MAJOR traffic disruption in Pembroke caused by temporary traffic lights installed for road works at Bush Hill (A4139) has sparked widespread public outrage, with residents and local businesses expressing frustration and anger at severe delays.

Traffic lights installed by Wales & West Utilities at the junction have reportedly allowed only minimal vehicles through at a time, leading to significant tailbacks and lengthy delays throughout Monday.

Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller for Pembroke, Adam Smith, said: “We are working in the Well Hill area of Pembroke, to upgrade the gas network. This work is essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport greener gas. 

“In agreement with Pembrokeshire County Council and in order to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, four-way traffic lights are in place along Well Hill at its junction with Holyland Road, Main Street and Station Road.

“These lights are manned during peak traffic hours; however, we are now increasing the number of traffic officers to try and improve the flow of traffic. While this should help us minimise disruption, we would still encourage people to leave more time for travel and to take alternative routes if at all possible.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect to complete our work on Well Hill and remove these lights by 21 July.

“Before our work started, we wrote to homes and businesses in the area letting them know what to expect and held a community drop-in session where people could learn more about the plans. We would like to thank the local community for their patience during these works. We appreciate that working on roads like this is not ideal, and we’re sorry for the disruption our work is causing, but it really is essential to keep the gas flowing and to make sure the network is fit for the future.”

Jonathan Grimes, County Councillor for Pembroke St Mary South & Monkton, expressed deep concern about the disruption, stating he had spoken directly to Wales & West Utilities and was liaising with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC).

Residents voiced their frustration online, highlighting journeys normally taking ten minutes were lasting up to an hour and a half. Local business owner Peter Chesmore described the situation as a “damn disgrace,” saying it took him 45 minutes to make a short journey to work. Chesmore further demanded night-time works to reduce disruption or financial compensation for affected businesses through rate relief.

School runs were particularly affected, with Anne Braithwaite noting she was 40 minutes late picking up her grandson from nursery. Commuters like Amanda Jane Mcknight and Margaret Powell shared similar stories of extensive delays, suggesting traffic management should mirror arrangements made during Pembroke Fair, using alternative routes or two-way systems to ease congestion.

Concerns were also raised about emergency service accessibility, with locals noting a potential risk if ambulances or fire engines needed rapid passage through the area.

Residents including Virginia Billing described feeling “imprisoned” in Monkton due to continuous traffic disruptions in recent months, further exacerbating frustration and calls for urgent action.

Councillor Grimes acknowledged a failure in initial traffic management, revealing traffic signals had not been adequately manned initially by Wales & West Utilities. He confirmed that PCC had intervened to address the issues.