Campaigners warn crisis is hitting Pembrokeshire’s rivers as Lib Dems urge urgent action

CONCERNS over the state of Wales’ rivers have intensified this week as the Welsh Liberal Democrats renewed their call for a tough new Clean Water Bill — warning that pollution levels have reached a critical point from the Usk to the Cleddau.

The proposed legislation, drawn up by Save the River Usk (STRU) and backed by a wide coalition of environmental groups, sets out a sweeping overhaul of how Wales manages water quality. It calls for a new legal principle that no discharge should harm a water body, legally binding targets for water quality and biodiversity, and the creation of a fully independent regulator to hold polluters to account.

Impact felt across Pembrokeshire

While the campaign has been driven by ongoing problems on the Usk, environmental groups say the concerns apply equally to West Wales. The Eastern and Western Cleddau, together forming the Milford Haven waterway, have recorded repeated issues linked to agricultural run-off, sewage discharges and failing infrastructure — with local residents and businesses long frustrated by slow progress and finger-pointing between agencies.

Communities based along the Haven have frequently raised alarm over storm overflows and the effects of increased sediment and nutrient loading on shellfish, wildlife habitats and water-based tourism. Campaigners argue that Pembrokeshire’s economy, heavily dependent on its natural environment, is especially vulnerable if water quality continues to decline.

‘People across Wales have had enough of excuses’

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said the public mood was clear.

“Communities across Wales have had enough of excuses,” she said. “People want a clean river when they walk the dog, when their children play near the water and when local businesses depend on the natural environment to thrive. A Clean Water Bill is the chance to finally set clear rules, enforce them properly and stop the decline before it becomes irreversible.”

Ms Dodds said ministers should adopt the principles set out by campaigners and bring forward legislation that “puts the health of our rivers above the convenience of polluters”.

UK-wide reforms not enough, say Lib Dems

The call comes in the wake of the UK Government’s Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which introduced tougher sanctions for failing water companies — including bonus bans, automatic fines, criminal charges for obstructing investigations and mandatory real-time sewage reporting.

However, the Welsh Liberal Democrats argue that these measures, while welcome, do not replace the need for a Wales-specific approach with stronger statutory protections and enforcement.

STRU and its partner organisations say that without binding targets and a regulator with genuine independence, Wales will continue to lag behind in restoring its rivers to good ecological health.

Motion demands assessment of drainage infrastructure after Castle Pond overflow

A MOTION on emergency flooding concerns was brought before Pembrokeshire County Council this afternoon after the Presiding Member agreed to take it as an urgent matter under section 4.18.3 (b) of the constitution.

Councillors Aaron Carey and Jonathan Grimes tabled the motion, warning that repeated and increasingly severe flooding in coastal, estuarial and river-fringe communities — particularly around the Commons and Castle Pond area — has become a “live, ongoing problem” affecting residents and businesses.

Flooding ‘overwhelming’ current infrastructure

Members were told that, according to correspondence from the council’s Coastal, Rivers & Drainage Team Manager, the barrage tipping gate at Castle Pond remains out of operation until mid-January due to mechanical faults. In the meantime, a combination of high tides, heavy rain, wind-driven tidal surges and overspill at the sluice has repeatedly overwhelmed local drainage and outfall systems.

The motion notes that while the current maintenance schedule — delayed until after the summer for recreational and biodiversity reasons — had been justified internally, it “failed to foresee” the heightened likelihood of severe winter storms and surge events, which climate change is making “more frequent and more intense”.

Call for urgent infrastructure assessment

Cllrs Carey and Grimes called on Cabinet to commission an urgent review into:

The adequacy of existing drainage, outfall and tidal-sluice infrastructure, including the barrage tipping gate, sluice system, flap valve and overall outfall capacity.

The council’s maintenance scheduling policy for coastal and estuarial flood-risk assets, with a view to ensuring that essential works are completed before the winter storm-surge period rather than postponed for non-safety considerations.

Pending the outcome of that review, the motion states that the Council should allocate emergency capital funding to repair or upgrade any barrages, sluices or outfalls considered at risk of failure or blockage, in order to protect residents, properties, highways and public amenities.

It further calls for a county-wide public flood-resilience plan, identifying all hotspots, maintenance schedules, responsible teams and timelines for upgrades, to give residents “clarity and confidence” in local flood-prevention measures.

Sinnett pressed on outfall capacity

Alongside the motion, a separate Cabinet Member question was submitted to Cllr Rhys Sinnett, the member responsible for the portfolio.

He was asked what assessment had been made of the adequacy of Pembrokeshire’s tidal outfall infrastructure in the face of current and future storm surges and rising sea levels, and whether the council would now commit to commissioning an immediate structural and risk-capacity audit.

The question seeks a report to Full Council within three months, together with proposals for funding any remedial works necessary to prevent further disruption to residents, roads and public spaces.

Image: Martin Cavaney

Begelly defendant accused of menacing messages, assault and sharing intimate images

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody after allegedly threatening that he would “go down for his girlfriend’s murder with pleasure”.

Brandon Pugh, 26, is accused of sending the threatening message to the complainant on November 6. He is further charged with stalking her on October 30 and November 7 by allegedly kicking her door and threatening to harm her, damage her reputation and contact social services.

Pugh is also accused of intentionally sharing photographs that showed, or appeared to show, the woman in an intimate state. Additional charges include the alleged theft of a pair of Nike Air Force trainers worth £140 and assault by beating.

Pugh, of Fir Grove, Begelly, denies all charges.

Despite an application for bail by his solicitor, District Judge Mark Layton refused the request. Pugh was remanded in custody ahead of his trial later this month.