News
Portfield School partially closed due to staff shortages
HAVERFORDWEST’s Portfield School is partially closed today (Oct 24) due to staff shortages. The closure affects the Skomer class, which remains shut for the day as the school struggles with a significant lack of staff.
The school has apologised for the inconvenience caused to students and parents. Other classes remain open, and the school is working to manage the situation.
Crime
Young driver drove off after crashing into petrol pump
A YOUNG driver has admitted failing to stop following a crash at a petrol station.
Charlie Simpson, 19, of St Faith’s, Lamphey, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, facing charges for two offences.
The court heard that on February 24, Simpson, then 18, crashed a Ford Fiesta at Lamphey Service Station, causing damage to a petrol pump.
He was charged with driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after the collision.
Simpson pleaded guilty to both offences on October 16.
He was fined £120 for each offence, ordered to pay £110 in costs, and a £96 surcharge. Additionally, he received eight penalty points on his licence and a nine-month driving ban for accumulating too many points.
Crime
Police appeal for information after assault reported in Pembroke Dock
PEMBROKE Dock police are appealing for information following an assault that took place in Spring View, Pembroke Dock, on Wednesday (Oct 16) between 3:15pm and 3:45pm.
Police are urging anyone with information that could assist in their enquiries to come forward. Those who can help are asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via their website, by emailing [email protected], sending a direct message on social media, or calling 101.
Please quote reference number 24000883740 when providing information.
News
Welsh Government addresses safety concerns following train collision
SAFETY remains the priority after a train collision in Powys this week, the Welsh Government has said.
Speaking in the Senedd, Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “In terms of the safety of the rail network, this is our prime concern: that the network is as safe as it can be.
“These incidents are exceptionally rare. Rail travel is still incredibly safe compared with other means of travel.
“At this moment in time, though, I would encourage the travelling public to plan ahead if they intend to use this particular route and to use the bus services instead whilst this investigation takes place on the ground.”
With the A470 trunk road temporarily closed to facilitate investigations, local diversions have been set up to manage traffic.
Joyce Watson MS highlighted the impact of the closure, saying: “Many people will be affected, whether that’s schoolchildren trying to go to school or people trying to go to hospital.
“Those people will be very anxious to know which routes to take. So, I’m asking whether that information is available in what is a very rural area.”
Cefin Campbell MS echoed the concerns, noting the upcoming challenges: “At the end of this month, the highway, the A470, is going to be closed for around ten weeks near Talerddig, which is very close to the site of the accident, and advice was given to travellers and to parents of pupils to use the train either to go to school or to get to whatever destination they were seeking to arrive at.”
Mr. Skates responded to these concerns, explaining that Rail Accident Investigation Branch officials are currently examining the site. “It is an extensive area that they are covering at the moment, which is why we believe that it could be several days before services resume,” he said. He added that the government hopes to minimize disruption and resume services in time to prevent further impact on local plans.
The Minister concluded: “We will endeavour to ensure that the lessons that need to be learned from this incident are learned as soon as possible. But we are in the hands of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, and I just want to impress the point once again: we do wish to ensure that they are given the space and the time to be able to carry out a thorough investigation.”
Investigators are examining several factors that may have contributed to the incident, including possible leaf contamination on the tracks, signaling system issues, and braking effectiveness. A comprehensive report is expected in the coming months, offering further insights into the causes and recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future.
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