News

Rail disruption could hit tourism and trade in Pembrokeshire

Published

11 months ago

July 25, 2025

Urgent safety repairs force closure of line to Pembroke Dock

TRANSPORT for Wales has confirmed that the railway line between Pembroke and Pembroke Dock will remain closed until midnight on 31 July due to urgent safety concerns.

A track defect has been discovered between the two stations, making it unsafe for trains to operate through the affected section. As a result, all services on the Carmarthen to Pembroke Dock line will now terminate at Pembroke, with no trains running to Pembroke Dock during the closure period. A replacement bus service has been arranged.

The closure is expected to cause significant disruption for commuters, tourists and businesses that depend on rail access to the area, especially during the busy summer season.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, Sam Rowlands MS, said: “It will come as a disappointment to the commuters and passengers who use this service regularly. Transport for Wales must do all they can to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
“The people of Pembrokeshire rely on this line not just for commuting, but for tourism and local business. This incident has the potential to severely impact the area.
“While the bus replacement is welcome, it is the bare minimum. Transport for Wales must investigate how this situation has arisen and what they will do to ensure vital connections are properly maintained in future.”

South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz echoed those concerns, calling for long-term improvements: “While safety is paramount, there will be understandable frustration locally, and disruption must be minimised.
“This is a key line into the port town of Pembroke Dock and its onward sailings to Rosslare, so the replacement bus service is necessary and appreciated.
“Having worked alongside the South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group to lobby for service improvements, this urgent safety work must act as a catalyst to secure the return of an hourly service as a minimum.”

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

3 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

4 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.