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Message stays the same: Please do not visit Pembrokeshire this bank holiday weekend

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With another Bank Holiday weekend on the horizon, visitors and
second home owners are again being urged not to travel to
Pembrokeshire during the current lockdown.

“We are extremely grateful to the vast majority of people from outside
our county who are obeying the lockdown restrictions” said
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Leader, David Simpson.

“We need that compliance and co-operation to continue over this
coming weekend when Monday the 25th is a Bank Holiday.”
“This is especially important at this time given the change of rules in
England.”

Councillor Simpson emphasised: “The message stays the same. We
will welcome our visitors back when it is safe to return.”

He stressed that journeys to holiday lets and second homes are not
classed as ‘essential travel’ and therefore constitute a breach of the
lockdown regulations.

The penalty for breaching the stay-at-home rules has recently been
increased by the Welsh Government. Details on the fine increase can
be found at: https://gov.wales/fines-increased-repeat-coronavirus-
lockdown-breaches-wales

In the lead up to the recent Easter break, the Council’s Public
Protection Division received a significant number of reports of people
arriving at various properties in the County to take up occupation –
allegedly in contravention of the restrictions.

As a result of this intelligence. a joint letter endorsed by all members
of the Dyfed-Powys Local Resilience Forum- and signed by the
Council’s Chief Executive and the Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys
Police – was sent to over 6,000 owners of second homes/holiday
properties in the County.

The letter outlined the key requirements relating to the use of the
properties.

Councillor Simson revealed that the letter had been effective as the
number of complaints over the recent May Bank Holiday was
significantly reduced.

The Authority also carried out a programme of visits to establish
whether the properties reported to the team were ‘let as part of a
business’. These visits were supported by Neighbourhood Policing
Teams.

Sixty-eight properties spread out across the county were visited with
the following results:

 thirty-six per cent of premises were found to be unoccupied

 fifty-four per cent were either the primary residence of the

occupant or they were second homes in which the owners had
taken up residence prior to the lockdown – a situation which
the regulations doesn’t prohibit

 five per cent had not sought a permit from the local authority to
accommodate key workers and other displaced individuals.

Approval was subsequently sought and the premises were
added to the list of over 60 permitted accommodation providers

 five per cent required follow up by the Public Protection
Division as there was potential occupation of a holiday
accommodation as part of a business.

Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed Powys Police continue to
work in partnership to protect our communities.

Council officers will continue to follow up any reliable intelligence of
‘persons renting out holiday accommodation as a business’ and will
also support police cordons that will be in place over the Bank Holiday
and are designed to stop those travelling into Pembrokeshire without
‘reasonable excuse’.

For further guidance on the position as it applies in Wales see
https://gov.wales/guidance-note-holiday-accommodation-owners-
health-protection-coronavirus-restrictions-wales

We appreciate the extreme challenges faced by many of our
businesses and would encourage those facing difficulty to visit our
web-site: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/business-advice-and-
support for advice on financial support that you may be entitled to.

News

Road closure following serious road traffic collision near Pembroke

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A ROAD traffic collision involving two vehicle led to the closure of the A4075 between Golden Hill and the Fingerpost Junction near Pembroke, causing significant disruption throughout Monday (MAr 18).

Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly before 11:30 AM after reports the incident.

The road was closed to allow for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

As the day progressed, it became clear that the closure would be extended, with the road likely to remain shut for an extended period.

The accident, described as ‘serious’ by authorities, prompted an immediate response from Dyfed-Powys Police and emergency medical teams.

Early reports suggest that at least one individual has been injured, although the extent of the injuries remains unclear.

Throughout the day, updates from the scene indicated a significant effort by investigative teams to understand the cause of the crash.

By late evening, after more than nine hours of closure, there was a slight reduction in the length of the road affected, AA Traffic said.

The A4075 is a crucial link between Pembroke and the surrounding areas, and its closure has had a noticeable impact on local traffic and commuters.

Emergency services and local authorities have expressed their gratitude to the public for their patience and cooperation during this challenging time.

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Tragic loss of pony spurs campaign for safer roads in west Wales

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A WEST WALES woman has embarked on a mission to ensure such a tragedy never recurs. Laura Grant, 58, faced an unthinkable ordeal last spring when her Welsh Mountain Section A pony, Katie, was fatally injured on a Carmarthenshire road, leading to a wider call for road safety reforms.

The incident unfolded as Grant, accompanied by a 15-year-old family friend, was enjoying a serene carriage drive with Katie and Billy, a Welsh cob. The tranquillity of their outing was shattered when an impatient van driver’s actions spooked Katie, causing her to bolt into a cattle grid despite her 700 miles of road experience. The tragedy of the situation is compounded by the fact that Katie, a rescue pony lovingly nurtured by Grant for four years, could not be saved.

Grant, devastated by the loss, reflected on the moment, wishing the outcome could have been different. “How I wish I managed to stop her or pulled her into the wall, but it happened so quickly,” she lamented. The incident has not only left a void in her heart but has also paused her passion for carriage driving.

In the wake of this loss, Grant is channeling her grief into advocacy, organising a “Pass Wide and Slow” ride in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire, to honour Katie’s memory and promote awareness about safe driving near horses. The event, scheduled for September 14, underscores the urgent need for change.

Furthering her campaign, Grant has initiated a petition for “Katie’s Law” on change.org. This proposed legislation calls for the Highway Code’s advice — to pass horses at no more than 10 mph and maintain a two-metre distance — to be legally binding. The necessity of such measures is underscored by British Horse Society data, revealing 100 traffic-related equine incidents in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion in 2023 alone.

Grant’s advocacy extends to urging the Carmarthenshire County Council for greater consideration of equestrian needs, advocating for the restoration and shared use of old riding routes now converted into cycle paths. “Give us back all our old riding routes… We need equestrian access plans for Carmarthenshire, Wales, or better still, the whole UK,” she implores, aiming to prevent further tragedies.

Katie’s legacy, marked by a gold rosette from the British Driving Society for her carriage-driving achievements, continues to inspire a movement towards safer, more inclusive roads.

As the community mourns a “pocket rocket” who brought joy to many, the call for action echoes loud, driven by a hope that Katie’s loss will pave the way for meaningful change.

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News

Major traffic jams following accident on M4 near Swansea

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A ROAD traffic accident has closed the M4 in both directions as of Tuesday morning (Mar 19).

Police, paramedics and the fire service were called to the scene of the crash on the eastbound carriageway between Pont Abraham and Hendy at 23:20 GMT on Monday.

A fire which had broken out was extinguished before they arrived.

The motorway remains closed in both directions between J48 and J49.

The affected section is between junction 49 Pont Abraham and junction 48 Hendy, Llanelli, in Carmarthenshire.

As of 8.30am there were 45-minute delays with Traffic Wales saying: “Road continues to remain closed.

https://x.com/DyfedPowys/status/1769963608048378117

“Busy in the area delays showing as approximately 45 minutes in the surrounding areas. Please allow additional time for travel and thank you for your patience.”

At 10am Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is in attendance at a road traffic collision which occurred at about 11.20pm, Monday 18th March 2024.

“A car collided with a stationary lorry on the M4 eastbound at junction 48 Hendy, resulting in both vehicles being on fire.

“The M4 eastbound and westbound between junctions 48, Hendy and 49, Pont Abraham remain closed and road users are advised to avoid the area and take an alternative route if possible.

“It is anticipated that the road will remain closed until later this afternoon.”

Traffic monitors are showing there is already slow traffic in the area and congestion.

There are delays on surrounding routes in the area and on the A48.

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