News

Diesel nears £2 a litre in Pembrokeshire as drivers scramble for cheaper fuel

Published

4 days ago

April 6, 2026

Johnston forecourt hits 194.9p while wide price gaps and rush to fill up pile pressure on motorists across the county

DIESEL prices in Pembrokeshire are edging dangerously close to £2 a litre, with the BP forecourt in Johnston on the A4076 displaying 194.9p per litre.

The latest surge has sparked a rush at some filling stations across the county, as motorists hunt for pumps that have not yet caught up with the steep increases. The Herald understands some forecourts have temporarily run dry as drivers fill up early to avoid paying even more, rather than because of any wider supply issue. That picture fits with national comments from the AA, which said it had seen no evidence of widespread shortages or any increase in breakdowns caused by vehicles running out of fuel.

Pictures sent to The Herald show just how sharply prices now vary across Pembrokeshire.

At Johnston, diesel was 194.9p per litre and petrol 157.9p. At Robeston Wathen, diesel was 187.9p and petrol 155.9p. At Square and Compass, diesel was 183.7p and unleaded 151.7p. In Milford Haven, the Gulf station on North Road was displaying diesel at 179.7p and petrol at 148.7p, while Tesco Milford Haven showed diesel at 181.9p and unleaded at 149.9p. In St Davids, Ocean Haze was also showing diesel at 187.9p, with petrol at 155.9p.

Based on those prices, there is a 15.2p-per-litre gap between the highest and lowest diesel prices pictured — a difference of more than £9 on a 60-litre fill.

The local spike reflects a sharp rise across the UK. RAC data showed average petrol prices reached 152.01p a litre on March 30 — the highest level in 28 months — while diesel climbed to 181.2p, its highest point since December 2022. The RAC said that, compared with the start of the Iran conflict, it was costing £10.55 more to fill a typical family petrol car and £21.35 more for a comparable diesel vehicle.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said the “financial strain” on motorists “continues to build”, while RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding warned prices at the pumps appeared to be on a “one way trajectory”.

The AA’s latest weekly update, based on government data, put average UK petrol at 148.78p a litre and diesel at 176.42p, up from 144.16p and 166.88p the previous week.

The pressure is being felt well beyond private motorists. In West Wales, the wider rural economy is especially exposed because so many people rely on vehicles for work, deliveries and day-to-day life.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales said rising fuel and heating oil prices were placing “additional pressure on rural communities” and increasing the risk of theft. In a March statement, the union said red diesel had risen from about 67p a litre in February to around 109p in mid-March, while heating oil had in many cases more than doubled from around 60p to about £1.30 a litre. It also noted that 74 per cent of homes in Ceredigion are off the gas grid, leaving many households particularly vulnerable to sudden price shocks.

The haulage sector has also warned of the knock-on effect. Swansea Bay News reported that Llanelli-based Owens Group said soaring diesel costs had added around £64,000 a week to its fuel bill. Founder Huw Owen said: “We felt it as a company straight away. With a fleet our size, we burn a tanker of fuel a day. We used to order fuel a week or even a fortnight in advance — now we’re negotiating prices day by day.”

The same report quoted Road Haulage Association representative Geraint Davies warning that higher transport costs would feed through into prices more widely because “everything we buy is moved by road at some point.”

For households, tradespeople, delivery drivers and rural businesses in Pembrokeshire, the latest rise is another heavy blow. In a county where so many people depend on their vehicles every day, sharp increases at the pumps are felt quickly and widely.

One thing is clear: drivers are shopping around harder than ever, and when prices are moving this fast, delaying a fill-up by even a day can come at a cost.

Photo caption:

Johnston prices: Diesel reached 194.9p per litre at the BP forecourt on the A4076 (Pic: Herald)

Crime

Drug and weapon charges after Pembroke Dock arrest

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Court Reporter

Man remanded in custody following Diamond Street vehicle search

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing at Swansea Crown Court charged with drug, weapon and driving offences following an arrest in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers from Pembrokeshire Roads Policing and response teams searched a vehicle on Diamond Street on Saturday (Apr 4).

Following the search, Zamurd Hussain, 43, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Hussain was later charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 6), where he was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court at 9:00am on May 8.

Crime

Woman fights order taking four dogs from her

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Swansea Crown Court hears appeal after long-running barking dispute in Trefin

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has told Swansea Crown Court that complaints about her dogs are unfair as she appeals against the sentence imposed on her by magistrates, including the order that led to four of her dogs being taken from her.

Julia Goodgame appeared before His Honour Judge Simon Hughes on Friday (Apr 10) in the latest stage of a long-running case arising from complaints by residents in Trefin about persistent dog barking.

The appeal follows a ruling by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in December, when Goodgame, of Bryn Y Derwydd, admitted breaching a Community Protection Notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Magistrates ordered the immediate forfeiture and seizure of four Border Collies, which Goodgame said were the only dogs in her possession.

The court heard on Friday that residents had complained of constant barking, with only short breaks of around 30 minutes, sometimes continuing until 10:00pm.

The dogs have reportedly remained in kennels since December while the appeal is dealt with.

Goodgame told the court: “My dogs are exceptionally well behaved.”

She also raised concerns about the conditions the animals are being kept in, saying the kennels were exposed to the weather and did not provide a suitable environment.

Goodgame said she had attended conflict resolution classes and had tried her best to resolve the issues raised by neighbours, but said she could not understand why the dogs had not been returned.

The original case followed months of complaints from residents in Trefin about dog noise and control. In addition to the forfeiture order, magistrates imposed a fine, costs and a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The case continues.

News

Plaid Cymru commits to review 182-day rule

Published

4 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUPPORTING local tourism businesses is key, Plaid Cymru said as it launched its manifesto and confirmed it would review the 182-day threshold for holiday accommodation in Wales.

The party said it would also introduce clear and reasonable national exemptions in cases where accommodation should not be treated as a private home.

Plaid Cymru says many holiday-let business owners in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are struggling to meet the 182-day threshold each year due to factors beyond their control, including poor weather, and that this is having a serious impact on both their businesses and their wellbeing.

Under the party’s proposals, national exemptions would be introduced to ensure genuine holiday-let operators are treated fairly and given the support needed to help their businesses succeed.

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “As a business owner myself, I know how much financial pressure small businesses are under at the moment and the toll that can take on owners, their friends and families.

“We have heard directly from many furnished holiday-let owners in both Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire that lowering the 182-day threshold for overnight stays would make a huge difference to their businesses.

“I am pleased that Plaid Cymru has committed to reviewing the 182-day rule for non-domestic rates in Wales and to introducing national exemptions to help genuine businesses that are unfairly affected by the rule, while excluding self-catering accommodation that cannot be used on the open housing market.”