News
£150k e-bikes scheme will come under the spotlight at council meeting
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S £150,000 e-bikes scheme, which got off to a rocky start with limited availability at weekends and bikes unavailable to hire in Haverfordwest ‘due to required repairs’ is to come under the spotlight next week.
Introduced in April, the bikes – positioned in Fishguard and Goodwick, Haverfordwest and Tenby – proved problematic within weeks when fears of vandalism by revellers and mischief-makers forced the authority to cut down their weekend night time availability hours.
And one disgruntled cyclist found himself with a £57 bill – later refunded – when his E-bike refused to re-start and had to be transported by car.
In June, the council reported that the E-bikes were currently unavailable to hire in Haverfordwest ‘due to required repairs’.
In a post on Facebook, the authority said: “We will update in due course when they have been returned and are ready to ride.
“The E-bikes remain available for hire at the other project trial sites of Tenby and Fishguard and Goodwick.”
The E-bikes are maintained by the scheme provider, Zipp Mobility, with the trial made possible by funding from South West Wales Metro.
The post attracted more than 60 comments, with a number of people wondering if the repairs are needed because of vandalism.
Commented one: “Disgusting the way people abuse them…better off not giving them to a lot of people.”
And another said: “It’s amazing how many kids can get on one of them in one go, seeing is believing!”
Another claimed that youngsters ‘have found a way to use them for free’ .
The scheme was also described as ‘a white elephant and ‘a waste of money’.
But it is not without its fans.
Pembrokeshire County Council said in May at that the scheme had got off to a ‘fantastic start’ and one happy E-cyclist posted: “Love these!! Use them a lot.”
In a submitted question to be heard and answered at the October 17 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Rhys Jordan will ask: “Can the Cabinet Member for Resident Services [Cllr Rhys Sinnett] provide usage figures and an update on the progress of the 12-month e-bike scheme that was launched in April of this year?”
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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