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Act now on Hakin Cliff issue say politicians

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Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 09.45.15STEPHEN CRABB MP and Paul Davies AM are calling for action to remedy the long standing problem of a cliff collapse above Hakin Point in Milford Haven. A landslip occurred at the location on 1st July 2012, and two further land slips have occurred since. The cliff has a main sewerage pipe in it, prompting fears that any further landslips could cause damage to the pipe leading to major environmental problems.

The issue was highlighted in a two page report in The Herald last month.

A number of people who own properties under the cliff have had their properties severely damaged, and the footpath above the cliff that leads from Hakin Point to Point Fields has been closed as the area is now deemed too dangerous to allow people to use.

Commenting on the matter, Stephen Crabb MP said “I have been in touch with residents from Hakin Point for more than 3 years about this issue. They remain very concerned about the potential for further landslips and damage to their properties. Clearly this situation cannot continue and Pembrokeshire County Council and Dwr Cymru need to take action now to provide reassurance and clarity about future action.”

Paul Davies AM said “In order to try to resolve the situation, I organised a meeting in November 2014 which was attended by Stephen Crabb and senior officers from Dwr Cymru and Pembrokeshire County Council. I left the meeting with some optimism that Dwr Cymru and Pembrokeshire County Council could resolve this issue. It was agreed that both organisations would share existing reports on the matter and commission new reports to ascertain the current position. However, by June 2015, Dwr Cymru had decided it was not their responsibility to make good the cliff which would protect their mains sewerage pipe.”

Mr Davies continued “The mains sewerage pipe was laid by the then Milford Haven Urban District Council in the late 1960s, prior to the existence of Dwr Cymru. I have seen minutes from the Council between 1968 and 1970, which mention problems encountered when laying the pipe and “the crumbling cliff face”. Dwr Cymru are now responsible for the pipe, and I feel that for them to walk away from the problem is not good enough. It’s quite obvious that urgent action is required to tackle this matter. Dwr Cymru, in conjunction with Pembrokeshire County Council need to take action to stabilise the cliff to give peace of mind to Hakin Point property owners and to safeguard their mains sewerage pipe. In addition, this action would also mean that the footpath would reopen.”

One of the affected householders are Bryan and Ozra Johnson. Commenting on the situation Bryan Johnson said “As a local couple, when we bought our house in Hakin Point, we were convinced we’d found the perfect home. We spent many years restoring the property to its former glory. Then three and a half years ago our dream home literally collapsed around us; the cliff behind the house started to disintegrate showering the property with rocks and debris; no longer a dream but the start of a nightmare. Now large parts of the house are uninhabitable due to the damage but also due to the constant fear of further rock falls.”

Mr Johnson continued “We are further away than ever from a solution, with Dwr Cymru and Pembrokeshire County Council saying it is nothing to do with them. We have the added problem and worry of the sewerage pipe in the cliff face. Of course if we had an option to walk away and start building our lives again elsewhere that might be the answer, but our property at Hakin Point is our life, there is no option to walk away. We have invested financially and emotionally into the property, we’ve brought up our children here. Is it too much to ask for some honesty, some lateral thinking and above all some compassion from these organisations.”

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Rugby Weekly – Tenby’s promotion push continues

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It’s crunch time for all rugby clubs around the county, whether promotion is their aim or fighting relegation or even just trying to improve their league position, it’s now or never. 

Last weekend saw an important win for Fishguard in division two west which should put any relegation fears to bed completely. James Griffiths added an impressive 18 points for the Seagulls as they defeated Nantgaredig 33-19. 

Elsewhere in the second division, Milford were beaten 32-8 by a good Lampeter outfit. The Mariners are still a little too close for comfort with the drop zone but should have enough quality to see them safe. 

At the other end of the table Tenby sit in second place and have played fewer games than leaders St Clears and third place Lampeter. They won impressively again last weekend, beating Pontyberem 64-19 at Haywood Lane. Fletcher Broadhurst impressed with two tries as did Hywel Baker who also grabbed himself a brace. Another excellent performance in an outstanding season so far in which promotion would be the absolute icing on the cake. 

In Division Three West, Pembroke were well beaten by Laugharne 74-15 in which the outstanding Liam Price and Nico Setaro both crossed the whitewash 4 teams a piece. The latter also added 7 successful conversions. 

There was a local derby at Pill Parks where Llangwm hosted Pembroke Dock Quins and it was an exciting clash. The visitors won narrowly 28-23, Craig Barnett and Gethin Bradney both scored two tries for the Quins. The Wasps battled hard and will be proud of their performance, Gethin Thomas impressed for the hosts with two tries of his own but it wasn’t enough to secure the points. 

St David’s hosted the high flying Cardigan outfit and were unable to score in reply to the visitors 20 points, with it ending 20-0. The Saints however won’t be losing too much sleep over it as they have had a great season so far. 

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Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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