News

Will Lower Town be abandoned to the sea?

Published

8 years ago

March 15, 2016

Lower Town Fishguard

CHAIRED by AM Paul Davies, residents of Fishguard and Goodwick attended a meeting to address representatives from the Pembrokeshire County Council and National Resources Wales, about the flooding issue which has long plagued Fishguard Lower Town.

The meeting was scheduled to discuss a Flood Investigation Report brought out by PCC on the topic of the serious flooding which occurred in 2014.

In 2014 the tidal surge saw water not only come from the sea to flood properties, but also up through drainage systems beneath houses, which proved an impossible force to tackle.

Starting off with Richard Wicks, Flood risk analysis team leader for the NRW speaking about the responsibilities NRW has and then going onto PCC’s Darren Thomas who explained the councils responsibility for the roads, highways and coastal protection constructions. Also attending was PCC’s Emyr Williams one of the coastal engineers and Pauline Louchart the emergency planning officer for the council.

What do the people of Lower Town think of the report?

In Mayor Richard Grosvenor’s absence, town Cllr Alex Allison spoke on behalf of the town and said: “One of the things I noticed in the report, I think on behalf of both agencies, it is a total abligation of their responsibilities, and that they’re passing this responsibility directly onto the local residents.

“The other thing that concerns me about the report is that you keep talking about projected frequencies, we know that in the last 10-15 years your projected frequencies have been blown right into the air.”

Also criticising the councils emergency efforts Cllr Allison said: “I also have to criticise the county council directly, in the actions they take when there is flooding.”

He continued: “To turn around and tell residents that if they want sand bags, they will have to buy them for themselves is again, a total abligation of their responsibilities.”

How does the report help the residents of Lower Town?

Getting down to the main issue the residents have with the report he also brought up the fact that, the report does not shed any light on future plans to tackle the flooding issue.

Alex Allison also brought up something mentioned in the report, which said that the cost of the properties has to outweigh that of the works being completed.

Following on from this he questioned how the works at Newgale were financially justified, where there is only ‘One pub and a field’ and not to save ‘125 houses in a historic village.’

He said: “I know a lot of people in the village feel the same way, that we are going to be abandoned in the long term.

“All we ask for is for you to tell us what plans you’ve got to stop it happening.”

Paul Davies then once again took the floor to highlight they key issues and possible ways to tackle them, which were brought up in the meeting directly following the 2014 flood crisis.

He also mentioned about the second flood which occurred just a month after the main issue which sparked the initiation of the report happened.

Some of the discussed flood defences included a “flood gate, and improvement to the old quay”, however he said: “No immediate solution was found, thus creating the need for the report.”

What do the locals think of the report?

Darren Thomas briefly explained the report: “We looked into what happened with the flooding, its causes, a summary of the incident, the responsibilities of those involved, and the conclusions and recommendations.”

“The report also includes technical details about the flooding for how our findings came about.”

He then welcomed questions from the attending audience. One man stepped up and began picking apart the report, he said: “In the conclusions and recommendations section you reference the operatives, who you say are trained, but it seems they need some guidance on where to place sand bags.”

He continued to explain an example where those placing sand bags had used ‘no common sense’ when placing them in non-strategic way.

Questioning the qualifications of those who wrote the report he also spoke about one possible flood defence strategy listed, and he himself being an engineer with over 50-years experience explained how the solution would make the flooding worse.

He then also stated that it was obvious that no public consultation had taken place when writing the report, because it was written from an unfamiliar perspective.

One lady asked why the report had taken two years to write, and questioned a point in the report which stated the sewage systems beneath the homes were deemed satisfactory following the January 2014 flooding.

She then went on to quote the report which said that no immediate action was needed in order to tackle the flooding issue, which she followed up by asking the rhetorical question: “What about the flooding which then occurred just one month on from that flood?”

Darren Thomas addressed the issue of the time it took to release the report and said: “This hasn’t just been sat on a desk waiting to be issued, it has gone through a process of consultation with stake holders and being drafted.”

Henry an attendee of the meeting began by stating he could match the engineering qualifications of those talking about the report and continued: “They built a refinery from scratch to produce oil in 18 months and you’ve taken two years to write a report which should have taken four at most.”

What is going to be done for the future?

Henry then proposed an idea and finishing with the question: “Are you going to do anything about the flooding or not?”

Bruce, another local, then picked more problems and issues with the plan when he was interrupted by Darren who said: “We’ve come along tonight to try and constructively discuss the issue, it is not constructive to keep just slagging off the report.

“We are here to go through the report and its findings.”

Richard Wicks added: “We do want to stop the flooding in Lower Town Fishguard and on the Abergwaun.”

He continued: “The first stage is to map where we actually are with the flooding, which we are doing, so please don’t think we don’t consider your small town here worth looking at.

Bringing up a few of the suggestions and problems with the proposed plans, Richard said about how Lower Town doesn’t just face tidal flooding but fluvial flooding from the river, he noted: “The last thing you want from us as engineers is to stop one type of flooding and leave you exposed to the other.”

Talking about more of the suggested solutions, he said that the cost would be very high for any considerable works and went on to explain the priority ranking system in place, which they advise the Welsh Government on.

Richard said: “Fishguard is about 400 on the list. Cardiff with it’s high population is top, as they are at risk of flooding with rising tide levels.

“Money would be much more wisely spent on areas like this with a high population. In time we will look at flood defences for Lower Town.”

Deputy Mayor, Mike Mayberry then spoke about Fishguard being so low down the list, and said about how places like Newgale where there are no residents effected have already had work started.

Darren went onto say that the work at Newgale isn’t about protecting houses or residents but is ‘managerial alignment’ after a ‘vulnerability survey’ showed the trunk road had only 10 years left before it was lost to the sea.

What was the final conclusion of the meeting?

More discussion about strategies to solve the problem, including short term suggestions about stopping traffic took place which Emyr said would be ‘extremely difficult to police’. The meeting continued to heat up and a local man left the meeting through frustration, of not hearing any actual solutions from the report which took two years to complete.

Highlighting that the meeting had started to snow ball and cross topics set out for discussion, Paul Davies pulled the meeting back and asked the panel to answer the question: “What solutions can you bring forward to start alleviating the issues?

“Because so far I am not hearing any.”

Richard from the NRW said that before work could be started, time has been taken to map the area and it’s specific issues, but further studies would need to take place to more studies and surveys would need to be completed.

He expressed that because it is a small harbour there are limits to what can be done, and lots of this they cannot do as it would spoil the scenery.

Paul Davies asked him to confirm: “Are you saying that further studies will need to be done?”

To which Richard replied: “Studies will be done, but I can’t promise you when they will be done, as any public funded body, we have to do things in a prioritised way.

“We have done what we can for Lower Town Fishguard.” He continued: “at the moment we have done what we can for residents in the short term.”

A local woman stood up and said: “So basically what you are saying is that you will not be doing anything!”

He responded: “I didn’t say that.” another man jumped in and said: “If it’s already taken two years to get this report, how many more years will it take for the next?”

Richard responded: “It really depends on availability of funds.”

Asked if they will be consulting the locals in any further reports, he replied by saying that they would. At which point several locals raised their voices and stated that is was not done with the current report.

The meeting closed with Richard saying that in the short term nothing will be done for Lower Town, and after being questioned as to how long ‘the short term’ was, he responded by saying it all depends on fund.

Richard then spoke about some solutions and concluded by saying: “If the cost of the measures are not much less than the damages that it is stopping, the works will not be allowed to go ahead.”

A local man asked: “I’ve got a simple question, give us a clue when it is going to start?”

Richard replied: “It is not in the short term, that is all I can say. It is all a question of resources and priority.”

News

Withyhedge Landfill faces political allegations and regulatory enforcement

Published

18 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

STEPHEN CRABB MP has vociferously criticised the Welsh Labour Government for its management of the Withyhedge Landfill in Pembrokeshire, claiming it has turned the area into a “dumping ground” for waste from across Wales. Mr. Crabb, supported by Paul Davies MS, alleges that substantial lorries deliver waste daily to the site, causing significant distress to local residents. The MP has repeatedly written to the First Minister, demanding immediate intervention, yet claims to have received no response.

Compounding the controversy, Mr. Crabb highlighted a substantial £200,000 donation to Vaughan Gething’s recent election campaign from the landfill’s owner, questioning the impartiality of regulatory practices. Despite ongoing political efforts, Mr. Crabb asserts that resolution lies solely with the Welsh Government, which has the ultimate authority to address these grievances.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has escalated its enforcement actions against the site’s operators, Resources Management UK Ltd (RML), amid persistent community complaints about odour and gas emissions. A recent Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice demands a series of remedial actions by RML, with deadlines stretching into May 2024. These measures focus on improving the site’s gas management infrastructure and capping exposed areas to mitigate odour issues.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West Operations at NRW, expressed understanding of the community’s frustration, emphasizing the urgency of the required actions. “We are committed to ensuring RML Ltd. deliver these actions rapidly and effectively. Continued non-compliance will lead to further measures, potentially including a suspension of the environmental permit,” stated Mr. Manley.

Pembrokeshire County Council, represented by Chief Executive Will Bramble, also voiced disappointment over the ongoing issues, affirming full support for NRW’s stringent enforcement steps. The Council and NRW are working closely to monitor the situation and have encouraged the public to report any odour incidents promptly to aid in effective resolution.

As the deadline approaches, all parties involved are under increasing pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements and ensure the health and well-being of Pembrokeshire residents are prioritised.

News

Police issue update on the search for Luke, missing from Pembroke Dock

Published

19 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE have made the difficult decision to end the search for Luke, following a joint decision by all the agencies involved.

The police said: “After careful consideration of all the information and expert advice that has been made available to us, a joint decision has been made by all agencies involved that the search for Luke will now conclude and will consist of intelligence led enquiries in the coming days.

“Whilst this is an extremely difficult decision to make, we are satisfied that we have done absolutely everything we possibly can to try and locate Luke. His family have been informed of this decision and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

“I would also like to reassure the public that in addition to the searches that have taken place at the estuary, a team of Police Officers have been conducting extensive enquiries in Pembroke Dock since Luke was reported missing.”

Meanwhile the family has made a heartfelt plea for any information that might help trace his last known movements.

Emma Dewhurst has issued an urgent appeal for information that could help track her nephew Luke’s whereabouts, last seen in the early hours of Saturday morning. Describing Luke as “jovial, kind, soft, and timid,” she reflects on his vibrant personality and gentle nature, noting his resilience and determination to push forward in life. “He is strong. He didn’t give up easily and kept going in his life,” she affirmed.

The family is reeling from the shock of Luke’s sudden disappearance. “We are all so shocked and upset,” Emma stated. “It’s profoundly distressing.”

In an effort to find Luke, his father has made the long journey from the north of England to Pembrokeshire. The emotional toll is evident, as Emma revealed, “His dad is devastated, and my mum [his grandmother] is in pieces.”

Luke was last recorded by CCTV at 6am, four hours after he left his accommodation. Emma is desperately calling on residents to review their CCTV or doorbell footage, hoping for any clue that might explain his movements during those critical missing hours. “Where has he been in that four hours?” Emma implored. “We need to fill these gaps to piece together the facts.”

She recalls Luke’s last day before he vanished, spent with his mother, ending with future plans unfulfilled. “It isn’t in his nature to just disappear,” she said. “We can’t give up. We all love him, miss him, and want him back safely.”

Emma also expressed a poignant message for Luke, should he be out there, feeling unable to come home: “If you don’t want to come home, at least reach out to someone. Let us know you are okay. That’s what my brother would want.”

If you have any information on Luke’s last known whereabouts, please contact Dyfed-Powys Police at 101, email [email protected], or reach out online at https://orlo.uk/RlB5o. For those wishing to remain anonymous, you can contact the charity Missing People at www.missingpeople.org.uk.

News

Labour promises ‘most significant investment in Britain’s ports in a generation’

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

LABOUR has said this week that it will “Build it in Britain” with the most significant investment in Britain’s ports in a generation, as part of Green Prosperity Plan to support the creation of 650,000 good jobs across the country.

A Labour Government will “Build it in Britain” Keir Starmer said on Thursday, as he visited the North East of England to highlight Labour’s plans to deliver the most significant upgrade of Britain’s ports in a generation.

Visiting a port in the North East, Labour Leader Keir Starmer, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will set out how Labour’s £1.8 billion investment in Britain’s port infrastructure will help crowd billions more of private sector investment into the UK’s energy industry.

Labour’s announcement comes after Jo Stevens, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, visited the Port of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire last month alongside with Henry Tufnell, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, to learn more about the port’s operations and challenges.

After the visit, Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: “Upgrading our ports, like this one here in Milford Haven, can help us seize the golden opportunity we have to become a world leader renewable energy, delivering cheaper bills and the jobs of the future.

“But the Conservative government is holding Wales back, with narrow-minded, poorly run investment schemes that leave us lagging behind international competitors.

“A UK Labour government will switch on GB Energy to invest in projects that can secure our lead in floating offshore wind, unlocking the jobs and investment that the Tories have left to languish.”

Henry Tufnell, Labour’s candidate in this year’s General Election, added: “Pembrokeshire’s first Labour MP, Desmond Donnelly, was instrumental in the creation of the Port of Milford Haven, transforming Pembrokeshire’s economic fortunes. Today, as in the 1950s, we face a crossroads. We must put our county at the forefront of a new Labour Government’s industrial strategy to build it in Britain.

Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan will secure our energy supply, develop industry, and create good well paid jobs right here in our county. We don’t want the young people of Pembrokeshire to feel they must leave their home county to get on in life. We want to provide opportunity here, and we want to provide it now.”

Labour’s plan for ports will help reverse fourteen years of industrial decline under the Conservatives and support domestic manufacturing across the country. The pledge is funded through Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan, which includes a proper windfall tax on the oil and gas giants making record profits, to fund investment in British industries.Keir Starmer’s announcement comes as Labour confirms that its Green Prosperity Plan will help support the creation of up to 650,000 good jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, including here in Pembrokeshire, by crowding billions of private investment into industries such as Britain’s nuclear, steel, automotive, and construction industries.

The last Labour government led the way on upgrading Britain’s ports, providing funding for the development of port sites to support offshore wind turbine manufacturing. This industrial advantage has been squandered after fourteen years of the Conservatives, with recent research showing the UK could have created almost 100,000 more jobs in the wind industry if it had followed Denmark’s example in recent years and built up domestic supply chains in clean energy.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Labour Leader Keir Starmer outlined the choice facing millions of voters: continued industrial decline after 14 years of Conservative rule, or national economic renewal with Labour, saying:“The legacy of fourteen years of Conservative rule is Britain’s industrial strength reduced to the rubble and rust of closed-down factories. They have let good jobs go overseas and done nothing about it, and every community has paid the price.

“A Labour government will reindustrialise Britain – from the biggest investment in our ports in a generation, to a British Jobs Bonus to crowd billions of investment into our industrial heartlands and coastal communities.“

The wealth of Britain was once built on a bedrock of industrial jobs that offered security and a good wage. By investing in Britain’s homegrown energy sector, we can rebuild this dream for the twenty-first century- good jobs, higher wages, and the pride that comes from good work for all.”Through policies such as Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund, and the mission for Clean Power by 2030, a Labour government will invest in technologies like floating offshore wind, hydrogen, nuclear, and carbon capture and storage, which will help secure Britain’s energy independence.

This will create a new generation of skilled jobs in growing industries, which will offer people good wages, give confidence in their job security, and provide them with opportunities to progress. This policy is part of Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan, to cut energy bills for families, make Britain energy independent, and rebuild the strength of British industry.

This historic investment in working people and their communities is the only way out of the high energy bills, energy insecurity, and the doom loop of low growth, high taxes and crumbling public services under Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives.Commenting on Labour’s landmark plan to invest in Britain’s port infrastructure, Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband MP said: “Making Britain a clean energy superpower requires flourishing national ports. Whilst the Conservatives are letting other countries plunder jobs that could be ours here in Britain, Labour has a plan to help win the race for the industries of the future.“

This is what Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan will do for every community in Britain – slash energy bills, create good jobs, boost our national energy independence, and help to tackle the climate crisis.”