HALFORDS extended an offer of interviews to all members of staff affected by the closure of the ATS Euromaster branches in Brecon, Pontypridd and Llanelli

This follows ATS Euromaster’s recent announcement that 86 of its service centres are set to close.

With 639 garages nationwide, including branches in these affected towns, Halfords is one of the UK’s largest employers of automotive technicians. The company services, maintains, and repairs vehicles for 1,400,000 customers annually.

The UK is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified automotive technicians, with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) estimating 20,000 vacancies in the sector.

Halfords remains committed to creating rewarding career pathways, offering opportunities for qualified technicians looking to develop new skills—such as EV servicing—as well as young people entering the industry through apprenticeships.

In addition to supporting ATS employees, Halfords is also stepping in to help customers affected by the closures, ensuring they continue to have access to trusted and competitive automotive services.

Support for ATS customers

To assist those whose bookings are impacted by ATS branch closures, Halfords garages will prioritise MOT and other service bookings originally made with ATS wherever possible, helping customers avoid delays and ensuring their vehicles remain roadworthy.

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with ATS to explore employment opportunities for affected colleagues, while also ensuring that motorists in this part of Wales continue to have access to competitive, convenient, and trusted automotive services,” said Chris Rose, Halfords. Divisional Director

COMMERCIAL fishermen and sea users have voiced their anger over the latest military range activity schedule for Castlemartin Range in 2025, which will see significant restrictions on access to coastal waters.

The schedule, released by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), confirms that military exercises will take place across June, October, and November, with extended firing times drastically limiting the ability of commercial and recreational vessels to navigate the affected sea areas.

According to Huw Baker, Chair of the Freshwater East Boatmen & Fishermen’s Association, the closures will have a devastating financial impact on local inshore fishermen who rely on these waters for their livelihoods.

Mr Baker said: “None of the fishers have been contacted about these increased range activities or the sea area closures. There has been no consultation to discuss alternative access routes that would allow us to continue earning a living. The military has effectively blocked off access during prime fishing months, leaving fishermen struggling to stay financially afloat.”

Under the new schedule, the sea areas off Castlemartin will only be accessible during limited hours—between 3:00am and 8:00am, and again between 6:00pm and 8:00pm—making it near impossible for many commercial fishers to operate efficiently.

“This decision comes at a time when the cost of living is hitting everyone hard,” Mr Baker added. “With weather and tides already limiting access, these additional restrictions from Castlemartin and Manorbier firing ranges mean we’re left with barely any opportunities to work.”

Mr Baker is calling for an urgent meeting with range management to discuss the concerns of the fishing community and explore potential compromises that would allow local businesses to continue operating.

The Herald has contacted the Ministry of Defence for comment.

HOUSEHOLDS in Pembrokeshire and other areas near new or upgraded electricity pylons are set to receive bill discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years, as part of the government’s “Plan for Change.” This initiative, included in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, ensures that communities benefit directly from hosting vital grid infrastructure—critical for the growing renewable energy sector in West Wales.

Under the new legislation, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure will receive electricity bill discounts amounting to £250 per year. This will provide significant financial relief to rural communities while supporting the expansion of the national grid—particularly important for Pembrokeshire as it prepares to accommodate new offshore wind developments in the Celtic Sea.

In addition to bill discounts, new guidance will require developers to fund community projects such as sports clubs, educational programmes, and leisure facilities. The government has emphasized that communities hosting infrastructure should see direct benefits, which will also accelerate the transition to clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Pembrokeshire’s role in clean energy

With major offshore wind farms planned for the Celtic Sea, Pembrokeshire is set to become a central hub for renewable energy, bringing investment and infrastructure upgrades. New transmission network developments will be essential to transport this clean energy across Wales and beyond. Community benefits will help ease local opposition and planning delays that have slowed previous projects.

Building new transmission infrastructure is vital for economic growth, unlocking £40 billion annually in private investment, creating jobs, and securing the UK’s energy future. This investment will also protect consumers from volatile fossil fuel prices, which caused energy bills to spike following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Government commitment to clean energy

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “We owe it to the people of this country to get Britain building again. This is not about whether we build the infrastructure we need, but how we do it in partnership with local communities.

“This government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill will slash energy bills for people living near new projects, ensuring they benefit as we drive forward our mission for a more prosperous and energy-secure future.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband echoed this sentiment, stating: “The only way to make Britain energy secure and bring down bills for good is to end our reliance on fossil fuel markets and replace them with clean, homegrown power.

“As part of this effort, we are delivering on our commitment to ensure communities hosting new infrastructure receive meaningful benefits.”

Industry support

John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, welcomed the announcement, stating:

“It is right that communities see enduring, tangible benefits for hosting transmission infrastructure. We look forward to working with communities to deliver long-lasting and meaningful benefits alongside critical infrastructure.”

James Robottom, head of policy at RenewableUK, added: “We welcome the government’s latest steps to accelerate infrastructure development. Guaranteeing lower electricity bills for local communities is a positive step forward. By bringing communities on board, we can speed up the rollout of essential grid infrastructure and strengthen the UK’s energy security.”

Community investment funds for Pembrokeshire

The new guidance also establishes funding for communities hosting grid infrastructure. For every kilometre of overhead electricity cable, communities could receive £200,000 in funding, while substations could generate up to £530,000 in community investment. This means that areas in West Wales affected by new grid connections for offshore wind farms could see millions in funding for local projects.

Pembrokeshire is already seeing a transformation, with the proposed floating offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea expected to generate thousands of jobs and significantly boost the local economy. Milford Haven, already a major energy port, is set to play a key role in the UK’s renewable energy future, with new grid connections ensuring that power from the Celtic Sea reaches homes and businesses efficiently.

The UK’s electricity grid, originally designed in the 1930s, requires significant upgrades to accommodate renewables. Expanding grid infrastructure will reduce constraint costs—where wind farms are paid to shut down due to a lack of capacity—ultimately lowering energy costs for consumers.

With these measures, Pembrokeshire communities closest to new energy infrastructure will benefit from both clean power and financial savings, reinforcing the region’s position as a leader in the UK’s green energy transition.

The upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill will introduce additional measures to accelerate the UK’s clean power transition, unblocking vital new energy infrastructure projects and ensuring that rural communities, including those in West Wales, benefit from the energy revolution.