News

A ‘poorly planned’ pavement

Published

10 years ago

February 29, 2016

New path: Requiring the tearing up of the central reservation

ON TUESDAY (Feb 9) The Herald was made aware of road works going on outside of a farm at the top of Pope Hill, Haverfordwest, which were described as ‘badly planned and a waste of Welsh tax payers money’ by farm owners.

The controversial new road works which are being completed by Atkins Contractors have been commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council to dig up an existing central reservation separating the main A4076 road into Haverfordwest and a lay-by.

Formerly, members of the public (which farm owner Andrew Clark said you can count daily on one hand), had to walk around the outer perimeter of the lay-by before rejoining the section of pavement without crossing the path of traffic.

However with the new layout, College students, parents and cyclists will be forced to cross both the entrance and exit of the lay-by along the busy main road.

Andrew Clark said: “These works are going ahead and we haven’t even been consulted with, or notified.”

“They are going to have to dig up and remove a small portion of my land to join this new pavement to the current path, which isn’t as much my issue as the cost of the whole job which I expect will be a six-figure contract.” He added.

Mrs Clark said: “They could have spent the funds much more wisely.” She explained: “The new supermarket in Johnston is great, but for years it has had the problem of people abusing the large pavement area in front of it, instead of making use of the shops large car park.”

She continued: “Many times I have been there and seen cars wrongly parked, which has forced prams and mobility scooter to have to walk around very near to the road, once I’ve even seen a car pull up so close to the cash point on the outer wall of the shop that they leaned out to withdraw cash without having to leave their car.

“Why are funds not spent on things which matter like preventing this happening?”

The couple explained how Dredgmen Hill the opposite side of the hill crest has a cycle path running it’s length, which stops at the lay-by which they are working on.

Mrs Clark explained: “Everyone we’ve contacted about this has said that they are not looking to make the pavement along Johnston side of the hill into a cycle path.”

She said how that would be a very wise way to spend a small amount of funds as it would force the council to have pavement indicators of their three property exits, which are currently not labelled to the cyclists who ride very quickly down the hill.

Mr Clark said: “Sometimes I’ve been leaving and cyclists not paying full attention have had to last minute swerve behind my car, it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.”

On Tuesday afternoon Mr and Mrs Clarke were approached by a spokesperson from Atkins Contractors who presented a letter which should have been sent out prior to works beginning and sat down to explain what was happening.

Johnston Cllr Ken Rowlands speaking about the cash point parking issue said: “I raised this issue six to nine months ago and they are dragging their feet, I have seen young children with their parents forced to walk close to the road by vehicles.”

He was also contacted by the Clarks, but initially had no idea about the road works, so got in touch with Trunk Road Agency who have said they will be more transparent in the future: “I remember before when there was a lot of communication between Pembrokeshire County Council and the agency, and both used to work very closely, but more recently this has not been there. They have assured me that this will improve.”

After the current works are completed on the lay-by works will begin on another further along the road towards Haverfordwest.

The spokesperson for Atkins explained this is to join the path between Haverfordwest and Johnston as these were previously the only two breaks. They did not address the continuation of the cycle path.

Speaking on the specifically highlighted areas, Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Our road safety and traffic manger has recently met with the local member to discuss putting up bollards in John Street and he has also arranged to meet with the town council along with the local member later this month to look at putting additional double yellow lines in the town. Civil Enforcement Officers are regularly deployed to the area.”

Community

Craig Flannery appointed as new Chief Fire Officer

Published

4 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID AND WEST WALES FIRE SERVICE LEADERSHIP CHANGE

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has announced the appointment of Craig Flannery as its new Chief Fire Officer, with effect from Monday, December 15, 2025.

Mr Flannery has served with the Service for more than twenty years, progressing through a wide range of middle management and senior leadership roles across both operational and non-operational departments.

During his career, he has been closely involved in strengthening operational delivery, risk management and organisational development. His work has included leading innovation in learning and development, overseeing the Service’s On-Call Improvement Programme, and driving investment in key enabling functions such as workforce development and information and communication technology.

The appointment followed a rigorous, multi-stage recruitment process led by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. Candidates were assessed through structured interviews, strategic leadership exercises and scenario-based assessments designed to test operational judgement, organisational vision and the ability to lead a modern fire and rescue service.

External professional assessors were also engaged to provide independent scrutiny, ensuring the process met high standards of fairness, transparency and challenge.

Mr Flannery emerged as the strongest candidate, demonstrating clear strategic leadership capability, detailed organisational knowledge and a strong commitment to community safety and service improvement.

Councillor John Davies, Chair of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “Craig brings a deep understanding of our Service and a clear vision for its future. His appointment will strengthen our ability to innovate, support our workforce and deliver high-quality protection for the communities we serve.

“As we navigate a rapidly changing landscape, Craig’s experience in driving innovation and organisational development will be invaluable in helping us adapt and transform for the future.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Flannery said: “It is a privilege to lead this outstanding Service. I am committed to supporting our people, strengthening partnerships and building on the strong foundations already in place.

“As the challenges facing fire and rescue services continue to evolve, we must modernise and innovate, ensuring we have the skills, technology and capability needed to meet the needs of our communities. I look forward to working with colleagues and partners across Mid and West Wales to deliver a resilient, progressive Service that keeps people safe and places our staff at the heart of everything we do.”

Health

Resident doctors in Wales vote to accept new contract

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENT doctors across Wales have voted to accept a new contract, with 83% of those who took part in a referendum backing the agreement, according to BMA Cymru Wales.

The contract includes a four per cent additional investment in the resident doctor workforce and introduces a range of reforms aimed at improving training conditions, wellbeing and long-term workforce sustainability within NHS Wales. The BMA says the deal also supports progress towards pay restoration, which remains a central issue for doctors.

Key changes include new safeguards to limit the most fatiguing working patterns, measures intended to address medical unemployment and career progression concerns, and reforms to study budgets and study leave to improve access to training opportunities.

Negotiations between the BMA’s Welsh Resident Doctors Committee, NHS Wales Employers and the Welsh Government concluded earlier this year. Following a consultation period, a referendum of resident doctors and final-year medical students in Wales was held, resulting in a clear majority in favour of the proposals.

Welsh Resident Doctors Committee chair Dr Oba Babs Osibodu said the agreement marked a significant step forward for doctors working in Wales.

He said: “We’re proud to have negotiated this contract, which offers our colleagues and the future generation of doctors safer terms of service, fairer pay, and better prospects so that they can grow and develop their careers in Wales.

“This contract will help to retain the doctors already in training, and also attract more doctors to work in Wales, where they can offer their expertise and benefit patients.”

Dr Osibodu added that the BMA remains committed to achieving full pay restoration and acknowledged that challenges remain for some doctors.

“Whilst this contract sets the foundations for a brighter future for resident doctors in Wales, we recognise that there are still doctors who are struggling to develop their careers and secure permanent work,” he said. “We need to work with the Welsh Government and NHS employers to address training bottlenecks and underemployment.”

The Welsh Government has previously said it recognises the pressures facing resident doctors and the importance of improving recruitment and retention across NHS Wales, while also highlighting the need to balance pay agreements with wider NHS funding pressures and patient demand.

The new contract is expected to be phased in from August 2026. It will initially apply to doctors in foundation programmes, those in specialty training with unbanded rotas, and new starters, before being rolled out to all resident doctors across Wales.

Crime

Swansea man jailed for online child sex offence dies in prison

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man who was jailed earlier this year for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child has died while in custody.

Gareth Davies, aged 59, of the Maritime Quarter, was serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in May of sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy used as part of an online safeguarding operation.

The court heard that Davies began communicating with the decoy between November and December 2024 and persistently pursued the individual, later attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He was arrested after being confronted by the decoy operators.

Davies had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial. At the time of sentencing, police described the messages as extremely concerning and said his imprisonment was necessary to protect children.

It has now been confirmed that Davies died at HMP Parc on Wednesday (Nov 27) while serving his sentence.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent investigation into the death, which is standard procedure in all cases where someone dies in custody. No cause of death has been released at this stage.

A coroner will determine the circumstances in due course.