Community

Ludchurch petition for vital bus route to be established

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PETITION call to establish a regular bus service from the Pembrokeshire village of Ludchurch to Narberth was heard by county councillors last week.

The e-petition, on Pembrokeshire County council’s own website, by Ryan O’Shea of The Ludchurch Village Committee, asked: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to implement a minimum of one daily bus service connecting our village to Narberth. This essential service would significantly enhance the quality of life for our residents by providing much needed access to other destinations such as Tenby and Haverfordwest.

“Ludchurch is a small rural village and many of our residents face difficulties in accessing essential services, employment opportunities, and social activities due to the lack of public transportation. A subsidised daily bus service would not only alleviate these challenges but also contribute to the overall well-being and inclusivity of our community.

“We believe that by offering this service, the council would be supporting the mobility and independence of our residents, fostering greater community cohesion, and contributing to a more sustainable and connected Pembrokeshire.”

After meeting the threshold for consideration, the petition was heard at the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Speaking at the meeting, Mr O’Shea said the village had no shop, post office, or access to a mobile library, and had not had access to a regular bus service for a number of years, asking for a reinstatement of a service, which he said would help social isolation as well as increased employment opportunities for residents and free younger residents “from a dependence on family and friends”.

He said the two-plus miles walk to the nearest bus services, at Summerhill and Princes Gate, on unlit routes without a pavement was “a significant safety concern,” with a Flecsi Bus service not available, and a once-a-week dial-a-bus scheme run from Narberth’s Bloomfield not addressing the community’s needs.

He suggested three ways of addressing the issue: By extending one of the nearby services to include Ludchurch, by enhancing the Narberth-based service, or by improving pedestrian access to the nearest services.

Members heard from Cabinet Member for Residents Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett the Flecsi service was viewed as the best way forward, constrained by funding and no previous offers to tender for the route; the option of re-routing other services adversely affecting timetables.

He reiterated council financial considerations: “As part of the budget for the forthcoming financial year we have had to take an £80,000 reduction in the bus service budget to make our costs and sums add up.

Committee member Cllr Rhys Jordan said he sympathised with Ludchurch, but said many of the county’s rural areas were disconnected from a service; fellow councillor, and committee chair, Cllr Mark Carter adding: “It’s certainly a desirable thing to have but there must be 30 or 40 villages that have the same.”

Local member – and former council leader – Cllr David Simpson said he had been a local county councillor for 20 years and supported the idea, but neither he nor the local community council had “had any approach for a bus service,” adding: “To get this on board in this day and age would cost a lot of money.”

Members resolved the petition be noted along with the Aspirational Bus Network for Pembrokeshire, which is being developed as part of bus franchising, including the expansion and enhancement of Fflecsi services to ensure all rural settlements, including Ludchurch, have access to a daily local bus service.

Business

New facilities at Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club agreed

Published

1 day ago

May 23, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL by a Pembrokeshire shooting club for more disability-friendly facilities has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club, through agent Andrew Sutton Architecture, sought permission for an extension to existing target shooting club building at The Firing Range, Withybush Road, Haverfordwest to improve accessibility and internal facilities, together with associated landscaping works.

A supporting statement said: “The club’s own published history states it was founded in 1968, moved from the Drill Hall to the old wartime airfield butts at Withybush by the early 1970s, and had developed facilities over time, including the clubhouse by 1999. The established leisure/community use has existed on the site for a number of years and the proposal does not seek to intensify the core activity beyond that already authorised/established.”

It added: “The primary objective of the scheme is to improve inclusive access to the club’s facilities for disabled users and those with reduced mobility. The internal arrangement will provide adequate entrance and lobby space, clear accessible routes and appropriately designed sanitary accommodation, including an accessible wetroom/shower and separate WC.”

It also said accessible parking and surfacing designed to provide a firm, even, slip-resistant route from parking to the principal entrance.

It added: “The Equality Act 2010 places duties on service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that people with additional access needs are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.

“The proposal is therefore a positive enhancement to a community/leisure facility and supports wider policy objectives for inclusive environments.”

It went on to say: “The club operates within a highly controlled environment, and the proposed works will maintain and enhance safety and security measures.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Community

RNLI urges beachgoers to stay safe as warm weather hits Wales

Published

1 day ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Lifesaving charity warns of cold water shock risk despite rising temperatures

THE RNLI is urging people planning trips to the coast over the Bank Holiday weekend to choose lifeguarded beaches and follow essential water safety advice as warm weather draws crowds to the seaside.

With temperatures expected to rise across Wales, the lifesaving charity has warned that, although conditions may appear ideal, the sea remains dangerously cold and poses a serious risk of cold water shock.

The RNLI says the safest place to swim is between the red and yellow flags at lifeguarded beaches.

In Pembrokeshire, RNLI lifeguards will be on patrol at Whitesands, Newgale Central and Tenby South Beach throughout the May half-term, operating daily between 10:00am and 6:00pm.

Other lifeguarded beaches across Wales include Langland, Caswell, Aberavon, Pembrey, Three Cliffs and Port Eynon in Swansea; Barry Island, Coney Beach, Trecco Bay and Rest Bay in Bridgend; Llangrannog and Borth in Ceredigion; and Rhyl and Prestatyn in Denbighshire.

The RNLI is encouraging anyone unable to visit a lifeguarded beach to check local conditions before setting off, including tide times, weather forecasts and any safety signage.

Chris Cousins, the RNLI’s Regional Water Safety Lead, said: “There will likely be a huge number of people visiting the coast this weekend and we want everyone to remember Float to Live advice, which could save lives.

“Instinctively, most people who find themselves struggling in the water will begin to gasp, panic and try to swim or thrash about.

“We’re urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally, and move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if needed.”

He added that practising floating in a supervised setting, such as a swimming pool, could help prepare people in case they find themselves in difficulty.

‘Phone, Float, Throw’

The RNLI is also reminding the public to remember the “Phone, Float, Throw” guidance if they see someone struggling in the water.

People are advised to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard, encourage the casualty to float on their back, and throw something buoyant to them, such as a life ring.

The charity recently relaunched its “Float to Live” campaign, citing new research suggesting younger adults, particularly Generation Z, may underestimate the dangers posed by the coast.

According to the RNLI, there were 193 accidental drowning deaths in the UK in 2024, with men accounting for 84 per cent of fatalities. Men aged between 20 and 29 represented the highest risk group.

The RNLI’s beach lifeguard service is marking its 25th anniversary this year.

For more information on staying safe at the coast, visit the RNLI’s Float to Live campaign.

Community

Protest planned outside police station calling for Chief Constable’s removal

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Campaigners accuse Dyfed-Powys Police of failing to safeguard children in Carmarthenshire

A PROTEST calling for the removal of Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis is due to take place outside Llanelli Police Station this weekend.

The demonstration, organised by campaign group Predator Awareness and activist Zack Griffiths, is scheduled for Saturday (May 23) at 11:00am.

Promotional material shared online claims the protest is being held because the current Chief Constable has “failed to safeguard the children of Carmarthenshire”.

Campaigners are urging members of the public to gather outside Llanelli Police Station under the slogan: “No more silence. No more excuses. Protect our children.”

The specific concerns behind the protest have not been fully outlined publicly, although organisers have linked it to wider safeguarding concerns.

When approached by The Herald, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were aware of the planned demonstration.

***Protest planned: Campaigners are calling for the removal of Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis (Pic: supplied).***

A police spokesperson said: “We are aware of plans for a protest in Llanelli this weekend.

“We will always seek to facilitate lawful peaceful protest while balancing it with the rights of others, keeping the public safe, and preventing crime and disorder — and we encourage anyone organising a protest to contact us so we can work together to ensure any demonstrations are done safely and with respect for the wider community.”

The protest is expected to take place outside Llanelli Police Station on Saturday morning.