News

Sea levels threaten Pembrokeshire coast

Published

11 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

First Minister challenged over ‘£9bn cost’ of 20mph speed limit policy

Published

15 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A REFORM Wales MS launched a sharp attack on the Welsh Government’s default 20mph speed limit policy during an exchange with the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday.

South Wales East regional MS Laura Anne Jones criticised the policy, arguing that it has damaged the Welsh economy and ignored public opposition.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Jones said improvements in vehicle safety had already contributed to a reduction in road casualties across the UK.

“Road casualties have gone down right across the United Kingdom because cars are getting safer. It is a known fact,” she told the Senedd.

She went on to question the economic impact of the Welsh Government’s 20mph policy, claiming official analysis suggests it could cost the Welsh economy around £9 billion.

“It needs to be asked: has this ill thought out policy already cost our country a lot of money? Yes. Will it cost an awful lot to reverse? Yes. But how much has it cost our Welsh economy? By the Government’s own calculations, this has cost £9 billion,” she said.

“So you cannot say it has been a good policy. It has been a disaster from start to finish.”

Ms Jones also referred to the record-breaking Senedd petition calling for the policy to be scrapped, which attracted around 500,000 signatures — the largest petition ever submitted to the Welsh Parliament.

She added that there is broad agreement that 20mph limits should apply in specific locations.

“No one across this Chamber disagrees that 20mph should be the case outside schools and hospitals and where it is appropriate. It is disingenuous to say anything else.

“But this default 20mph policy needs to be reversed.”

Reform Wales has pledged to scrap the default 20mph speed limit if elected at the next Senedd election, scheduled for May 7.

Community

Rail upgrades to improve journeys on Whitland to Pembroke Dock line

Published

15 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Buses to replace trains for one week as engineers carry out track work and Tenby station accessibility improvements

PASSENGERS travelling on the railway between Whitland and Pembroke Dock will face temporary disruption later this month while major engineering works are carried out to improve the line and upgrade facilities at Tenby Station.

Network Rail has confirmed that buses will replace trains for one week from Monday, March 16, while essential work takes place across the route.

The railway between Whitland and Pembroke Dock will be closed from 11:00pm on Sunday (March 15) until 5:45am on Saturday (March 21), allowing engineers to safely complete a programme of track renewal and maintenance works.

The upgrades form part of Network Rail’s ongoing investment in the West Wales line, aimed at improving reliability while also delivering accessibility improvements for passengers using Tenby Station.

Track renewal and maintenance

During the closure, engineers will carry out track renewal work between Whitland and Narberth, alongside a range of maintenance tasks across the route.

Planned works include vegetation management, fencing repairs, level crossing maintenance, and inspections of earthworks and other railway infrastructure.

Network Rail says the work is designed to strengthen the long-term reliability and resilience of the railway for the communities and passengers who depend on the line.

Accessibility improvements at Tenby

At the same time, significant accessibility improvements will take place at Tenby Station through the UK Government’s Access for All programme.

The project will eventually deliver a fully accessible footbridge with lifts, making it easier for disabled passengers, those with reduced mobility, parents with pushchairs and travellers carrying luggage to move between platforms.

As part of the work, the existing footbridge will be demolished overnight on Saturday, March 14.

A temporary scaffold footbridge will then be installed the same weekend to ensure passengers can continue to access both platforms.

Further construction activity will take place between March 16 and March 21 while the railway line is closed.

Travel advice for passengers

During the engineering works, replacement buses will operate instead of trains between Whitland and Pembroke Dock.

Passengers are being urged to check their journeys in advance and allow extra time for travel.

The latest journey information is available on the National Rail website and through Transport for Wales’ website and mobile app.

Mark Dix, Lead Portfolio Manager at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “These track upgrades and supporting works are essential to maintaining a safe and reliable railway for passengers across West Wales, while the improvements at Tenby Station will make a real difference for passengers who rely on step-free access.

“We would like to thank passengers, residents and local businesses for their patience while we carry out this important work.”

Crime

Driver caught with three illegal drugs in system on way to MOT test

Published

15 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Tenby stop check revealed cocaine and cannabis in motorist’s blood

ATTEMPTS to take his vehicle for its annual MOT has backfired after the vehicle’s owner was found to be driving with a cocktail of illegal drugs in his system.

Bradley Bostock, 27, was stopped by officers on December 16 as he drove his Ford Fiesta along Heywood Lane, Tenby.

But further investigations by officers confirmed he had 108 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system together with 17 mcg of cocaine and 2.4 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The legal limits are 50, 10 and 2 respectively.

“There’s no detail of the rationale behind why he was stopped, but three drugs were noted in his blood,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan when Bostock appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Bostock pleaded guilty to three charges of drug driving and was represented in court by Jess Hill.

“He was taking his vehicle to Tenby for an MOT that day but was stopped by officers for a stop check,” she said.

“He’s from Yorkshire and often feels isolated here as he has no family and uses drugs to help deal with his loneliness.”

Bostock, of Corston Cottages, Axton Hill, Pembroke was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 90 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.