A PUBLIC consultation which could lead to the ending of an air quality management scheme in Pembroke and Haverfordwest, brought in after high levels of pollution were recorded back in 2012, has been backed.

At the Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet meeting of January 12, members were recommended to support a six-week public consultation on the proposal to revoke the Haverfordwest and Pembroke Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).

A report for members ahead of the meeting, presented by Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services Cllr Jacob Williams said: “In 2012, Pembrokeshire County Council identified that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were exceeding the national annual mean objective within certain areas of Pembroke (specifically along Main Street) and within sections of Haverfordwest’s main commercial streets.

“The elevated concentrations were attributed primarily to road traffic emissions, particularly in narrow streets where vehicle emissions were less effectively dispersed. Although the number of exceedances was limited, the council had a statutory duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to take action to achieve and maintain compliance with national air quality objectives.

“Consequently, as a precautionary measure, Pembrokeshire County Council formally designated these areas as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).”

It added: “To support the AQMA designations, a comprehensive local monitoring network was established, comprising 48 diffusion tube monitoring stations across both Haverfordwest and Pembroke. Each diffusion tube is tested and replaced on a monthly basis, providing a continuous dataset on ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations to track progress and assess the effectiveness of implemented measures.

“Over several years, measured NO₂ levels have shown a consistent downward trend, reflecting the effectiveness of local emission reduction measures and broader improvements in vehicle technology and fleet composition.”

It says monitoring over the last three years has shown levels to be below national objective and precautionary threshold levels, adding: “On the basis of this sustained compliance and the clear evidence of air quality improvement, Pembrokeshire County Council proposes to revoke both the Haverfordwest and Pembroke AQMAs.”

It stressed: “Although the statutory Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) designations for Haverfordwest and Pembroke have been proposed for revocation; Pembrokeshire County Council will continue to undertake air quality monitoring to ensure that standards are consistently maintained and that public health remains protected.”

Cllr Alistair Cameron said: “This is a good news story, it’s so important for people to breathe good quality air in Pembroke and Haverfordwest.”

He was joined by Leader Cllr Jon Harvey, who represents Pembroke St Mary North, who said: “Modern vehicles are less pollutive than previous ones, it’s a good news story.”

FOUR wards at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli have been temporarily closed and visiting restrictions introduced after cases of norovirus were confirmed on the site and in the wider community.

Hywel Dda University Health Board said the measures came into force on Tuesday (Jan 13) and apply to the whole hospital, even though four wards are currently affected.

Visiting has been limited to essential visits only, with the health board asking members of the public not to attend the hospital “until further notice”. Essential visiting may be permitted in exceptional circumstances, and families are being advised to contact wards directly or the hospital switchboard for guidance.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and outbreaks often lead to ward closures to help prevent further spread.

Sharon Daniel, Hywel Dda’s Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience said: “We have taken the decision to restrict all but essential visiting to Prince Philip Hospital in order to keep patients and staff safe and to halt the spread of norovirus, which is currently circulating in our local community.

“I know this will be difficult for those who have loved ones in hospital and we will re-open the wards as soon as it is safe to do so. Please keep an eye on our website or social media for further updates.”

The health board said other hospital sites across Hywel Dda are operating as normal, but urged people not to visit friends and relatives if they have symptoms of flu, sickness or diarrhoea, and to wear a face covering when attending clinical sites.

Ms Daniel added: “You should only come to our sites if you are feeling well. This helps us limit the spread of viruses and protect our most vulnerable patients. It also helps us to keep staff well, so that they can look after those in greatest need of our care.”

Hywel Dda also encouraged eligible people to take up flu vaccinations, and said information on flu jabs — including RSV and COVID-19 boosters where applicable — is available via the health board’s website or its vaccination helpline.

For further information, the public can call 0300 303 8322 (option one) or email [email protected].

A PETITION signed by more than 4,000 people has thrust Wales’ breast cancer screening programme into the spotlight amid low take-up and “massive” disparities across the country.

On Monday January 12, Senedd Members considered the 4,254-signature petition on improving the national Breast Test Wales screening programme run by Public Health Wales.

The Senedd’s petitions committee heard only 69% of women invited for screening attended their appointment in 2022/23, below a 70% minimum standard and an 80% target.

The petitioners wrote: “If the 80% target was met, 15,871 more women would have been screened and an estimated 154 more breast cancers detected.”

Breast Cancer Now, which organised the petition, pointed to latest uptake data for the UK – showing England at 70%, Northern Ireland at 74% and Scotland at 75%.

Highlighting an awareness campaign launched in England in 2025, the charity urged the Welsh Government to similarly promote potentially life-saving breast screening.

Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle was taken aback: “I would say this is certainly the most alarming statistic I have read in possibly the past 35-40 years I’ve been involved in politics.

“To think that 15,000 women are walking around Wales not being screened and 154 of those women probably have early signs of breast cancer is alarming.

“And we have to send out a 999 message to women in all corners of Wales: please use this facility, it is absolutely vital. If this facility was taken away, we would probably have demonstrators outside this building – and rightly so.”

Calling for a communications campaign to save lives, Caerphilly MS Mr Whittle added: “The low take-up in many areas of Wales is a matter of national concern.”

He urged colleagues on the cross-party petitions committee to write to health secretary Jeremy Miles, seeking answers on breast cancer screening.

The politician questioned: “What is England doing differently to Wales because they seem to be more successful? Well, that shouldn’t be right obviously.”

Mr Whittle stressed: “We have to ensure that women’s lives are protected and they’re given this help as fast as possible. Early detection is vital.”

Vaughan Gething, the former First Minister and health secretary, supported calls to ask the Welsh Government for an update on plans for a new wider screening equity strategy.

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the committee, explained people continue to go every three years if they attend their first screening, “so it’s getting them there in the first place”.

Ms Thomas, who had to rearrange her own appointment last week due to a family medical emergency, said early detection could save the NHS as much as £100m.

A Public Health Wales report showed significant disparities, with uptake ranging from more than 70% in Carmarthenshire to 40% on Anglesey in 2021/22.

Rhys ab Owen, who sits as an independent, suggested a debate in the main chamber but recognised the clock was ticking on the Senedd term with an election in May.

He said: “I was unaware of this issue before the petition and I’d be very interested to know the reason behind the difference between different local authorities. There must be a reason: why is Ynys Môn so low at 40%? It’s a massive outlier.”

The committee agreed to write to health secretary Jeremy Miles about the forthcoming screening equity strategy and the use of 11 mobile centres in Wales.

Breast Cancer Now also expressed concerns about delays in data reporting, with a 2023/24 annual report set to be published a year after the equivalent English data.

The charity stressed: “Timely annual statistical reporting, in line with the timescale of other UK nations, increases transparency and accountability within Wales’ breast screening programme, and supports evidence-based decision making and long-term planning.”

In an earlier letter to the committee, Mr Miles told the committee uptake rates can vary across regions, age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds.

He wrote: “The reasons women choose not to take up the offer are complex. Factors may include lack of awareness, fear or anxiety about the screening process and results, cultural and language barriers, access issues, and the impact of misinformation.

“We are committed to maximising breast screening uptake across all communities, recognising its vital role in early cancer detection and improved outcomes.”