tell me that they will have the tankers running throughout and there will be bottled water for elderly and vulnerable people who need it. Obviously they also need to keep the water bowsers replenished.
I have spoken with the Chief Eexecutive and the Operations Director of Welsh Water who have had staff working throughout the night in order to improve supplies as soon as possible. Obviously a lot of activity has been going on since last night. Welsh Water tell me the situation they are facing is virtually unprecedented. I have discussed with them what might be done if similar circumstances arise in future.
I have discussed the situation tonight with a representative of Welsh Water They tell me that this is the first time in 12 years that they have experienced this kind of problem with the supply to the Maerdy treatment centre. I know that Welsh Water is bringing water in by tankers and ensuring that there are bowsers in Maerdy and Ferndale. They say they are also supplying bottled water to people on the special needs register but I have urged them to make sure that older and vulnerable people who are not on the special needs register know that they need to phone their freephone number 0800 052 0130 if they need bottled water. I have also asked Welsh Water to try to make sure this information is repeated regularly on broadcast news bulletins.
For more detail on the reasons behind the problems, there is a press release from Welsh Water here.
Good to see that the food co-op established by Trealaw Communities First makes it into the Guardian today.
Radio Cwmni is back - and you can listen online.
I'll be joining Sharon and the team tomorrow afternoon.
Voting lines are now open to support the Ferndale Skate Park: dial 0871 626 81 46
The Ferndale Skate Park project has been shortlisted in the People's Millions, a UK-wide programme which aims to fund projects that improve the quality of life of local communities. Projects will transform the local environment or provide opportunities or facilities that allow people to enjoy their local area.
The Ferndale Skate Park will feature on ITV Wales this evening, going head to head against another project. The project that receives the most public support will win an award of £50,000.
Voting is open from 9am to midnight. If you wish to support the Ferndale Skate Park please call 0871 626 81 46 to cast your vote.
The runner up with the highest number of votes in each ITV region will also win an award, so every vote counts!
I have already voted.
Pass it on!
It's not often initiatives we launch as Ministers get to be the subject of the Radio Four Today programme's Thought for the Day, but thanks to the Rev Roy Jenkins our Valleys Homecoming Initiative in 2010 has done so.
You can read Roy's words here, or listen here.
The Communities First Team in Clydach Vale has a new website with details of local activities. You can access it here.
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