News
St Davids Day message the Secretary of State for Wales

A MESSAGE FROM JO STEVENS
For the first time as Welsh Secretary, I’m delighted to be able to wish everyone across West Wales a happy St David’s Day.
Following the election last July, we promised to deliver change and that is what we have begun to do.
We pledged safer streets, green energy and, above all, new jobs and economic growth. Underpinning all of this was the promise of a transformed relationship between the UK and Welsh Governments – a partnership that delivers for the people of Wales.
Above all, our mission is to kickstart economic growth.

In West Wales we have already seen significant investment into the local economy. We’ve given the green light for the Celtic Freeport covering Milford Haven and Port Talbot, which will unlock millions in private investment and galvanise thousands of jobs in the area.
Supported by £26m in UK Government funding, the Freeport will encourage growth and investment by creating tax and customs incentives for business.
The Swansea Bay City Deal is delivering for the region. Just weeks after the General Election I joined First Minister Eluned Morgan and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to open the £60m Pembroke Dock Marine development which has transformed facilities at the port.
City Deal projects like the Pentre Awel health care and research development in Llanelli are hugely exciting while communities like Laugharne, Llangwm and Nantgaredig are being connected to ultra-fast broadband helping to boost productivity and breaking down barriers to opportunity in those areas.
This is what we mean by driving growth in all of our communities.
The UK Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower also provides huge opportunities for West Wales.
The region is home to a world class clean energy sector with abundant natural resources and the potential to be the powerhouse for economic growth for Wales and the wider UK.
The golden opportunity of floating offshore wind will be a critical part of our clean energy mission and we are working with the Welsh Government and industry partners to develop floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea which could support up to 5,300 new jobs and generate up to £1.4bn for the UK economy. Local ports will be vital for supporting this growing industry.
And the UK Government has identified Pembrokeshire as a pilot area to develop a skilled clean energy workforce, which could see funding for targeted measures such as training centres and courses to upskill workers.
These are the jobs of the future and it was fantastic to meet apprentices at Dragon LNG and Ledwood Engineering when I was in Pembrokeshire recently. My hope is that more young people in West Wales will be able to stay in their home area and develop fantastic careers in the new industries the region is attracting and which the UK Government is supporting.
It is clear that in just a few short months, the new UK Government has made significant strides. Building on our strengths in green energy, industry and, most of all, our people I know West Wales will continue to be a brilliant place to do business.
I’d like to send my best wishes to everyone there celebrating our national day.
News
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED
THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.
The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.
AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.
Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Business
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.
At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.
Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.
Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’
Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.
Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’
To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.
Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
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