News

Power failure at Heathrow causes chaos for Welsh travellers

Published

12 months ago

March 21, 2025

London airport shutdown sparks flight disruption, missed connections, and infrastructure review

THE UK’S busiest airport, London Heathrow, was forced to close after a major power failure on Thursday night (Mar 20), causing widespread flight cancellations and severe travel disruption for Welsh passengers and businesses.

A fire at an electrical substation in Hayes, West London, knocked out both primary and backup electricity supplies to the airport, which handles around 1,300 flights per day. The disruption is expected to last for several days, with no confirmed timeline for a full reopening.

***A fire at electrical substation in Hayes, West London, knocked out both primary and backup electricity***

Welsh passengers stranded or delayed

While Heathrow is not served directly by flights from Cardiff or other Welsh airports, thousands of Welsh residents rely on the airport for long-haul travel, including business trips, holidays, and family connections.

Passengers from Wales travelling via train or coach to Heathrow faced cancelled flights and diversions across the UK and Europe. Some international flights destined for Heathrow were rerouted to Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, and European airports including Brussels and Paris.

Several travellers from West Wales told The Herald they were left “stranded” at Reading and Paddington after trains were cancelled or redirected. One passenger, travelling from Carmarthen to catch a connecting flight to Canada, said they were now facing a 48-hour delay and an unexpected overnight stay in London.

***The disruption caused by the power sub station blaze is expected to cost millions***

Airport infrastructure questioned

The fire began at around 11:00pm on Thursday night and quickly spread through a transformer containing 25,000 litres of cooling oil. Firefighters remained at the scene on Friday afternoon, with 10% of the blaze still active.

Heathrow’s backup power systems failed to restore full operations. A spokesperson for the airport said the emergency generators are designed to maintain safety systems only, not to power the entire site.

The failure has prompted serious questions over the resilience of key national infrastructure.

Professor Tim Green, an electrical engineering expert at Imperial College London, said: “It is highly unusual for both primary and backup systems to fail at an airport of this size.”

Disruption to business and freight

The closure has also impacted Welsh businesses that rely on air freight through Heathrow, including medical suppliers and exporters of high-value goods.

Freight forwarding firms based in Deeside, Swansea, and Newport said delays in shipments could affect supply chains for days. Some perishable cargo has already been rerouted through East Midlands Airport and Birmingham.

Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, estimated that the closure could be costing the travel industry over £20 million a day. “This sort of failure should never happen at a strategic UK transport hub,” he said.

Government and Ofgem announce reviews

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that both the main and reserve power supplies failed. A third transformer is being brought online, but no estimate has been given for when full service will resume.

The energy regulator Ofgem has launched an urgent review. Akshay Kaul, Ofgem’s infrastructure director, said: “We must get to the bottom of this failure and ensure it can’t happen again.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that their Counter-Terrorism Command is leading the investigation due to the site’s national infrastructure importance, though there is no evidence of foul play at this stage.

Legal uncertainty for affected passengers

Under UK and EU rules, passengers may be entitled to compensation if an airline is at fault—but not for infrastructure failures like this one.

Most airlines have issued rebooking offers or full refunds, but many passengers are still waiting for alternative flights. Legal experts say disputes over liability between airlines, the airport, and energy providers are likely.

Travellers from Wales with upcoming flights via Heathrow are being urged to check with their airline before travelling and to consider alternative airports.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.