News

Ceredigion defends 20mph zones amid fresh criticism from Pembrokeshire residents

Published

6 months ago

June 10, 2025

No changes planned after review finds speed limits align with safety guidance

CEREDIGION County Council has confirmed that no changes will be made to its 20mph speed limits following a detailed review prompted by new Welsh Government guidance and public feedback.

The council reviewed 34 road sections across the county, evaluating them against updated criteria issued in 2024 for making exceptions to the national 20mph policy. These criteria include proximity to schools, medical facilities, community centres, and the density of homes and shops along affected routes.

Between May and September 2024, the council received 62 submissions during its ‘listening phase’. Of these, 23 supported the new limits, 20 called for changes to the national policy, 16 objected to 20mph zones on specific county roads, eight related to trunk roads outside the council’s control, and three were deemed irrelevant.

Councillor Shelley Childs, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services, said: “The review was an opportunity to assess how closely the guidance from the Welsh Government was applied on county roads in Ceredigion. Collision data recently released by the police and the Welsh Government suggests that the national change to the speed limit does seem to be reducing casualties on roads across Wales.”

He added that while some dissenting voices remain, the correspondence also showed support for safer streets, particularly near schools and residential areas.

The review did not include trunk roads such as the A487 and A44, which are managed directly by the Welsh Government.

Pembrokeshire latest: growing local anger over enforcement and fairness

In neighbouring Pembrokeshire, criticism of the 20mph policy has resurfaced following recent enforcement actions and growing calls for a more flexible approach. The Herald understands that several town and community councils, including Haverfordwest and Tenby, are preparing motions asking the county council to reconsider specific zones introduced under the national rollout.

Campaigners in Milford Haven and Neyland argue that the blanket restrictions are not suitable for wider, well-lit distributor roads, and should be eased in locations where pedestrian footfall is low.

Pembrokeshire County Council is expected to carry out its own review later this summer. However, internal documents seen by The Herald suggest that any proposed changes will have to comply strictly with the same Welsh Government guidance used by Ceredigion.

Meanwhile, Conservative Senedd members have pledged to reverse the 20mph law entirely if elected to government, while Plaid Cymru and Labour maintain it is essential for reducing road deaths and encouraging active travel.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.