Community

Pembrokeshire residents face deadline for 20mph speed limit exemptions

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

TIME is running out for residents in Pembrokeshire to request changes to the controversial 20mph speed limit introduced last year across Wales. Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed that the window for submitting proposals to amend local speed limits will close on 21st October 2024.

Residents who wish to argue that a particular road should be exempted from the default 20mph limit must submit their suggestions, along with valid reasons, to the council by this date. Each request will be reviewed against the Welsh Government’s new exceptions guidance, which offers criteria for evaluating potential changes to the speed limits.

The Council has made it clear that for any feedback to be considered, the first line of the sender’s address and their postcode must be included. This ensures that requests are made by individuals residing within the affected area, giving officers a clearer understanding of local concerns.

All suggestions should be sent to [email protected]. Requests received after the 21st October deadline will not be included in the ongoing review process.

The introduction of the 20mph limit has sparked ongoing debate, with the latest figures revealing that enforcement remains a key issue. According to GoSafe, the organisation responsible for road safety enforcement in Wales, 13,500 drivers were caught speeding on 20mph roads across Wales in September alone.

The data shows that while the average speed at which motorists were penalised was 28mph, some drivers were significantly over the limit. The most extreme case saw a motorist recorded at a staggering 85mph in north Wales. This comes amid growing concerns about compliance with the new speed restrictions.

GoSafe reports that around 43% of those caught speeding are attending speed awareness courses, with nearly 25,000 vehicles monitored in September. Encouragingly, 95% of those vehicles were found to be travelling at or below 25mph, which means they avoided enforcement action.

Since the enforcement campaign began, over 52,000 drivers have been penalised for exceeding the 26mph threshold.

The impact of the 20mph speed limit on journey times has also been closely monitored. Transport for Wales’ recent analysis shows that journeys on 20mph roads are generally taking longer, with motorists facing an average increase of around two minutes. A total of 60 monitoring points along 15 key routes across the country were analysed between February and April this year.

The study revealed that average journey times increased at 55 out of the 60 points. However, most increases were modest, with more than half the routes experiencing delays of less than a minute. The most significant delay was recorded between Aberystwyth and Cardigan, where an extra three minutes was added to the evening peak journey time.

Despite these slight increases in travel times, the report highlighted a positive outcome — less variability in journey times. This means that while journeys might take a little longer, motorists can now more accurately predict how long their trip will take.

Responding to the news that another 13,500 drivers were caught speeding on 20mph roads in Wales last month, Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, said: “There is clearly still a large amount of confusion amongst motorists judging by the average speed being recorded.

“Labour’s poorly implemented 20mph speed limit is damaging our economy and impacting people’s livelihoods.

“The Welsh people have soundly rejected the 20mph speed limit. The Welsh Conservatives would scrap this ridiculous policy which punishes people for trying to get from A to B.”

For Pembrokeshire residents, these changes reflect the broader national discussion around the 20mph speed limit. As the review period comes to a close, locals have just under two weeks left to make their voices heard on whether certain roads in their communities should be exempt from the new restrictions.

Community

Fire service sets out new flood response plan for Mid and West Wales

Published

13 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.

The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.

The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.

Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.

Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.

Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.

The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.

The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.

Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.

These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.

Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.

The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.

The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.

Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”

Community

Vintage tractor tour sets off from Pembroke Dock for Ireland

Published

16 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTY-three vintage tractors left Pembroke Dock Ferry Port on Saturday (May 2) as part of a long-running tractor tour to Ireland.

The group boarded the ferry for the latest stage of an exchange which has been running since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

Organiser Alun Mason said: “The Tour of Ireland has been ongoing since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

“A large contingent travelled from Ireland and continue to do so every other year, with our visit this weekend and the Irish tractors due to visit in 2027.”

Some of the tractors taking part travelled from as far as Burry Port, Bridgend, Llandrindod Wells, Llandovery and Ceredigion before gathering at the ferry port.

The event brought together vintage tractor enthusiasts from across Wales ahead of the crossing to Ireland.

Pictured are organisers Jo Richards and Alun Mason, and the group waiting to embark at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port.

Vintage tour: Jo Richards and Alun Mason with tractors at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port (Pic: Martin Cavaney).

Community

Volunteers praised as Rath paddling pool gets summer makeover

Published

16 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Questions raised over new netting as community pitches in to prepare popular spot

VOLUNTEERS have been praised for their efforts to get Milford Haven’s Rath paddling pool ready for summer – but a new addition has sparked debate among locals.

A group of residents, including Caroline Jones, Derek Abbott, Jordy, Tina Hawkins and Isla, were pictured this week installing colourful netting along the fence surrounding the pool.

The work forms part of ongoing efforts by the community to clean, maintain and improve the popular splash area ahead of the warmer months.

Caroline explained the netting had a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one.

She said: “It’s partly to try and prevent some of the grass cuttings getting into the pool but also to brighten the area up.”

Others suggested it could also help reduce the amount of litter blowing into the water – an issue that has been raised in previous summers.

The efforts were widely welcomed online, with many residents thanking those involved for giving up their time.

One commenter wrote: “A bit of praise for these volunteers who give our little ones a bit of enjoyment at the paddling pool. Well done all.”

Another added: “Well done and thank you everyone.”

Some questioned the need for the netting, with one resident saying: “I don’t understand the netting around the pool. It looked lovely as it was.”

The Rath paddling pool is a well-used facility during the summer months, particularly by families with young children, and relies heavily on volunteer support to keep it clean and operational.

Local groups, including TipTop Wheelies, are understood to be involved in helping prepare the site for the season.

Despite mixed views on the netting, the overwhelming response has been one of appreciation for those working behind the scenes to keep the facility open.