A PEDESTRIAN walking his dog has died after being struck in a hit-and-run collision on a Carmarthenshire road on Monday (December 23).

The incident occurred in Llanpumsaint, near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel, between 6:45pm and 7:45pm.

The road remains closed, and police are urgently appealing for information to locate the driver of a blue vehicle believed to have fled the scene.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are actively searching for the driver of a blue vehicle with noticeable damage, which was involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire. The driver left the scene, and locating them is now our top priority.

“We are appealing directly to the driver to do the right thing and come forward. Additionally, we urge anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.

“This collision, which tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian, happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm on Monday, December 23, as the man was walking his dog.

“Our investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling northbound through Llanpumsaint at the time of the incident.”

The road is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries continue. Police stress that any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in identifying and locating the driver. Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council is calling on residents to share their views on the upcoming budget as it faces significant financial pressures.

The consultation, open until January 5, aims to identify which services are most valued by the community and where savings could be made.

An update on the provisional funding settlement from the Welsh Government was presented to the full council last week. Councillor Joshua Beynon, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiencies, noted that while the 3.6% increase—equating to an additional £8.1 million—was more favourable than expected, it still leaves a funding gap of approximately £28.1 million.

Councillor Beynon said: “Difficult decisions lie ahead despite the improved settlement. We need to prioritise services that matter most to our residents.”

Detailed reports on the settlement’s impact and the projected funding shortfall will be discussed by the cabinet and scrutiny committees early next year, before being presented to the full council in February.

Residents can have their say by completing an online response form available on the council’s website. A budget modelling tool is also provided for public use.

Paper copies of the response form can be requested by calling 01437 764551 or emailing [email protected].

All responses must be submitted by January 5.

HOLYHEAD port faces an extended closure following significant storm damage, with fears it may not reopen until March. The disruption has caused widespread consequences for trade, travel, and postal services across the Irish Sea.

The Terminal 3 berth, used by Irish Ferries, sustained extensive damage during Storm Darragh earlier this month. Drone footage revealed a ‘dolphin’ platform had fallen into the sea, exacerbating the situation and impacting the adjoining terminal used by Stena Line.

Currently, all sailings are suspended until January 15, though experts warn this date may be overly optimistic. Garrett Bridgeman, managing director of An Post, Ireland’s national postal service, said: “I don’t think January 15 looks like the date. If you look at the level of work that needs to be done and the safety checks required afterwards, February or March seems more realistic.”

Stena Line stated their priority remains resuming operations safely, while the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is conducting an inquiry into the incident. A spokesperson for MAIB confirmed inspectors are reviewing evidence to understand the circumstances that led to the damage.

The Welsh Government has implemented contingency plans, with additional sailings arranged from Wales and the Mersey area despite challenging weather conditions. Welsh Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “This is a challenge we have never faced before, but we’ll continue working with UK and Irish governments to support businesses and travellers.”

Increased pressure on Fishguard and Pembroke ports

With Holyhead out of action, Pembrokeshire’s ports—Fishguard and Pembroke Dock—are facing increased pressure to handle additional sailings. Stena Line and Irish Ferries have already announced extra services from these ports to help ease the disruption.

Irish Ferries has confirmed it will launch a new service from Fishguard, while Pembroke Dock is also experiencing heightened activity with extra crossings scheduled. Passengers and freight operators are urged to check ferry company websites for the latest updates.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates praised the efforts of ferry operators and local authorities in managing the surge in activity at Pembrokeshire’s ports. “Both Fishguard and Pembroke Dock are playing a crucial role in maintaining the flow of goods and passengers across the Irish Sea during this unprecedented disruption,” he said.

Local authorities and Transport for Wales are working to ensure traffic flows smoothly around these ports, with additional measures in place to minimise congestion and delays.

Meanwhile, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has expressed growing frustration with the lack of clear communication from Holyhead Port authorities. IRHA President Ger Hyland said: “We need correct and true information with a definite timeline. The piecemeal updates have been unhelpful.”

Hyland highlighted the financial toll on hauliers, with some operators facing losses of up to €3,000 per vehicle weekly. He urged ferry companies to increase their efforts to ease the crisis and called on the Irish government to explore financial compensation for affected businesses.

The situation has been escalated to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with calls for direct intervention to expedite repairs and alternative arrangements. Minister of State James Lawless, who met with haulage industry leaders, acknowledged the urgent need for clarity and support.

With Pembrokeshire ports now under increased strain, stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, awaiting updates from Stena Line in mid-January.