Community

Newgale coastal road could be moved inland in £20m project

Published

1 year ago

April 24, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PUBLIC consultation has been launched on the first phase of a potential inland realignment of a Pembrokeshire seaside road which has been hit by heavy flooding.

The consultation is ahead of a formal Pembrokeshire County Council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed and removed, and corresponding reclassification of Newgale Hill and Wood Hill coupled with local access improvements within Newgale.

These will comprise a short access road to existing beach front commercial properties, to be in place for up to ten years, bus stop provisions and turning facilities, and a traffic-free Shared Use Path that will replace part of the Wales Coast Path.

Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020.

In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron, as part of a tour of the UK to “learn lessons” following storms and flooding that year.

The main A487 road was closed for about 14 days after waves breached pebble defences that year, and a Richards Bros bus was stranded in floodwater after it was hit by a high wave, leading to the rescue of around 10 passengers.

In 2018, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed a recommendation, long-term, for an inland highway link for the A487.

A supporting statement through agent AtkinsRéalis says the recommended strategic coastal management policy for Newgale is ‘managed realignment,’ allowing the coastline to move backwards and retreat inland, but with management to control the movement, the shoreline management plan recommending that a policy of ‘no active intervention’ is implemented from 2055, meaning no investment in coastal defence or operations.

The Phase 1 proposals comprise of: Rerouting the Newgale section of the A487 main St Davids to Haverfordwest road. Creating a new walking and cycling path through Newgale. Changing access to the beach and coastal businesses. Releasing space for the beach to adapt to coastal change.

The statement adds: “The village of Newgale and the adjacent coastal stretch of the A487 are affected by flooding from waves overtopping the shingle ridge. During storm events, high waves throw shingle onto the road, which can cause flooding of the land behind. Shingle that has landed on the road, blocks access and causes temporary closure of the road until it can be cleared. The road is maintained by shingle clearance on a regular basis, and during periods when the road has to be closed, this causes significant traffic disruption.”

It says a 2020 report commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council into coastal change at Newgale concluded “that continued efforts to maintain the shingle ridge as a defence is highly likely to be unsustainable beyond 2035, more realistically by 2030,” adding: “Early action is required before the road becomes impassable and unsafe.”

The phase 1 scheme is part of a possible wider Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, with many other potential future works.

An alternative approach, the Newgale Beach Shingle Bank Realignment Scheme (NSBRS) scheme, by Stand Up for Newgale (STUN), had proposed a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres to the seaward leaving an over wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water.

The Pembrokeshire County Council proposals have been previously costed at £20m, with some raising that as high as £40m now, with consultation costs alone to date said to be some £2m.

The Pre-application Consultation runs until May 11, with plans available online; comments may be sent to [email protected] or by post: Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project Team, AtkinsRéalis, Floor 4, West Glamorgan House, 12 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AD.

Community

New women’s support hub opens at Parc Dewi Sant

Published

10 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WOMEN across the Dyfed-Powys area are set to benefit from improved access to specialist support following the opening of a new Women’s Centre Hub at Parc Dewi Sant.

Operated by The Nelson Trust, the hub forms part of the continued development of trauma-informed services for women experiencing multiple disadvantage.

It provides a safe and supportive environment where women can access practical advice, guidance and specialist help to address the challenges they face.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked alongside The Nelson Trust and partners from the Local Criminal Justice Board to support the development of the facility.

The project forms part of the board’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for women throughout the Dyfed-Powys area.

The hub was officially opened on Friday, July 3, bringing together organisations involved in delivering support and recognising the partnership work that helped establish the new service.

Peer support will also play an important role, with volunteers drawing on their own lived experiences to help women facing similar circumstances.

Referrals to the Dyfed-Powys service are currently made through the Community Rehabilitation Service via probation. The hub is not presently accepting self-referrals.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Women experiencing multiple disadvantage deserve access to the right support at the right time.

“By working closely with our partners, we can help ensure that women across our communities are able to access the specialist services they need to address the challenges they face and build safer, more positive futures.

“This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable members of our communities.”

Community

Green Flag flies at Manorbier Community Garden for first time

Published

57 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Volunteer-run garden recognised among record number of award-winning green spaces across Wales

THE DEDICATION of local residents has secured Manorbier Community Garden its first prestigious Green Flag Community Award.

Around 50 people gathered at the garden to celebrate the achievement with food and refreshments before watching the Green Flag being raised.

The award was announced by Keep Wales Tidy as part of the 2026 Green Flag Awards, which recognise the best-managed parks and green spaces across Wales.

A record 330 Welsh sites have met the standards required to fly a Green Flag this year. Of these, 93 received full Green Flag Award status, while 237 volunteer-run spaces were presented with Green Flag Community Awards.

Manorbier Community Garden was recognised for its environmental work, welcoming visitor facilities and strong level of community involvement.

Green Flag Community Awards celebrate high-quality spaces managed largely by volunteers, including community gardens, local nature reserves and other valued neighbourhood sites.

Wales has now secured more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country taking part in the scheme for the third consecutive year. The total has risen from 223 last year to 237 in 2026.

Work on Manorbier Community Garden began in April 2024, transforming an area of scrubland into a flourishing community space in little more than two years.

Led by local couple Ollie and Sian Cromwell, volunteers have built raised beds using repurposed materials and filled them with vegetables, flowers and other plants donated by residents.

Everything is grown organically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and produce from the garden is available for the community to share.

The site also includes a secure chicken enclosure housing six hens, a children’s mud kitchen and spaces where residents can meet, play and enjoy the outdoors.

Pick-a-Pumpkin events have also been organised for local children.

Keep Wales Tidy supported the project by providing food-growing and orchard packages, a metal tool shed and a small polytunnel. Volunteers have since constructed a larger polytunnel using donated materials.

Sian Cromwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received the Green Flag Community Award. It means so much to our community and celebrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision.

“Just over two years ago, this was simply scrubland. Today, it is a thriving and welcoming space, rich in biodiversity and bursting with life.

“There are fresh vegetables for everyone to share, flowers, chickens, a mud kitchen for children and space for people to play, meet and connect.

“The garden belongs to the whole community. We are incredibly proud of how far we have come and warmly invite everyone to play a part in its sustainable future.”

The Green Flag Award scheme was established 30 years ago and now recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in more than 20 countries around the world.

In Wales, the awards are administered by Keep Wales Tidy.

Community

Young players make their move as Pembrokeshire hosts annual chess fixture

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTEEN young chess players put their skills to the test when Pembrokeshire Chess Club welcomed visitors from Castell Nedd to Steynton for their annual summer fixture.

The match, held on Tuesday, July 21, saw players compete across four rounds, with each given 20 minutes on the clock.

Despite the start of the school holidays, the Royal Welsh Show and several late absences, organisers were delighted with the turnout and the high standard of chess on display.

The games were closely contested, particularly on the leading boards, with several decided by only the smallest of margins. Coaches said one of the main lessons from the day was the importance of taking time to consider each move rather than rushing.

Castell Nedd’s Advik Ram produced an impressive unbeaten performance. Pembrokeshire’s Harry Harling held him to a draw in one game before narrowly losing a second encounter during a tightly fought endgame.

Aarush Ram and Jakob Josh-Wright also performed strongly for the visitors.

For Pembrokeshire, Henry Malone and Emily Thomas each secured three points. Jozef Othen and Osian Griffiths collected two-and-a-half points apiece, while Sebastian Kummer finished with two points.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club said it was encouraging to see the standard of play continuing to improve each year and thanked Castell Nedd for making the journey west, with special thanks to Hywel Griffiths for helping to organise the visit.

Home advantage once again proved important, although the club said the greatest benefit was the opportunity for every player to gain experience against new opponents.

Pembrokeshire also recently played a friendly against the newly reformed Narberth Chess Club, giving its adult and junior members an opportunity to compete against different players. A return visit to Steynton is now being planned.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club, which has changed its name during its history, recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its formation.

The club will resume its regular meetings ahead of the new season in September. It welcomes adults and juniors of all abilities, from complete beginners to players interested in friendly or competitive matches.

Anyone interested in joining can message the Pembrokeshire Chess Club Facebook page or contact Martin Jones on 07884 384131.

Pembrokeshire team: Harry Harling, Jozef Othen, Sebastian Kummer, Osian Griffiths, Emily Thomas and Henry Malone.

Castell Nedd team: Advik Ram, Aarush Ram, Jakob Josh-Wright, Virat Nagari, William O’Connor, Oscar Purcell, Ethan Tirukoti, Misha Nigari and Cae Aubrey.