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Minister reflects on Coastguard decision

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FORMER Under Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning MP, met Milford Haven Coastguard on Wednesday on his first visit since he decided to keep services functioning in Pembrokeshire. 

crabbcoastguardHe told the Coastguard that he had listened to what the public expect of him and explained that the decision was made on risk, pointing out that the decision to save Milford Coastguard over Swansea was made easier by the fact that Swansea closed and passed over duty to Milford Haven on the day he visited them. He then alluded to the fact that it was a very difficult decision, nationally, and also an economic decision. Speaking to the Herald, he said: “I had inherited the situation that there was going to be a reconfiguration of the Coastguard. I had to look carefully at what the decision was, and the decision meant Milford was going to close. I went around all the Coastguards and met a lot of the people that were protesting, I went everywhere, and at the end of the day I think I made the right decision for Pembrokeshire, and the Coastguards as a whole, to keep Milford open. “This is a social call as I’m here in another capacity, being responsible for health and safety. I was looking at the port and natural gas terminals, but I also wanted to make a personal visit here. I wanted to come back and see how it was working and it seems to be working really, really well. I am very impressed, seeing all the new technology. “There will always be local issues on health and safety but the record here is excellent. Any injury is one too many, of course. What the community need to do is work together for the future of this port.” Referring to his role as Minister of State for Disabled People, he said: “We must make sure that people with disability can live their dreams and have their aspirations and have a great life.” Stephen Crabb MP, who was also in attendance, applauded the saving of Milford Haven Coastguard as the ‘right outcome’ and went on to say: “The last time he (Mike Penning) visited Pembrokeshire was when I asked him to come down here when we had the great campaign to save Milford Coastguard station. “I asked him to come and see for himself the coastline here, and to meet with the Coastguard campaign group who were fighting to save the Coastguard, and asked him as the Minister then to reconsider the decision to close Milford Haven Coastguard. “So I am really pleased that he is back in Pembrokeshire, albeit with a different Ministerial hat, visiting the Coastguard station that he saved. Politicians and government are often accused of not listening and trampling ahead with proposals without really taking on board what local people are saying. “This is an instance where the local community made its voice heard very powerfully, through media and elsewhere. The Minister came down and met with the campaign group and with myself and went away and made a different decision. This is a great example of a government who listens.”

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Rugby Weekly – Tenby’s promotion push continues

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It’s crunch time for all rugby clubs around the county, whether promotion is their aim or fighting relegation or even just trying to improve their league position, it’s now or never. 

Last weekend saw an important win for Fishguard in division two west which should put any relegation fears to bed completely. James Griffiths added an impressive 18 points for the Seagulls as they defeated Nantgaredig 33-19. 

Elsewhere in the second division, Milford were beaten 32-8 by a good Lampeter outfit. The Mariners are still a little too close for comfort with the drop zone but should have enough quality to see them safe. 

At the other end of the table Tenby sit in second place and have played fewer games than leaders St Clears and third place Lampeter. They won impressively again last weekend, beating Pontyberem 64-19 at Haywood Lane. Fletcher Broadhurst impressed with two tries as did Hywel Baker who also grabbed himself a brace. Another excellent performance in an outstanding season so far in which promotion would be the absolute icing on the cake. 

In Division Three West, Pembroke were well beaten by Laugharne 74-15 in which the outstanding Liam Price and Nico Setaro both crossed the whitewash 4 teams a piece. The latter also added 7 successful conversions. 

There was a local derby at Pill Parks where Llangwm hosted Pembroke Dock Quins and it was an exciting clash. The visitors won narrowly 28-23, Craig Barnett and Gethin Bradney both scored two tries for the Quins. The Wasps battled hard and will be proud of their performance, Gethin Thomas impressed for the hosts with two tries of his own but it wasn’t enough to secure the points. 

St David’s hosted the high flying Cardigan outfit and were unable to score in reply to the visitors 20 points, with it ending 20-0. The Saints however won’t be losing too much sleep over it as they have had a great season so far. 

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Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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