News

Warning of ‘deepening risks’ to local economy as ferry disruption continues

Published

1 month ago

December 12, 2025

Calls grow for urgent resilience plan as routes face repeated cancellations

PAUL DAVIES MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have issued a renewed warning over the fragility of Welsh–Irish connectivity, after a series of cancelled sailings once again highlighted the strategic importance of Pembrokeshire’s Irish Sea ports.

Several crossings on the Rosslare–Pembroke Dock and Rosslare–Fishguard routes were cancelled over the weekend, prompting concerns about the long-term reliability of services that thousands of passengers, hauliers and businesses depend on each year.

The disruption comes at a time when Terminal 5 at Holyhead remains closed, and just twelve months after severe damage to berthing infrastructure there caused major delays across the UK–Ireland network. With Holyhead still unable to operate at full strength, the two Pembrokeshire ports now carry a disproportionate share of Wales’ Irish Sea traffic — a shift that local Members of the Senedd say has not been matched with the investment or planning required.

‘Southern Corridor now carrying the weight’

Both Members stressed that Pembroke Dock and Fishguard have effectively become the backbone of the Southern Corridor, absorbing diverted freight, seasonal passenger surges and commercial pressures that were previously spread more evenly across Welsh ports.

They say that any interruption now has amplified consequences — not only for local hauliers and employers, but for the reliability of the UK supply chain during the busiest trading period of the year.

The crossings, they argue, underpin jobs across Pembrokeshire’s logistics, hospitality and retail sectors, and ensure that essential goods ranging from food to pharmaceuticals continue to move smoothly into the county.

Paul Davies: ‘We need answers — and long-term resilience’

Paul Davies MS said the latest cancellations highlight a need for “clear communication and firm commitment” from operators.

“These crossings play a key role in connecting communities and are strategically vital routes for Wales, Ireland and the wider UK,” he said. “As a result, any disruption can cause challenges for businesses and supply chains, and so it’s vital that operators keep people as informed as possible and work to maintain reliable services.

“Moving forward we must look at how we can build long-term resilience into these routes, and that means strengthening the engagement between operators, government and local stakeholders in order to protect and support these vital routes for the future.”

Mr Davies said the public deserved transparency about the cancelled sailings, adding that operators should explain what steps are being taken to ensure stability going into 2026, particularly as freight volumes continue to rise.

Kurtz: ‘This is a red flag for the Christmas supply chain’

Samuel Kurtz MS said the timing of the disruption could not be worse for local businesses.

“These routes are not simply transport links; they are economic lifelines, and operators must provide assurances that their contingency planning is strong enough to prevent disruption at such a critical trading period,” he said.

“The failure to move key freight ahead of Christmas is especially concerning, given how heavily local supply chains rely on timely deliveries at this point in the year. When sailings are cancelled at short notice, the pressure on our local haulage firms intensifies significantly, forcing them to absorb delays, reroute vehicles, and manage rising costs.”

Mr Kurtz added that the cumulative effect of repeated cancellations risked undermining confidence among businesses choosing between Welsh ports and alternatives elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.

Call for joint Welsh–UK action

Both Members urged the Welsh Government and the UK Department for Transport to work together on a formal Southern Corridor resilience strategy, ensuring that Pembrokeshire’s ports receive the investment, dredging support, and infrastructure planning needed to manage increased traffic.

Industry representatives have privately warned that further cancellations over the festive period could lead to stock shortages and reduced availability for retailers in west Wales.

Davies and Kurtz say the message is simple: Pembrokeshire’s Irish Sea links can no longer be treated as secondary to Holyhead.

“They are now central to the economic health of west Wales,” they said, “and government must act accordingly.”

Crime

Milford Haven man, 65, convicted of sexual assault on teenage girl

Published

49 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Court Reporter

Huw Bridges denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury at Swansea Crown Court following a trial

A MAN in his sixties has been convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Huw Bridges, 65, of Haven Drive, Hakin, denied two counts of sexual assault but was found guilty by a jury after around two-and-a-half hours of deliberations.

The court heard that one incident took place on June 2, 2024, when the complainant, who was aged 16 at the time, was taken by Bridges on his motorbike to a secluded area near Carew Castle.

Prosecutor Hannah George told the jury that the pair went for a walk, during which Bridges kissed the teenager despite her trying to move away and telling him that it made her feel uncomfortable. He then went on to touch her breasts and vagina over her clothing.

The jury was told the teenager reported the incident to her parents almost immediately after returning home. It was then that she also disclosed an earlier allegation, dating from between October 2020 and October 2021, in which Bridges was accused of touching her vagina over her clothing on another occasion.

“The prosecution’s case is that the defendant had a sexual interest in teenage girls,” Ms George said.

Bridges was arrested on June 14, 2024, and later interviewed by police. In a prepared statement, he denied sexually assaulting the complainant.

He accepted that there had been physical contact but claimed he had only put his arm around the teenager and “pecked her on the cheek” in an attempt to comfort her, insisting the gesture was not sexual in nature.

After the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts, Judge Geraint Walters adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Bridges was re-admitted to bail and is now required to register as a sex offender. He is due to return to court for sentencing on Thursday, February 6.

Health

A&E departments under severe pressure across west Wales

Published

59 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Health board urges public to use NHS 111 and alternative services as demand surges at Withybush and Glangwili

PRESSURE on accident and emergency departments across west Wales continued on Monday (Jan 12), with Hywel Dda University Health Board urging the public to use the most appropriate services for their needs.

The health board said its Emergency Departments across all sites were under significant strain, with Withybush Hospital and Glangwili Hospital experiencing particularly high demand.

In a public message, the health board asked people to “help us to help you” by seeking the right care in the right place, where it is safe to do so.

Residents who are unwell but unsure where to go are being advised to contact NHS 111 Wales, which is staffed by trained healthcare professionals and can offer advice and direct patients to the most appropriate service. The service is available online or by telephone.

The health board stressed that anyone experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency should continue to call 999 without hesitation.

People needing urgent mental health support can access help 24 hours a day by calling NHS 111 and selecting option two, while those with minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day treatment but are not life-threatening are encouraged to use Minor Injury Units where appropriate.

Community pharmacies were also highlighted as a first point of contact for a range of common ailments, with many offering walk-in advice, assessment and treatment without the need for an appointment.

The health board also appealed for help from families where possible to support the discharge of relatives who are medically fit to leave hospital but are waiting for homecare or community health arrangements to be put in place. It said family support, where available, can help speed up the discharge process and free up hospital beds.

With cold weather continuing, residents were also encouraged to follow winter health advice from Public Health Wales to help reduce illness and pressure on NHS services.

The health board thanked the public for their cooperation and support as services continue to deal with sustained winter pressures.

Crime

Haverfordwest close to securing ‘significant’ US investment

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2026

Herald Sport

BOSSES at Haverfordwest County AFC have confirmed the club is in the final stages of talks over what has been described as “significant investment” from United States-based backers.

Chairman Rob Edwards has previously made no secret of his ambition to take the Cymru Premier side to “the next level”, with a move towards full-time football and regular European qualification firmly on the agenda.

In a statement issued this week, the club said it was currently in an exclusivity period with a US investment fund and that negotiations were at an advanced stage.

The statement said: “The club is in the latter stages of an agreement during an exclusivity period regarding significant investment in the club from a US-based investment fund.

“The club has been clear about its desire to raise investment to fulfil its ambition to move towards full-time football and to compete in the latter stages of qualifying for UEFA competition. Talks have been ongoing with a party that buys into the same vision.

“The club hopes to make further announcements in due course.”

Since Edwards took over as chairman in the summer of 2020, Haverfordwest have enjoyed a remarkable rise. Now established in the Cymru Premier, the Bluebirds have qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League twice in the past three seasons, while the club’s academy side has also represented Wales in Europe.

Haverfordwest have also developed a reputation as one of the most progressive clubs in Welsh domestic football. Among those to have passed through the club is current Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen, who was in charge during the 2021–22 season.

However, with the Cymru Premier set to expand from 12 to 16 teams next season, Edwards has acknowledged that further investment — or potentially a full takeover — will be needed if the club is to remain competitive and continue challenging for European qualification.

Away from Pembrokeshire, Edwards’ company, Morley Sports Management Group, recently completed a takeover of Scottish League 1 side Hamilton Academical. Following that move, Edwards said the Scottish club remained at risk of administration but expressed confidence that insolvency could be avoided.

For Haverfordwest, the proposed US investment could mark a pivotal moment as the club looks to build on recent success and secure its long-term future at the top end of Welsh football.