A NEYLAND councillor has called for traffic calming measures in the town where “a terrible tragedy” was avoided by “sheer good luck” after a car recently hit a house wall, the fifth such incident in less than a decade.

At the most recent meeting of Neyland Town Council, residents expressed their concerns at vehicle speeds in a part of the town.

Town council member, and county councillor, Simon Hancock said: “They came to express their concern at speeding cars losing control on the corner where Honeyborough Road leads into Kensington Road.  On Sunday afternoon a speeding car mounted the pavement and smashed into the wall of No 43 coming to rest in the middle of the road. Emergency services were on the scene.”

He said images of the incident and its aftermath were shared on social media and to the council.

Following that, Cllr Simon Hancock, who is also the county council’s presiding member, said: “I am extremely concerned by some drivers travelling at excessive speeds at this bend.  This is the fifth serious incident in nine years where cars have collided with houses in the terrace.

“Any pedestrians on the pavement at the time could have been killed or seriously injured. I have written to the chief executive, leader and cabinet member [of Pembrokeshire County Council] insisting on road traffic calming measures at this location.

“It is by sheer good luck that a terrible tragedy has been avoided.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the police over the incident to determine the cause of the accident before considering what measures the Highway Authority may take.”

PROPOSALS for a Pembrokeshire Church in Wales school is to be discontinued are “fundamentally flawed,” in part due to land ownership issues, councillors heard.

At last May’s meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

A later July meeting backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation has said.

The consultation closed on January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closing after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of more than 100 signatures triggers a debate at a council scrutiny committee, in the case of Cilgerran that debate taking place at the February 5 schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, said of the proposed changes: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this [change] will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.
“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”

Speaking at the meeting, vice-chair of the school governors Gary Fieldhouse said the loss of the Church in Wales status would be “a profound mistake,” the school’s association with the church “not symbolic but fundamental,” with “a sense of belonging” that would not be the same if it lost that link and would “change the essence of what we are”.

He said the were issues of land ownership, and the “thriving” school, in a strong financial position with no deficit, was likely to benefit in terms of numbers when a new housing estate in the village was built.

Reverend John Cecil said the proposals were “fundamentally flawed,” with the school’s land legally in trust as a Church of Wales school, and change “essentially creating a new school with no premises to occupy”.

Cabinet member for education Cllr Guy Woodham repeated assurances he had given when petitions for other schools in the county, which are facing potential closures, saying final reports on the school’s future would be “as balanced as possible”.

“I’m happy to give that assurance again; to present in a fair way so councillors can make an informed decision.”

Members heard that legal conversations connected with that issue were ongoing, agreeing to note the petition.

A report on the final proposals will be brought to a future council meeting.

Survey underway as resident explores sites and funding for year-round skating facility

PLANS to bring a permanent ice skating rink to Pembrokeshire are gathering momentum after a local resident began talks with council officers and launched a public survey to test demand.

Jemma Davies, from Newgale, says the county is missing out on a major leisure attraction that could benefit families, schools and visitors while creating new jobs.

At present, the nearest full-time rink for Pembrokeshire residents is in Cardiff — a round trip of several hours — making regular skating sessions difficult for many families.

She believes a local facility could change that.

“I think it would give people something completely different to do here,” she said. “It’s exercise, it’s social, and it’s something children could take up after school instead of having to travel out of the county.”

Early talks with council

Jemma has already met officers from Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport and recreation department to discuss whether the idea could be viable.

She is also hoping to approach Sport Wales to explore possible funding streams and support.

To measure interest, she has set up an online questionnaire asking residents whether they would use an ice rink and how far they would be willing to travel.

She said early responses have been positive, with families, young people and skating enthusiasts backing the idea.

Reusing empty buildings

Rather than constructing a new arena, Jemma is investigating whether vacant premises could be converted, reducing costs.

Potential options include a former retail unit in Haverfordwest or a large hangar-style building near existing leisure attractions.

She said: “If we can reuse a building that’s already there, it keeps the costs down and brings life back into empty spaces at the same time.”

As part of her research, she plans to visit Vindico Arena to better understand the practicalities of running a rink.

More than just skating

Beyond public sessions, she believes a rink could host school trips, birthday parties, events and competitions, while encouraging young people to take up winter sports.

“Pembrokeshire has produced plenty of sporting talent over the years,” she said. “There’s no reason we couldn’t develop figure skaters or ice hockey players here too.”

Residents who want to share their views can complete the online survey.

Cover image:

Jemma Davies: Hopes to bring a permanent ice rink to Pembrokeshire (Pic: Supplied).