News

Fishguard’s railway is a ‘major disappointment’

Published

9 years ago

April 4, 2016

FISHGUARD has been branded the region’s worst rail performer due to its measly 20 % increase in passengers despite the millions of pounds in renovations and additions which have been invested in the station.

Official statistics from the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) have been analysed by Transport Consultant John Davies, who stated that the 21% increase in rail passengers at Fishguard and Goodwick station is a “major disappointment” due to the Welsh Government’s fight to fund the station’s additional train services.

Despite several Welsh stations seeing passenger growth of more than 200%, Mr Davies also suggested that there should be more improvements along the South Wales main lines due to the relatively small passenger growth in those areas.

He said that the 110 % growth along the Pembroke Dock line reflected the popularity of the twohourly service which was introduced in the station in 1998.

Analysis of the CBT’s recent online map of station usage shows that both the Fishguard Harbour and Fishguard and Goodwick stations have been seen to see-saw between a decrease and a 50-75 % increase in popularity since 1997.

Fishguard and Goodwick station was closed by British Railways when local services between Fishguard and Clarbeston Road were withdrawn on April 6, 1964.

Following the closure of normal passenger trains, the station remained in use for a few more months for workmen’s trains to the Royal Navy Armaments Depot in Trecwn.

Between June 18 1965 and September 18 1980, the station became the terminus of a seasonal motorail service from London. Early photographs of the station show the station building to be considerably shorter than it is today, due to the extension added for the unloading of motorail cars from the train.

The station was also used temporarily in the June of 1982, whilst the railway lines at the Fishguard Harbour station were being moved and re-laid. High speed train services ran through the station until the early 1990s, but services were ceased in 1994.

The reopening of Fishguard and Goodwick station as a railbus interchange was considered by Pembrokeshire County Council for a number of years.

In March 2011, it was announced by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones of the Welsh Assembly Government that they would provide a subsidy which would allow for an increase in train frequency at the Fishguard and Goodwick station in September 2011 from two trains per day to seven, a service which they wanted to be trialled for three years.

This announcement from the Welsh Assembly prompted a wider governmental search for the railway’s funding which was eventually successfully found, leading to an announcement that the station would then re-open in March 2012.

The re-opening work cost £325,000, which including the lowering and realigning of the old tracks by Network Rail, as well as the clearing of the old derelict timber station building. The Welsh Government spent approximately £1.4m funding five extra trains which run Monday to Saturday.

The North Pembrokeshire Transport Forum (NPTF) campaigned for a number for years for a better stations and improved services. They brought up the fact that the parking at the old station was expensive and would possible deter people from using the rail service.

Hatti Woakes, Secretary of the NPTF, said of Fishguard: “It has the potential to be a hub for so many things – walkers, cyclists, buses – the only thing missing was a decent train service. This is the last piece of the jigsaw, it is wonderful.

“We’re now getting people communing to Carmarthen, which we have never had before. One B&B owners says her business has doubled and the people who stay with her think that the new services are wonderful.

“We feel we’re now linked up with the rest of the world.” The Welsh Government said that the overall positive figures around Wales indicate that its aim of modernising the Welsh rail infrastructure seems to be working well.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: “Our significant investment in this area over a number of years has resulted in growing demand for rail services.”

“We intend to further build on this success when we take over full responsibility for the Wales and Borders rail franchise in 2018. This will give us greater ability to specify services to meet passenger needs across the full franchise area.”

An Arriva Trains Wales spokesperson said: “The healthy growth in passenger figures reflects the continuing popularity of rail travel across our network. Our own records indicate that the growth of overall passenger journeys since the start of the franchise in 2003 has been in excess of 60%.

“However, our franchise was designed for zero passenger growth and a limited fixed fleet for the entirety of its 15-year duration. In partnership with the Welsh Government and the Department for Transport, we have responded to these increases in customer demand.”

Recently, based on figures from the Office of Rail and Road, Arriva Train Wales came thirteenth in a poll of the top twenty significantly late train companies, which could perhaps deter people from using the service.

Between July and September 2015, Arriva had a score of 0.23%, which means that an average of two trains a day are considerably late, arriving between 30 minutes and 119 minutes behind their intended arrival time.

However, Wales’ only train station with falling numbers of passengers was the Conwy Valley line, whose performance had reduced by 40%. Mr Davies indicated that this was due to resulting flood damage and also the introduction of a competing bus service in the area.

The best performer in Wales was Gowerton train station near Swansea, in which there was a 2,100% increase in passengers, perhaps due to the Welsh Government funding a second track and full modernisation of the station back in 2013.

News

New ratings system for care services launches in Wales

Published

33 minutes ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A NEW inspection ratings system for care services in Wales comes into force on 1 April to help ensure people receive the best possible care.

Ratings will help people better understand the quality of care provided, making it easier for individuals and families to make informed decisions about their care options. 

All care homes and domiciliary support services across Wales will be given ratings and most required to display them at their premises and online, following an inspection.

The ratings will reflect the quality of care across four key themes: Well-being; Care and Support; Leadership and Management; Environment.

Each theme will be judged as being excellent, good, requires improvement or requires significant improvement.

The Welsh Government consulted on inspection ratings for care home services and domiciliary support services last year.

The new system has been developed in close collaboration with care providers and commissioners across Wales and will help drive high quality standards across care services.

Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) will support services through the implementation of the new system. Ratings will be clearly shown in inspection reports, on CIW’s website and on posters for the service provider to display.

Over the coming months, more and more services will be displaying their ratings, however it will take up to two years for all relevant services to be inspected and given their ratings.

The new system represents an important step change in supporting continuous improvement. 

Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said: “Care services throughout Wales have a crucial role in looking after people. For many of them, a care service can also be their home, where they live and thrive, and we want to keep ensuring they receive the best possible care.

“These ratings will enable people to make important decisions in choosing what’s right for them and support their well-being.

“They will also enable service providers to pinpoint their strengths as well as areas for growth and development.

“I want to thank the sector for their work in helping us develop the system.”

Chief Inspector at Care Inspectorate Wales, Gillian Baranski said: “This new ratings system will help people make informed choices about care services while supporting providers to continuously enhance the quality of care they deliver.

“Most care in Wales is good care. Ratings will highlight what is working well and support improvement where needed across Wales.”

Community

Family’s heartbreak as ‘beautiful’ 19-year-old takes his own life after night out

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A TEENAGER with a passion for rugby and a heart “full of love” took his own life at his home in Narberth after taking cocaine and leaving a note for his family.

Samuel Price, who was 19, died in the early hours of September 21, 2023, at a property in the centre of the Pembrokeshire town.

At an inquest held at County Hall in Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 27), the coroner heard how Sam had returned home after a busy day which included a job interview, a shift at a local pub, and rugby training. He had messaged his mother later that evening to ask to borrow some money, which she agreed to.

At 11:15pm, he contacted someone to ask about buying cocaine. He then began walking to a friend’s house but changed his mind and returned home. His stepfather found him unresponsive the following morning, and despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at 7:32am.

A note was discovered on his phone indicating his intention to end his life. A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as hanging, with recent cocaine use recorded as a contributing factor.

Sam’s mother, Clare Price, described her son as a “very happy kid” who was “beautiful” inside and out.

“This came completely out of the blue,” she told the hearing. “We had plans to go to a gig on Saturday night. He had a big, big heart and loved people so very much. There was no middle ground with Sam—he was very black and white. I want everyone to know that he was so much more than this. He was a beautiful human being.”

The coroner concluded that Sam had taken his own life and extended his condolences to the family.

A legacy of love and hope

Following Sam’s tragic death, his family has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention. His auntie Shelley, uncle Anthony, and cousins Hollie and Sophie recently completed a 19-mile walk from Minehead to Donniford—one mile for every year of Sam’s life.

The fundraiser, which has already passed £1,000, was part of a wider campaign led by Sam’s mother, Clare, who has raised more than £6,500 through her initiative, The Sammy-sized GAP. The project aims to strengthen support networks for people in crisis and push for changes in government policy, including allowing friends and family to refer vulnerable adults for mental health intervention.

***The Hooper family raised more than £1,000 in memory of Sam’s ‘vibrant’ life (Pic: Clare Sturman)***

Sam, who grew up in Minehead before moving to Pembrokeshire, was known for his love of rugby and was a proud member of Minehead Barbarians’ mini team, once taking part in a memorable trip to France with the side.

Speaking after the walk, Clare said: “The Hooper family’s walk is a powerful symbol—a tribute filled with love, but also a call to action. It echoes Sam’s vibrancy, emphasizing the need for suicide prevention education and support for those affected. From this tragedy, they are crafting a legacy of hope, ensuring that others find strength and assistance in their darkest moments.”

She has also warned against young people self-medicating to deal with anxiety, isolation and mental health struggles, urging anyone affected to seek proper help.

“If you knew our Sam, or know a young person who might be going through similar struggles—who might be tempted to numb the pain with drugs—please consider giving what you can to this fund,” she said. “On Sam’s behalf, we will be very grateful.”

Donations to The Sammy-sized GAP initiative can be made via GoFundMe.

If you or someone you know is struggling

If you are affected by the issues raised in this article, help is available.

You are not alone, and talking to someone can make a difference.

Samaritans offer a free, confidential 24/7 listening service. Call 116 123 at any time or visit www.samaritans.org for more support.
CALL Mental Health Helpline for Wales: Free support and listening service available 24/7 on 0800 132 737 or text “Help” to 81066.
Papyrus HOPELINE247: Support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts. Call 0800 068 41 41, text 07860 039967 or visit www.papyrus-uk.org.
Mind: Mental health charity offering advice and support. Visit www.mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393.

If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.

Crime

Police investigate theft of 75 sheep from Newcastle Emlyn farm

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS Police is investigating the theft of approximately 75 sheep from a farm in the Newcastle Emlyn area.

The lamb yearling ewes were reported missing from farmland near Rhydlewis. Officers believe the theft occurred sometime between March 7 and March 17, 2025.

The stolen sheep are described as white-faced, with clean white wool and a faint yellow spot. They are believed to be continental cross ewes, similar in appearance to Texel crosses.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and remains in police custody.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist with the investigation.

Anyone with details is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:

🖥️ | Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
📧 | Email: [email protected]
📞 | Call: 101

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.