Two new super-fast EV charging hubs open near Swansea and the M4

Osprey Charging, Wales’ largest open-access rapid EV charging network, has installed eight 300kW chargers at West Swansea Retail Park in Cadle, Fforestfach, just off Junction 47 of the M4 along the A483, and a further eight at the Canolfan Gwili Centre in Hendy, close to Junction 48.

The chargers can typically add around 100 miles of range in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the vehicle, and are compatible with every electric car on the market. They accept contactless bank cards, Apple and Google Pay, the Osprey app, RFID cards and major third-party payment methods including fleet cards.

Osprey says the new hubs are part of its UK-wide rollout of public charging infrastructure in key locations, helping to support the shift to electric vehicles ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. The company now operates six ultra-rapid charging hubs in Wales, with 58 charge points in total.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, said:

“The roll-out of EV charging facilities is quickly gathering pace and we’re here to provide a reliable and rapid public charging service for all drivers, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The new charging hubs in the Swansea area form a vital part of the re-charging network that will enable the decarbonisation of transport in the UK.”

Both sites are powered by renewable energy and have a free 24/7 helpline for customers. Osprey funds, operates and maintains the chargers, which are designed to be easy to use and accessible for all drivers.

#Cadle #CanolfanGwiliCentre #electricCarCharging #EVCharging #Fforestfach #Hendy #Junction47 #Junction48 #M4 #OspreyCharging #WestSwanseaRetailPark

Welsh Government says it will look again at Swansea M4 junction improvements

Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, questioned the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday about the package of improvements once promised by Welsh Labour for Swansea junctions along the M4, which were then cancelled by Labour in 2023.

The much-needed projects, would have seen improvements made at M4 junctions, including 45 (Ynysforgan) and 47 (Penllergaer) – which are grid-locked daily, causing long delays and nightmare journeys for the hundreds of commuters using the M4 every day.

But in an exchange this week in the Senedd, Tom Giffard MS called on the First Minister to look again at the cancellation of the projects; and in turn, the First Minister agreed to ask her Transport Cabinet Secretary, Ken Skates, to look at what could be done.

In a debate in the Senedd, Tom Giffard MS asked the First Minister about the cancelled M4 junction upgrade projects at junction 45 at Ynysforgan and junction 47 at Penllergaer.

Mr Giffard said that “a study in 2017 showed that the M4 could come to a standstill around 30 times in a day, and these junction upgrades were absolutely crucial to ensure that we keep Wales and our M4—our main arterial road—moving.”

He asked the First Minister “can I have an assurance from you that you will look again at these junction upgrade projects around Swansea, to see whether they can be brought back under your leadership?”

Responding, First Minister Eluned Morgan replied that “it is important to make sure we keep the traffic flowing, and that’s why there have been methods to introduce speeding limits, for example, to make sure that the flow just continues, and you don’t get that stop start that annoys us all.”

She added that “In relation to the junction upgrades, I have heard the frustrations for many people in those areas, and I’ll ask the Transport Secretary to look into that.”

Commenting on the exchange, Tom Giffard MS, said: “In true Welsh Labour style, all investment into new roads in Wales were stopped in 2023, unless they moved people away from cars and onto public and active forms of transport.

“This meant that much-needed projects such as junction improvements on key Swansea junctions such as Penllergaer and Ynysforgan were shelved too.

“This news came on the heels of the previous decision by the Welsh Government to cancel the M4 relief road project in Newport too, causing gridlock on Wales’ most valuable road.

“I’m delighted that the First Minister has now confirmed that the Welsh Government will now look again and re-visit these crucial Swansea junction projects, and I’ll be keeping up the pressure to make sure they happen!”

(Lead image: Traffic Wales)

#ElunedMorganMS #Junction45 #Junction47 #M4 #motoring #Swansea #TomGiffardMS #traffic #WelshConservatives #WelshGovernment