News

Wales’ Digital Dilemma

Published

9 years ago

February 23, 2016

A WELSH Labour Assembly candidate has said large parts of Wales will ‘be left behind’ when a new range of digital radio stations launches on 29th February.

Last year, Sound Digital won the second national DAB (digital radio) multiplex during a bidding process arranged by media regulator Ofcom. Sound Digital’s winning bid includes new radio station launches such as the return of Talk Radio, as well as Virgin Radio both previously available on medium wave.

However, technical limitations and the use of just 45 transmitters across the UK means that in Wales only urban areas around Swansea, south east Wales as well as parts of the north east will hear what industry bosses have described as the biggest expansion in radio choice for a generation.

Labour’s Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Candidate Marc Tierney who is a former radio broadcaster and programme manager said:

“Digital radio offers new stations and more choice for listeners, so I welcome that further stations are being launched. But where I live and across large parts of mid, west and north west Wales, these stations just won’t be available on a digital radio.

“The march to a digital future shouldn’t end up with there being a two tier system. “The industry and UK Government is pushing the take up of digital radio, but there is little or no incentive in rural areas where listeners will miss out on the next digital switch on.

“Not only do rural communities have access to fewer TV stations on Freeview, the UK Government has failed to address problems with mobile coverage, and now we’re being left behind the rest of the country when it comes to radio too.

Marc Tierney has written to Ofcom Wales to ask what can be done to resolve the technical restrictions with a view to opening up discussions with authorities in the Irish Republic.

“An international agreement is in place which co-ordinates the use of broadcast frequencies – all of the new radio stations launching on 29th February share a frequency which could also be used in the Irish Republic at some point in the future.

Marc concluded: “In the same way discussions took place to resolve interference from Ireland to Freeview services in Pembrokeshire in the past, I hope that there can be a positive solution can be found to enhance coverage, widening choice for listeners here in Wales.”

Crime

Attempted burglary at the Welsh Bakery, Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating an attempted burglary at the flat above the Welsh Bakery on Robert Street, Milford Haven. The incident is believed to have occurred between 4:30pm on Saturday, January 18, and 8:45am on Monday, January 20, 2025.

It is understood that force was used in an attempt to gain access to the upstairs flat.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact PC 865 Andy Baxter at Haverfordwest police station. You can reach out via:

Online: Dyfed-Powys Police Contact Form

Email: [email protected]

Direct message on social media

Phone: 101

Please quote reference number 50 of January 20.

Crime

Lung condition cited as defence in Haverfordwest drink-drive case

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LUNG condition has landed a Hakin man in the dock after he refused to give a breath test when suspected of driving through Haverfordwest town centre while over the drink-drive limit.

Frank Morrissey was stopped by officers on December 12 and asked to provide a roadside breath test. He refused.

This week Morrissey, 58, of Glebelands, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, where he denied failing to provide the breath test for analysis. His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, claimed his client suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a lung condition resulting in breathing difficulties. As a result, the defendant was unable to provide the breath test.

The case was adjourned to March 20, when Morrissey’s trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court. He was released on unconditional bail.

Crime

New Year’s Day drink-driver crashes into parked car

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A NEW YEAR’S DAY drinking spree has resulted in a lengthy disqualification for Pembroke motorist Pauline Turner, who crashed into a parked Mercedes while over twice the drink-drive limit.

Police were called to St Anne’s Crescent, Pembroke Dock, just before 2:30pm on January 1, following reports that a black Toyota Yaris had collided with a parked Mercedes.

Officers discovered Turner, 61, who admitted being the driver of the Yaris.

“She identified herself to police officers and told them that she’d consumed five or six pints,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

After admitting the charge of drink-driving, Turner, of Ashdale Lane, Pembroke, was disqualified from driving for 20 months. She was fined £150 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £60 surcharge.