News

Sea levels threaten Pembrokeshire coast

Published

10 years ago

November 28, 2014

ON TUESDAY (Oct 28), BBC Cymru-Wales’ Week In Week Out programme covered the threat posed to the Welsh coastline by rising sea levels and the lack of budget available to continue to defend under-threat communities. A BBC spokesperson said “Each of the 48 areas along the coast in Wales have different timescales that estimate when properties are at risk of being lost to the sea. And while the plans are based on scientifi c estimates of future events the impact on home owners is likely to be immediate.” Next week, PCCC is to look at its own strategy on the future of those coastal communities under threat in Pembrokeshire. Bridgend council accepted the shoreline plan almost two years ago.

It told Week In-Week Out it did follow communication guidelines to let people know, and will work with the residents on fl ood defences and coastal change. But a number of Newton residents whose homes are at risk said they knew nothing of the plan or the threat to their homes until Week In Week Out contacted them. However, it appears that communication is a common problem for local authorities. Emyr Williams, a coastal engineer from Pembrokeshire County Council, stated that when a public meeting was called to discuss the council’s managed withdrawal from see wall maintenance along The Strand, no Saundersfoot residents turned up.

The programme made particularly grim viewing for residents and businesses on The Strand in Saundersfoot, as the council’s coastal engineer revealed that the Council anticipated the loss of The Strand to the waves. The Pembrokeshire Herald has taken the opportunity to look at the West Wales Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), to which the council is a key contributor, and has uncovered a worrying picture around the Pembrokeshire coast. The report states: “With increased sea level many of the transport issues will increase, most particularly at Newgale, but also at Little Haven, Broad Haven and Solva.

As sea level rises there would be substantially greater pressure for the coast to roll back with disruption to natural defences at Newgale and the potential for increased loss of beaches where man made defences are in place. Increased risk of fl ooding would also occur to many of the other smaller communities.” The original Shoreline Management Plan suggested that further consideration be given to defence of the coastal road at Settlands, between Little Haven and Broad Haven. The southern part of Pembrokeshire and the Haven Waterway is similarly threatened.

Natural Resources Wales note that Dale, Amroth and Tenby are at signifi cant risk of sea fl ooding and that steps are being taken now to reduce the risk to properties. It seems inevitable, however, that regardless of the short term measures taken to alleviate the effects of fl ooding, the long-term prognosis for Pembrokeshire’s coastal communities is uncertain. In Amroth, in particular, the threat is stark with the policy being to hold the line for as long as possible through maintaining the existing defences to ensure that the risk of erosion is managed, but not to improve the standard of fl ood protection.

Once the defences fail, the shoreline will be allowed to naturally evolve and retreat through no active intervention, with broadly the same policy adopted for the entire coastal area from Amroth all the way round to Saundersfoot, affecting the settlements at Wiseman’s Bridge and Coppett Hall. The plans are due to wind out over periods of time ranging from 0-20 years to – most commonly- 20-50 years. However, that does not mean that defences will be maintained for the whole of that period but that by the end of those periods realignment will have taken place, including but not limited to the redirection of transport links and what is described as ‘relocation’.

Coastal engineer Greg Guthrie said: “There are places where we are saying that continuing to defend is basically daft, that we are actually building up, stacking up problems for the future. We have an opportunity – highlighted by the Shoreline Management Plans – to highlight those areas and say now, while we still have time, we can plan how we get out of the dead-end that we are driving ourselves into.” The new Minister for Natural Resources, Carl Sargeant, claims the Welsh Government has spent £300m on fl ood defences since 2011, but it will be diffi cult to justify defending some areas in future. When asked if people affected would be compensated he said each case would have to be examined individually.

News

Fire fighters respond to dangerous structure incident in Johnston

Published

37 seconds ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AT 8:28am on Friday (Jan 24), a crew from Haverfordwest Fire Station responded to a dangerous structure incident on Vine Road, Johnston.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to address roof ridge tiles hanging precariously from a two-storey domestic property over a public pavement.

A full road closure was implemented while firefighters used a turntable ladder to safely remove the tiles and secure the area.

The pavement and road have since reopened. The crew left the scene at 9:28am.

News

County councillor warns of dangerous and illegal E-scooter use in Haverfordwest

Published

60 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A COUNTY councillor in Haverfordwest has raised concerns about the dangerous actions of individuals using e-scooters in the town centre. Cllr David Bryan says that complaints from residents about the misuse of these devices have become a daily occurrence, highlighting the risks posed to pedestrians and road users alike.

According to Cllr Bryan, riders—both youngsters and adults—have been observed engaging in reckless behaviour, such as riding against the flow of traffic on one-way streets like High Street and Quay Street, as well as using pedestrian areas and pavements on Bridge Street and Riverside. Such actions put vulnerable residents, particularly older people and those who are hard of hearing, at significant risk.

“E-scooters ridden in pedestrian areas, on pavements, and against the flow of road traffic are not only dangerous but are also illegal,” the councillor said. “The only lawful way to use an e-scooter is on private land with the landowner’s permission.”

The councillor also criticised retailers for failing to adequately inform customers about the legal restrictions surrounding e-scooters at the point of purchase. “The lack of responsibility by sellers is extremely poor,” they added.

Police crackdown on E-Scooter misuse

Dyfed-Powys Police are conducting an operation to tackle the issue. Efforts include educating riders through school visits and other outreach initiatives, as well as seizing and impounding e-scooters that are being ridden illegally in public spaces.

Residents are urged to report instances of illegal e-scooter use by calling 101, providing details such as location and time to assist police investigations. CCTV footage may then be used to identify offenders.

Cllr Bryan concluded: “By working together, we can address this anti-social behaviour and make our town centre safer for everyone.”

News

Consultation launched on changes to Library Service

Published

1 hour ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a consultation about proposed changes to the Library Service.

The public is asked for feedback on proposed changes to Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Libraries.

Following a Library Needs Assessment last summer which asked the public about their library needs and about ways to reduce running costs as part of Council-wide savings requirements, it became clear that respondents did not support closing libraries, replacing staff with 24/7 access technology or reducing the book fund.

More support was given to reducing costs by co-locating or downsizing libraries, working with volunteers or reducing opening hours.

Working on the basis of a potential 20% savings requirement for the Library Service, the following changes are proposed:

Milford Haven Library: either to relocate the library to a smaller/cheaper premises or establish a Community Managed Partnership at the current library.

A Public Meeting will be held on Monday 3^rd February 2025, starting at 6.30pm at Milford Haven Library to outline how the option to establish a Community Managed partnership would work. All are welcome to attend.

Pembroke Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by eight hours per week.
Pembroke Dock Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by seven hours per week. We are also looking at options to share the library space with a third-party to reduce premises costs.

To take part in the consultations, please follow the links below.

Customers often use more than one library, so please feel free to take part in any / all of the surveys.

Paper copies of the consultations are available at each of the three libraries.

The paper surveys will remain in place until 5pm, on 17th February 2025, when the consultations will close.

The online survey will also close at the same time.

Should the Library Service savings requirement go up or down from 20% following the Council budget meeting on February 20th, a fresh consultation in relation to any additional or different proposals for change will be made.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The Library Needs Assessment last year has helped shape the current proposals in a way that avoids library closures and some of the other negative impacts that the respondents told us they were against.

“Given the difficult financial situation impacting the Council we have tried to create proposals that strike a balance that continues to providing a much loved library service while also providing savings.

“Please take the time to fill in the surveys and provide feedback on the proposals ahead of decisions being taken.

“For those who use Milford Haven Library please also take up the opportunity to attend the public meeting on Monday 3^rd February 2025, at 6.30pm.”