IMPROVEMENTS to make buses and trains a more practical alternative to cars have been identified as the top transport priority for South West Wales.

Over 70% of participants in a recent consultation highlighted these improvements as the most important measures to enhance transport across Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea.

More than 800 people took part in the consultation, organised by the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) for South West Wales, to assess the region’s case for change in transport planning.

Rural options and better connections

The consultation revealed additional priorities, including more transport options for rural areas, better connections between transport services, and improved maintenance of roads, footpaths, and cycleways.

The feedback will help shape a regional transport plan, which could lead to enhanced train services for South West Wales. Plans may also include the introduction of regular local services as part of the South West Wales Metro project, aiming to provide reliable, connected, and affordable bus and rail journeys throughout the region.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader and Chair of the CJC for South West Wales, said: “We know transport improvements are needed across South West Wales for the benefit of our residents and businesses and to help attract more jobs and investment to the area.

“People’s views on what should be prioritised in future are crucially important though, so we’d like to thank everyone who took part in the recent consultation.

“All views received will now help inform a draft regional transport plan that will also be made available for feedback in the early New Year.”

Barriers to public transport

Other key findings from the consultation include:

• 92% of respondents found trips involving more than one bus or train difficult.
• 91% agreed that a lack of rail services in some areas is a significant issue.
• 87% noted that walking and cycling are not always practical for some people.

Cllr Darren Price, Carmarthenshire Council Leader and Chair of the CJC’s transport sub-committee, said: “We need a transport system in South West Wales that meets the needs of modern times while better connecting our communities.

“This is important because transport affects each and every one of us – whether you’re a motorist, a bus or train user, or someone who walks or cycles to get from one place to another.

“Once the draft regional transport plan is available for feedback, we’ll ensure as many people as possible again have an opportunity to have their say.”

A regional approach

The Corporate Joint Committee for South West Wales comprises the Leaders of Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea councils, along with senior representatives of the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire National Park Authorities.

Sub-committees addressing specific themes, such as transport, feed into the committee’s work.

THERE will be some changes to rubbish and recycling collections this festive season in Pembrokeshire.

There will be no waste and recycling collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.

Christmas collections

• Collections due on Monday 23^rd December will take place two days earlier on Saturday 21^st December

• Collections due on Tuesday 24^th December will take place two days earlier on Sunday 22^nd December

• Collections due on Wednesday 25^th December will take place two days earlier on Monday 23^rd December

• Collections due on Thursday 26^th December will take place two days earlier on Tuesday 24^th December.

New Year collections

• Collections due on Wednesday 1^st January will take place one day later on Thursday 2^nd January

• Collections due on Thursday 2^nd January will take place one day later on Friday 3^rd January

• Collections due on Friday 3^rd January will take place one day later on Saturday 4^th January.

There are no changes to what is scheduled for collection. Please make sure your containers are out for collection by 6.30am.

Check your online calendars or sign up to the notification service via My Account to check collection types and dates.

To help with the extra residual waste generated at Christmas, properties can present one extra grey / black bag at the kerbside on your first collection of residual non-recyclable waste after Christmas.

It is still important to recycle as much as possible, including wrapping paper.

Wrapping paper can be recycled if it does not contain glitter or foil, and does not bounce back/unfold again if you scrunch it up into a ball.

Make sure you recycle your food waste such as turkey bones and potato peelings.

You can find out much more information about recycling in Pembrokeshire at Christmas on the Council’s website.

Collections will return to normal from Monday 6^th January 2025.

For PCC trade waste customers, those on the small business/ holiday let packages will receive collections as per the household collection dates above.

All other Trade Waste Customers will be contacted directly via email with their festive collection dates.

Waste and Recycling Centres (WRCs) at Christmas

Pembrokeshire household and commercial users will need to book a slot at one of our Waste and Recycling Centres if they wish to use the WRCs over the festive period. Only users with a pre-booked slot will be admitted.

To book a slot for the WRC or view the user guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) visit the Council’s website.

The Council is also trialling an ‘out of hours’ telephone booking system for Waste and Recycling Centre bookings, available between the following times:

Monday – Friday: 5pm – 7 pm

Saturday – Sunday: 8am – Noon

To book your WRC slot during these times, phone 01437 764551.

The WRCs will remain open as per the winter opening hours but will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Real Christmas tree collection

Residents are once again able to book a kerbside collection of their real Christmas tree over the festive period.

For a charge of £5.30 per tree, real Christmas trees will be collected from residents’ homes on a designated day before being sent to a Pembrokeshire facility for shredding and composting.

The collection service will commence from Monday 6th January 2025 and householders wishing to have a collection can arrange one through your My Account or by calling the Council contact centre on 01437 764551 from Monday 16th December.

Requests for collections will be available through the contact centre on 01437 764551 until Friday 3^rd January and via My Account until Sunday 5^th January.

Alternatively households can take their Christmas trees to any Waste and Recycling Centres free of charge – see above for booking information.

PEMBROKESHIRE experienced a weekend of extreme weather as Storm Darragh brought chaos to the region, prompting an extraordinary display of teamwork and community spirit.

The rare red wind warning issued for the storm led to severe disruptions, with hundreds of trees felled and homes left without power. From late Friday (Dec 6) into the weekend, Pembrokeshire County Council’s highways teams worked tirelessly to clear roads and ensure public safety.

In the midst of 100mph gusts, crews braved perilous conditions, with around 50 trees reported down within a single hour. As one blockage was cleared, others fell, creating a relentless cycle of challenges.

Overwhelmed but not overcome

The Council’s Out of Hours service was inundated with over 400 calls, ranging from storm-related emergencies to unrelated issues such as broken boilers and carbon monoxide alarms. Meanwhile, social care teams and commissioned services acted swiftly to ensure the county’s most vulnerable residents were cared for amid the chaos.

More than 250 urgent call-outs were made to individuals with community alarms, followed by welfare visits to check on those without heat or electricity. Leisure service staff extended operating hours on Sunday to provide warm spaces for those in need, and community hubs, coordinated by PAVS, delivered critical information and support.

Leadership and gratitude

Chief Executive Will Bramble and Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey visited the Templeton Depot to personally thank the highways teams and other staff who worked around the clock.

Cllr Harvey said: “The effort to clean up and repair damage from Storm Darragh will continue for some time. Huge thanks go to the members of our community who helped with the initial clean-up and checked on family, friends, and neighbours.

“The collaboration between the Council, Police, health services, and the fantastic communities of Pembrokeshire was truly remarkable. We are incredibly grateful for how everyone pulled together during such a challenging time.”

Meanwhile Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said: “The effects of Storm Bert have been devastating for our communities and my heart goes out to everyone affected.

“It’s clear that the dedicated staff at Lido Ponty and Ynysangharad Park have worked tirelessly to secure their sites and undertake recovery works. Their efforts have been truly commendable.

“Our local authorities have also demonstrated incredible resilience and I would like to thank them for their collective efforts while responding to the flooding damage.

“We will continue to provide support as we recover from the storm. Our priority is, and always will be, to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.”

Ongoing support

For those still without power or water, leisure centres, including the reopened Fishguard centre, remain available for warmth, showers, and device charging.

Support can be accessed through the Community Hub at 01437 723660 or by emailing [email protected]. Generators are available for those in need by calling 01437 764551 or emailing [email protected].

Residents are urged to check on neighbours and the vulnerable. Concerns about anyone without power can also be directed to National Grid on 105, which has arrangements with the Red Cross to provide assistance.

The storm may have brought destruction, but Pembrokeshire’s resilience and unity have shone brightly in its aftermath.