PEMBROKESHIRE Senedd Members Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have accused the Welsh Government of overlooking the county’s ports after a ministerial statement on the Irish Sea Taskforce failed to mention either Pembroke Dock or Fishguard.

The Irish Sea Taskforce was set up following the temporary closure of Holyhead Port in late 2024 after damage to its berths. The aim was to improve resilience across Welsh and Irish Sea routes, bringing together the Welsh and Irish governments, other UK administrations, local authorities and port, ferry and logistics operators.

But Pembrokeshire’s two MSs said the Transport Secretary’s written statement referenced Holyhead directly while making no specific mention of Fishguard Harbour or Pembroke Dock, despite their role as key ferry terminals and their importance to the regional economy.

During the Holyhead disruption, operators and passengers were forced to seek alternatives, placing additional focus on other Irish Sea routes. The politicians argued that Pembrokeshire’s ports should be recognised in Welsh Government plans for future contingencies, investment and long term connectivity.

The Welsh Government statement did acknowledge the need to look at further improvements to the A40 and A477 trunk roads through Pembrokeshire as part of wider resilience planning, including how disruption at ports is managed and how welfare needs for stranded drivers are met.

Commenting, Paul Davies MS said: “Pembrokeshire plays a strategically vital role in strengthening the long standing relationship between Wales and Ireland and so it’s disappointing that our local ports were not acknowledged in the Welsh Government’s latest statement on the Irish Sea Taskforce. These ports are critical to our regional economy, and they form an essential part of the wider UK Ireland connectivity network.

“Moving forward, I look forward to hearing more about how the Welsh Government will be improving the A40 to better support trade links between the two countries. I’ve long campaigned for the A40 to be dualled to Fishguard and I hope the Welsh Government will seriously consider this proposal, as a way of further strengthening the transport network in the region.”

Samuel Kurtz MS added: “Paul and I are deeply concerned that this Taskforce has not been given the same level of attention to the needs of the ports at Pembroke Dock and Fishguard as it has to Holyhead. These ports are central to the Pembrokeshire economy, they came to the rescue when Holyhead was forced to close, and their role and futures must not be overlooked, and I’ve raised this repeatedly on the floor of the Senedd.

“Sadly, yet again it seems that Pembrokeshire and all it can offer, is a blind spot for Labour Ministers in Cardiff Bay.”

The Welsh Government said the Taskforce work will feed into a wider ports and maritime, freight and logistics plan, with further work also expected on contingency arrangements during disruption, including stacking and driver welfare measures. Ministers have also indicated they want closer ongoing engagement with the sector through a follow on council focused on logistics and freight.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government whether it accepts Pembrokeshire’s ports should have been referenced directly in the Taskforce statement and what, if any, specific work is planned to support Fishguard Harbour and Pembroke Dock alongside road improvements on the A40 and A477.

LOCAL businesses are being urged to check their new rateable values immediately to understand whether recent changes could increase their business rates bills.

Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has warned that many firms may be unaware of how the updated valuations could impact them financially and is encouraging business owners to act quickly.

“Business rates are already a major burden for many local businesses,” Kurtz said. “With new rateable values now in place, it’s vital that businesses check their valuation as soon as possible to see whether it will affect what they pay. Too many businesses only realise there’s an issue when the bill arrives. Businesses can visit the VOA website and search their property by postcode or address.”

Rateable values are used to calculate business rates and are based on factors such as rental values and property use. Changes to these valuations can result in higher bills, even where a business has not expanded or increased turnover.

Kurtz stressed that early action is key, particularly for small and independent businesses operating on tight margins.

“Checking your rateable value early gives you time to understand the changes, seek advice, and challenge the valuation if it appears incorrect. Waiting could mean missed opportunities to reduce costs or appeal.”

Businesses are also being encouraged to attend the local information event online to better understand reliefs, exemptions, and the appeals process.

“At a time when costs are rising across the board, businesses need clarity and support, not surprises. I would urge every business owner to take a few minutes to check their rateable value and make sure it’s right.”

Samuel Kurtz MS has also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford MS, calling on the Welsh Government to follow the UK Labour Government’s apparent change of direction on business rates in England warning that rising rateable values are pushing Welsh businesses to the brink.

For more information on business rates and for a chance to attend the upcoming advice session with the Valuation Office Agency hosted by Kurtz and Paul Davies MS on the 26^th January, businesses are encouraged to register their interest on www.samuelkurtz.wales

A PUBLIC consultation which could lead to the ending of an air quality management scheme in Pembroke and Haverfordwest, brought in after high levels of pollution were recorded back in 2012, has been backed.

At the Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet meeting of January 12, members were recommended to support a six-week public consultation on the proposal to revoke the Haverfordwest and Pembroke Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).

A report for members ahead of the meeting, presented by Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services Cllr Jacob Williams said: “In 2012, Pembrokeshire County Council identified that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were exceeding the national annual mean objective within certain areas of Pembroke (specifically along Main Street) and within sections of Haverfordwest’s main commercial streets.

“The elevated concentrations were attributed primarily to road traffic emissions, particularly in narrow streets where vehicle emissions were less effectively dispersed. Although the number of exceedances was limited, the council had a statutory duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to take action to achieve and maintain compliance with national air quality objectives.

“Consequently, as a precautionary measure, Pembrokeshire County Council formally designated these areas as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).”

It added: “To support the AQMA designations, a comprehensive local monitoring network was established, comprising 48 diffusion tube monitoring stations across both Haverfordwest and Pembroke. Each diffusion tube is tested and replaced on a monthly basis, providing a continuous dataset on ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations to track progress and assess the effectiveness of implemented measures.

“Over several years, measured NO₂ levels have shown a consistent downward trend, reflecting the effectiveness of local emission reduction measures and broader improvements in vehicle technology and fleet composition.”

It says monitoring over the last three years has shown levels to be below national objective and precautionary threshold levels, adding: “On the basis of this sustained compliance and the clear evidence of air quality improvement, Pembrokeshire County Council proposes to revoke both the Haverfordwest and Pembroke AQMAs.”

It stressed: “Although the statutory Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) designations for Haverfordwest and Pembroke have been proposed for revocation; Pembrokeshire County Council will continue to undertake air quality monitoring to ensure that standards are consistently maintained and that public health remains protected.”

Cllr Alistair Cameron said: “This is a good news story, it’s so important for people to breathe good quality air in Pembroke and Haverfordwest.”

He was joined by Leader Cllr Jon Harvey, who represents Pembroke St Mary North, who said: “Modern vehicles are less pollutive than previous ones, it’s a good news story.”