Community

£5.7m bridge branded ‘Instagrammable eyesore’ by national press

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Council defends project as vital link in town’s regeneration plan

HAVERFORDWEST’S new £5.7million bridge has hit the national headlines this week — but not for the reasons Pembrokeshire County Council might have hoped.

The striking honeycomb-style structure, designed to connect the Riverside area with the new Western Quayside development, has been branded by national newspapers as an “Instagrammable eyesore” and a “bridge to nowhere.”

The criticism, led by a report in the Daily Mirror this week, follows the bridge’s unveiling earlier this year as part of a £25million regeneration scheme intended to revitalise the county town.

‘Colossal waste of money’

Locals quoted by the national media described the bridge as “the bridge that leads to many empty shops,” questioning whether the money should have been spent on other priorities.

Resident Ann Williams said she wanted to see “how it came to £5million,” while another local, Linda Peacock, added: “They would have been better off making car parking free to attract people into town before it dies completely.”

Others took to social media to call it a “bridge to nowhere,” with one resident comparing its modern design to a pair of Kanye West “Yeezy” trainers.

Council response

Pembrokeshire County Council has defended the scheme, insisting the bridge is a key part of a long-term masterplan to reconnect the town centre and encourage new private investment.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place, the Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Paul Miller, said:

“It’s great to see the town’s new bridge in place. Connecting the new Western Quayside development — which we expect to be fully open and occupied over the next couple of months — to the new car park and bus interchange is an important part of the wider Haverfordwest Masterplan.

“The bridge is just one of a number of key public-sector-led infrastructure projects reaching completion in 2025, and we’re now beginning to move to the next phase of the plan. Private sector investment is following, both in the core town centre and on the periphery.”

Calls for scrutiny

Conservative councillors have called for greater oversight of the spending. Group leader Cllr Di Clements said: “Given its sizeable cost estimation and the high public interest in the matter, the Welsh Conservative group believes that this decision deserves full and proper scrutiny at committee level.”

Cllr Aled Thomas added that every major project undertaken by the council “seems to go over budget,” describing the planning as “poor from the outset.”

The bigger picture

The bridge — which replaced the former red and black arched footbridge over the River Cleddau — was constructed in Cardiff and transported to Haverfordwest earlier this year in a four-day operation.

The council says the overall masterplan aims to transform Haverfordwest into a more vibrant regional centre, with new public spaces, retail and residential conversions, and improved connectivity between the town’s eastern and western sides.

But with national media attention now focused on the project’s cost and purpose, the bridge has become a symbol of a much wider debate — between those who see it as a forward-looking investment in Pembrokeshire’s future, and those who see it as a reminder of how far the county town still has to go.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

17 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).