Talks underway for rocket factory at former Black Bridge armament depot

SPACE-X, the aerospace company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is in early talks to establish a major UK base at the former Black Bridge site in Milford Haven, The Herald can reveal.

The disused site—once an armament depot and now within the Celtic Freeport zone—is being considered for a rocket manufacturing and research facility, in what could be one of the biggest investments in West Wales in decades.

Speaking to The Herald via a spokesperson, Mr Musk said: “We’re seriously looking at the Black Bridge site in Milford Haven. It has the right mix of industrial infrastructure, port access, and renewable energy potential. It’s a strong contender for our next-generation SpaceX facility in Europe.”

The location, nestled along the Milford Haven Waterway, already benefits from a deep-water harbour, its own pier, underground tunnels suitable for fuel storage, and proximity to both the Dragon LNG jetty and National Grid connection points. It also lies just 20 minutes by car from the new UK Space Command base being developed at Brawdy.

While no official confirmation has been made, The Herald understands that a delegation of engineers and logistics experts from SpaceX visited the site in early March.

A source close to the project said: “This isn’t just a stunt. The site ticks a lot of boxes, and the Freeport status makes it very attractive. The UK government is aware of the interest.”

However, the project may come with strings attached. Mr Musk hinted that broader cooperation with the UK government—particularly regarding the import of Tesla Semi trucks—could influence the pace and scale of any investment.

“If Tesla Semi trucks could enter the UK market without punitive tariffs, that would help align our supply chains and accelerate sustainable logistics deployment,” he said, adding: “We’re open to sharing our technology and innovation as part of that conversation. It’s a win-win.”

Pembrokeshire County Council said the Local Authority would welcome the investment: “If Mr Musk wants to put a rocket factory here, we’ll find room for him. We’ve got the docks, we’ve got the people, and we’ve got the ambition,” an official spokesperson said.

The local community has already begun speculating about the possible transformation of the area, with suggestions that the disused railway line—currently blocked by a Costa Coffee car park—could be reinstated using a dual road-rail system, allowing trains to pass through on a timed basis.

Welsh Government sources have not confirmed any formal approach, but a spokesperson said: “We welcome all interest in investing in Wales’ space and technology sectors and will continue to support high-quality proposals through our partnership with the UK Space Agency.”

If approved, the facility could bring hundreds of high-skilled jobs to Pembrokeshire, revitalising an area historically reliant on energy and port industries. Given the site’s Freeport designation, SpaceX could benefit from generous tax incentives and streamlined planning permissions.

The timing of the news—just a day before April 1—may raise eyebrows. But insiders insist the proposal is genuine, albeit in early stages.

As one source put it: “It sounds like science fiction—but then again, that’s what people said about reusable rockets.”

A BOLD new strategy aimed at reducing suicide rates and improving support for people who self-harm is being launched today by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy.

The Welsh Government’s 10-year Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy focuses on creating a more compassionate approach to understanding and responding to suicide and self-harm. Drawing on the lived experiences of those affected, the strategy seeks to reduce stigma and foster an environment where people feel able to ask for help without fear or judgement.

To support this work, the Welsh Government is investing more than £2 million in the National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm at Swansea University, through Health and Care Research Wales. This marks a major step forward in deepening understanding of these complex issues.

The new strategy outlines six key priorities:

• Listening and learning – Building a robust evidence base by listening to those with lived experience.
• Preventing – Addressing the underlying risk factors that can lead to suicide and self-harm.
• Empowering – Tackling stigma and encouraging open conversations.
• Supporting – Improving services for those who self-harm or experience suicidal thoughts.
• Equipping – Ensuring services across Wales can identify and support those at risk.
• Responding – Providing timely, compassionate, person-centred help after suspected suicides.

The strategy acknowledges that suicide and self-harm can affect anyone, but certain age and gender groups are more vulnerable. Suicide is most prevalent among men aged 30 to 55, while self-harm is more common in young women aged 15 to 19. These insights inform the strategy’s tailored approach to support.

It also highlights the link between self-harm and suicide, underlining the need to treat all incidents of self-harm with seriousness, empathy, and care.

Minister Sarah Murphy said: “This ambitious strategy focuses on building understanding, prevention, and compassionate support for everyone affected by suicide and self-harm.

By working across government departments and with our partners, we’re tackling the root causes while ensuring immediate help is available to those who need it.

It’s through supporting and working with third sector organisations like the Samaritans that we will achieve the ambitions set out in our Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Strategy.”

Joshua, who received support from the Samaritans after experiencing suicidal thoughts, said: “I see a generational issue where older men don’t speak about their mental health because they grew up in a time when it wasn’t discussed.

Nowadays, people are more open about mental health, which is great. But there are still boys and men my age who feel it’s too wimpy or embarrassing to talk about it. Even though the conversation is improving, that stigma still exists.”

The strategy builds on recent progress made in Wales, including:

• The launch of a national advice service for those affected by suicide.
• New guidance for agencies supporting people bereaved by suicide.
• Improved access to mental health services through single points of contact for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
• The national rollout of the 111 press 2 urgent mental health helpline.

Information from the Real-Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance (RTSSS) system – which collects data from police forces – will be used alongside a lived experience framework to guide future policies and services.

The National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Self-harm has been appointed as an advisory body to the Welsh Government, and a dedicated National Suicide and Self-harm team has been established within the NHS Executive to drive delivery of the strategy across Wales.

RCN says inaction threatens workforce stability and patient care

TODAY marks the start of the 2025/26 financial year, but thousands of nursing staff across Wales are still waiting to hear what their pay rise will be. The Welsh Government has not yet announced this year’s NHS pay award, leaving health workers in uncertainty during a time of continuing economic pressure.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has criticised the delay, warning that it undermines staff morale and exacerbates an already fragile workforce situation. According to the latest figures, there are over 2,000 nursing vacancies across Wales, with staff retention falling and student recruitment struggling to keep pace with demand.

Last year, after months of industrial unrest, NHS nursing staff in Wales accepted a revised pay offer from the Welsh Government. The 2023/24 deal included a 5% consolidated increase and a one-off payment of at least £900. At the time, Welsh ministers said the agreement represented the best possible offer within the limits of the funding available from Westminster.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said during the 2023 negotiations: “We are working within a fixed budget and have had to make difficult decisions to prioritise frontline services. We continue to urge the UK Government to provide the necessary funding for fair pay across the NHS.”

That context remains unchanged in 2025, with Welsh ministers stating in recent months that without additional funding from the UK Government, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund public sector pay awards without affecting other services. The Welsh Government has frequently highlighted that it does not receive ringfenced health pay funding and must make choices within the block grant provided via the Barnett formula.

Nevertheless, the RCN says the failure to confirm this year’s NHS pay uplift on time is unacceptable.

Helen Whyley, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said: “The continued delay in announcing the NHS pay award is unacceptable. Nursing staff are essential to patient care, yet once again, they find themselves at the bottom of government priorities.”

“Nursing staff are the backbone of the NHS and cannot be expected to deliver the reforms needed to save it if Welsh Government can’t even pay them fairly and on time. The Welsh Government must take responsibility and act now to ensure nursing staff receive a fair and timely pay rise. At the same time, they must hold Westminster to account for failing to properly fund NHS Wales.”

Health unions are calling for clarity in the coming days to avoid further disruption and to reassure staff who are already facing high workloads and rising living costs.

The Welsh Government has been approached for an updated comment regarding the current delay.