News

Green candidate questions impact of Senedd ‘Bus Bill’ on rural Wales

Published

5 months ago

October 16, 2025

THE GREEN PARTY’S candidate for Ceredigion and Penfro, Amy Nicholass, has criticised the Welsh Government’s proposed ‘Bus Bill’, warning it could harm vital rural bus services across west Wales.

The legislation, currently progressing through the Senedd, would introduce a franchising system under which decisions on routes, timetables, fares, and service standards would be made by the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales (TfW), working alongside local authorities.

But Nicholass, who regularly relies on local bus routes including the T5, T3, 381, 460 and 430, fears the changes will centralise control and risk cutting lifeline services.

She said: “I use buses in rural west Wales. My journeys often take over an hour. I’m not sure franchising will make them more reliable — and I worry that the unprofitable ones will disappear altogether.”

Rural lifelines at risk

The Green Party argues that the Bill fails to define what constitutes a “socially necessary route,” suggesting such services could be replaced by community transport schemes run largely by volunteers.

Nicholass added: “Rural buses are lifelines for people to access shops, see friends and get to work. People build communities on buses — it’s lovely to hear regular passengers greeting each other.”

She said the franchising model might work for urban areas such as Cardiff and Newport, but not for sparsely populated regions like Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Powys Council has already reported difficulties with TfW over coordinating school bus services, she noted, warning that similar problems could spread west.

“I see buses as a vital part of the community,” Nicholass said. “Their services should be designed for efficiency, reliability and care for community need — not profit or centralised control from Cardiff.”

A Green vision for west Wales

Nicholass helped organise Ceredigion’s Bus Action Day in September 2023 and co-authored a follow-up report that called for more investment in rural public transport.

The report stated: “Higher patronage means lower car use, which is good for the climate. People being able to move around, stay independent, and take part in activities improves health and reduces pressure on the NHS and social services.”

Nicholass said that vision — greener, better-connected, community-centred transport — remains at the heart of her campaign.

For more information on the consultation, visit haveyoursay.tfw.wales.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.