Community

Raw sewage floods school playground hours after major development plans lodged

Published

4 weeks ago

April 27, 2025

A MAJOR sewage flood at Broad Haven School has sparked outrage in the village, coming just hours after a planning application was submitted for a 76-home development that would put even greater pressure on the area’s already stretched infrastructure.

On Saturday (Apr 26), a burst sewage pipe flooded the school’s playground, covering it in raw sewage in scenes likened by locals to “cattle slurry.” Welsh Water responded with 12 work vans and engineers to contain the incident. Pembrokeshire County Council contractors are on site today (Sunday) disinfecting the contaminated area and working to remove the worst of the stench.

Fortunately, the sewage did not enter the school building itself. However, the lower part of the playground — where the playgroup stores its outdoor equipment — has been badly affected. The Herald understands much of the playgroup’s equipment is likely beyond saving.

Welsh Water confirmed that a burst sewer main had been identified in the school yard. A spokesperson said: “The affected area has been isolated and made safe, and resurfacing will take place early next week.

“We have been liaising with education officials, and this will not impact the planned school reopening tomorrow. The whole yard has been cleaned and sanitised and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The school is hopeful it will be able to open as normal on Monday (Apr 28), although the playgroup section will remain closed due to the loss of equipment.

The timing of the flood could not be more controversial. Just the day before, Mill Bay Homes submitted a major planning application to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for 76 houses on land east of Marine Parade in Broad Haven.

In response to local concern, Mill Bay Homes has confirmed it would fund any infrastructure upgrade works that Welsh Water identifies as necessary to support the new estate. However, the developer has clarified that no figure for such works — including any specific contribution to pumping system upgrades — has yet been agreed.

A concerned local resident, who asked not to be named, told The Herald: “It’s such an old system, it all needs starting from scratch. Even if upgrades happen, it won’t solve the wider problem.

“The treatment works already can’t cope. Now with bigger storms and more extreme weather, this kind of sewage spill is just going to happen more often.”

Official figures show that Broad Haven’s sewage treatment works discharged untreated sewage into the environment for more than 600 hours last year, with dozens of separate incidents recorded.

Pembrokeshire County Councillor for The Havens, Nick Nuuman, visited the flooded school site on Saturday and praised Welsh Water for acting swiftly to clean and sterilise the area. However, he said the weekend’s events proved beyond doubt that urgent infrastructure investment is needed.

He said: “Dŵr Cymru really do need to double down and invest more into the infrastructure of The Havens. The frequency of discharges onto the beach is evidence enough that the system is not fit for current purpose, let alone for more properties.”

Councillor Nuuman confirmed he would be writing to Dŵr Cymru this week to press for action. He urged residents to contact local MP Henry Tufnell to increase pressure on the authorities to secure major upgrades.

Broad Haven’s sewage system, designed decades ago for a much smaller village, relies on pumps to push waste uphill out of the valley to treatment works. The Herald understands that these facilities are now operating at or beyond their intended capacity.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will now face mounting scrutiny as it considers the 76-home application against the backdrop of widespread concern about whether Broad Haven’s basic infrastructure can cope with further expansion.

In a seperate incident much of Broad Haven was without water on the same day due to a burst water main.

Community

Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

Published

12 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.

Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.

From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.

Community

RNLI lifeguard patrols extend across Welsh beaches for half term

Published

21 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THIS weekend RNLI lifeguard patrols are extending the number of patrolled beaches across Wales, as the lifesaving charity are encouraging the public to visit a lifeguarded beach.

This Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguard patrols begin at a number of beaches across Wales for the half term holiday. The RNLI are advising those planning a trip to the coast, to visit a lifeguarded beach.

Tom John Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Swansea said: ‘There are plenty of lifeguarded beaches around Wales to choose from during half term. Remember to swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and surf, kayak or stand-up paddleboard between the black and white flags.

‘The lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach, if you see a red flag the lifeguards have deemed that area of the beach as unsafe – so do not enter the water. If you ever have any questions, feel free to approach the lifeguards who will be happy to help and can provide local beach safety advice for the conditions that day.’

From Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling from 10am-6pm at the following locations:

In Denbighshire, Rhyl and Prestatyn will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. They will then be patrolled on weekends only up until 29 June when they go live full time for the remainder of the season.

In Ceredigion Borth, Aberystwyth South, Llangrannog, Tresaith and Aberporth will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Borth and Llangrannog will continue to be patrolled full time, whilst the other beaches will be patrolled on weekends only up until 19 July when they go live full time until 31 August.

In Pembrokeshire, Whitesands, Newgale Central and Tenby South will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Whitesands and Tenby South will continue to be patrolled every day, Newgale Central will be patrolled on weekends only up until 15 June when it goes live full time.

In Swansea, Aberavon, Langland, Caswell and Pembrey will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Aberavon, Langland and Caswell will continue to be patrolled every day, with Pembrey to be patrolled on weekends only up until 5 July when it goes live full time.

In Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, Rest Bay, Coney Beach, Trecco Bay and Whitmore Bay will be patrolled every day from 24 May until the end of the season.

Chris Cousens RNLI Water Safety Lead said: ‘If you’re visiting the coast, remember to visit a lifeguarded beach. It’s safest not to go into the water alone – the person you’re with can help you stay safe and get help in the event of an emergency.

‘If you unexpectedly find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to live. If you see anyone else in difficulty anywhere along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

The RNLI’s advice for anyone struggling in the water is ‘Float to Live’:

Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged
Relax and try to breathe normally
Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat
It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently.

Community

Safety plea issued for DIY enthusiasts after cable damage

Published

21 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DIY enthusiasts and builders in South and West Wales are being urged to take extra care when digging to avoid hitting underground electricity cables, which is dangerous and can lead to power cuts.

Digging into a live high voltage cable can cause explosions and fires that may lead to fatalities or severe injury, including burns to face, hands and body.

Most cables are laid in trenches between 450mm and one metre deep and often there are no permanent markers to show their presence.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is advising workers to:

find out if electrical equipment is near the digging area by checking cable location plans
ensure someone competent at using a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) locates all cables shown on the plans
mark cable locations on the ground surface with waterproof road paint or marker
dig trial holes by hand to locate exact positions of cables using an insulated spade or shovel – never a pick, fork or power tool
remember cable record plans are not guaranteed to be completely accurate. Kerb lines, roads and buildings may have been moved or altered since the cables were laid
if a cable is hit, clear the area of personnel and call 105 to report it

Chris Cleveland, National Grid Electricity Distribution’s Head of Safety, said: “There’s a high risk of serious injury if an underground cable is damaged and that’s why we want anyone carrying out excavation, drilling, piling, demolition and site investigations to check in advance if live cables are anywhere near their work area.

“As well as possible injury and delaying people’s projects, damaging cables can also cause significant disruption to other customers and lead to considerable repair costs for those responsible.”

Details of how to obtain National Grid Electricity Distribution cable location plans can be found at: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/our-network/check-before-you-dig-location-of-our-cables-and-equipment