News

Fresh concerns over £60m A40 scheme after resurfacing works just months after opening

Published

5 months ago

February 9, 2026

QUESTIONS are being asked about the condition of the newly-opened A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross carriageway after sections of the road were dug up and replaced less than a year after completion.

The £60 million upgrade between Llanddewi Velfrey and Redstone Cross opened around nine months ago, aimed at improving safety and traffic flow on one of the main routes into Pembrokeshire.

However, motorists travelling the route on Monday (Jan 26) reported temporary traffic lights and lane closures while contractors removed part of the carriageway surface and loaded material into HGVs.

The works appeared more extensive than minor patching or snagging, prompting concerns about potential costs to taxpayers.

Pembrokeshire county councillor Huw Murphy said he had witnessed what looked like a significant section of road being lifted and replaced.

He said: “It was evident that an element of the carriageway was being removed and replaced, with lorries taking away the scalpings. The work appeared fairly significant rather than minor remedial works.”

Cllr Murphy questioned why a road opened less than a year ago would already require resurfacing.

“Even with limited engineering knowledge, you would reasonably expect a new road not to need this level of work for many years,” he said. “It certainly raises questions when you see substantial works within 12 months of opening.”

The A40 is regarded as a key gateway into the county, carrying commuters, freight traffic and tourism vehicles. Any disruption or repeat works can add delays and increase costs.

Cllr Murphy has written to the Trunk Roads Agency requesting an explanation and has asked for the total cost of the resurfacing works to be disclosed. He said he is happy for the request to be treated as a Freedom of Information enquiry.

He added that residents would expect reassurance that public money is being spent efficiently, particularly at a time when councils are facing budget pressures and council tax levels are under scrutiny.

The Herald has approached the trunk road authorities for comment on the reason for the works, whether the repairs fall under warranty or defects liability, and what costs – if any – will fall to the public purse.

Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz said: “Well over a decade in planning, a further four years in construction, and within the first 12 months parts of the road surface on the Llanddewi Velfrey bypass are already being replaced.

“It was opened with great fanfare by the First Minister, Eluned Morgan, but even when West Wales finally receives investment, Labour still cannot get it right.

“Having raised this both on the floor of the Senedd and through a Written Question, I want to know whether local taxpayers will be left footing the bill for these remedial works.”

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

14 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

14 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

15 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.