News

Milford Haven: Petition to save Charles Street bus shelter

Published

8 years ago

July 26, 2016

Milford Haven Charles Street Bus Station A PETITION has been started by Milford Haven resident Lorraine Turner to save the Charles Street bus shelter.

Following an act of vandalism which left panes of perspex glass broken, Pembrokeshire County Council failed to fix the damage, which then left the bus shelter open to further acts of vandalism.

According to the petition, the Council have stated that replacement parts are no longer available for the required repairs, and has declared the £2700 cost of replacing the shelter would “not be acceptable”.

Milford Town Council then voted on and approved a plan to remove the bus shelter to be removed entirely.

As of this afternoon (Jul 26) the petition has 104 signatures, and Lorraine has posted an update that indicates a new bus shelter may indeed be on the cards.

She says in her update: “The good news is that a representative of Pembrokeshire County Council visited the site during the day, and indicated that there may be a change of plan regarding the shelter.

“I later attended the Milford Haven Town Council meeting where, thanks to “public concerns raised on social media and in the press” it was agreed to reconsider the decision to allow the shelter to be removed.

“The PCC has offered to pay for the erection of a brand new shelter, on the condition that the MHTC cover the ongoing costs of any repairs. The big issue for them seems to be that of continuing vandalism, which it is hoped can be kept in check by any damage being reported to the police and Town Council as soon as it occurs.

“The question was asked as to the actual costs involved in repairing the perspex panels of the shelter. So, there may need to be more discussion between the two councils, but it looks like we are well on the way to a NEW bus shelter. Please keep the pressure on, by continuing to sign and share the petition – a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has done so, and been part of turning this decision round!”

You can view the petition here.

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3 Comments

Andrew Lye

July 28, 2016 at 1:29 pm

Well done Lorraine, for taking up the issue and getting a replacement arranged, Maybe if it hadnt been for the campaign, there would have been no shelter at all as its easy to remove any facility if its vandalised. It annoyed me, for example, that public toilets were closed due to vandalism. Those idiots are spoiling it for the rest of us and as we are in austerity, maybe PCC thought they could get away with removing the vandalised bus shelter. Lorraine is to be commended for fighting back. Lorraine should be on the Council.
Mikey J

August 1, 2016 at 9:42 am

“which then left the bus shelter open to further acts of vandalism”? How does not replacing the clear sheeting leave the shelter open to further acts of vandalism? I understand that slating the council is a popular blaming choice but missing perspex would not leave the shelter open to more vandalism.

Old block shelters were taken down and replaced with these new shelters with the idea it would reduce vandalism as whatever damage would be done to them would be seen by the public rather than as previously done hidden behind block walls. The fact that this shelter has been damaged multiple times show that the very tiny percentage who are vandalising the shelter don’t care if they are seen and the vandalism will happen again.

If the town council want to get this new shelter installed and not paying the constant almost certain costs repairing the damage done by the idiocy of the tiny percentage of local residents vandalising the shelter multiple times then why don’t the town council fund CCTV cameras as a deterrent? At least that way when it gets vandalised again there would be proof of who did the damage therefore saving them money. Just a thought.
Lorraine Turner

August 18, 2016 at 6:24 pm

I’ve only just seen this article! Thank you for the publicity, and it’s fantastic news that the shelter WILL be replaced AND maintained by Pembrokeshire County Council. I had been trying to get the old shelter repaired for well over a year (with the help of Councillor Stephen Joseph), and I think it very telling that it took a public campaign of barely four weeks to resolve the situation. What really caused me concern, was that questions of how much the shelter was being used, and how much replacing a panel of perspex actually costed, were only being asked as a result of this petition…LONG after the original decision had been rubber-stamped. I’m afraid the responsibility does indeed rest with the councillors, who control any funding for maintaining the fabric of our towns, together with associated services. If the people trusted to make these decisions are out of touch with people’s needs, they at least have a duty of care to FIND OUT before voting on actions that will have such long-term consequences.
And thank you, Andrew, for your kind words, but I really wouldn’t want that job, as I can appreciate that councillors also have their efforts and hard work frustrated by the system much of the time. From what I’ve seen of the local Town Council meetings, it is antiquated to say the least.
On a final note: I heard an anecdotal story of parents who sued a County Council (not far from here), after their son was injured by a rebounding rock he had thrown at a bus shelter. It bounced back off the perspex panel, and hit him on the head. They didn’t succeed in their claim, but the fact that perspex can be fitted which cannot be vandalised is a given. Just like the CCTV camera at the end of Charles Street which faces the bus shelter.

Health

Senedd votes to ban single-use vapes

Published

1 hour ago

December 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A VOTE has been passed in the Senedd today introducing new regulations to prohibit the supply of single-use vapes in Wales.

Introducing The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 to prohibit the supply (including for free) of single-use vapes in Wales will be another crucial step in tackling the litter and plastic pollution which blight our streets and environment.

Following the vote in the Senedd, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “This is a major step forward in tackling throwaway culture and the environmental impacts of single-use vapes. This is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and we continue to work with the other UK nations to address these challenges.

“Removing single-use vapes from the supply chain will stop them harming wildlife and the environment when they’re littered or sent to landfill. This ban will mean we generate less waste, clean up our streets, and protect nature and wildlife.”

The Regulations will come into force on 1 June 2025.

The Welsh Government has worked closely with UK Government and other Devolved Governments on this matter with all Nations commencing the bans at the same time.

This will enable the bans to be co-ordinated to improve compliance and help provide a consistent approach to enforcement across the UK.

No single-use vapes can be sold or given away for free after 1 June 2025. Businesses should speak to their suppliers now about ordering alternatives and start to educate staff and inform customers.

Businesses will need to organise, for their customers, the eventual safe disposal of their single-use vapes.

Crime

Man accused of ‘parasitic behaviour’ used woman for sex, money and drink

Published

5 hours ago

December 10, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of exploiting a vulnerable woman for sex, accommodation, finances, and alcohol has been made the subject of an interim Stalking Protection Order.

Mark Ion, 53, is set to be released from custody next Thursday, December 19.

This week, Dyfed-Powys Police solicitor Simon Schwarz urged Haverfordwest magistrates to impose the order to protect the victim, whom he described as “vulnerable, with drug and alcohol addiction issues.”

“She has been preyed upon by the defendant since September 2023,” Mr Schwarz told the court on Tuesday (Dec 10). “He has demonstrated parasitic behaviour towards her, using her for accommodation, finances, drink, and sex.

As soon as he’s released, he’ll be back, exhibiting coercive and controlling behaviour. His criminal record shows extreme violence towards women.”

Ion is accused of a prolonged period of control and abuse over the victim, with incidents dating back to October 2023.

Mr Schwarz presented harrowing evidence of Ion’s behaviour, including instances of violence and coercion.

October 6, 2023: A member of the public reported seeing Ion with the victim on a bench in Haverfordwest. The victim appeared intoxicated and barely conscious, slumped against Ion, who was seen with his hands inside her trousers. The victim was taken to the hospital but had no memory of the incident.
October 30, 2023: A 999 call led officers to an address in Slade Park, Haverfordwest, where the victim was found with a swollen eye. She alleged that Ion had hit her. At the time, Ion was subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with another woman living on the same street as the victim.
October 24, 2023: Ion and the victim were seen arguing on a bus from Haverfordwest to Pembroke Dock. Ion, drinking whisky, threatened to hit the victim with the bottle and struck another woman who intervened. This assault led to a custodial sentence.
November 21, 2023: A neighbour called 999 after hearing someone kicking the victim’s door. Ion was heard shouting, “Open the door, you f****** bitch,” while the victim was described as cowering like “a timid animal.”

Further incidents occurred, including a violent attack on June 8, 2024, when Ion punched the victim after she refused to have sex with him.

According to Mr Schwarz, Ion continued to harass the victim while in custody, sending letters that terrified her, including claims they would marry and have children.

Ion, currently serving a custodial sentence for an unrelated matter, appeared via video link from HM Parc Prison in Bridgend. He became aggressive during the hearing, leading prison staff to mute his comments.

After reviewing the evidence, magistrates imposed an interim Stalking Protection Order, effective from Ion’s release until a full hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on December 31. The order aims to safeguard the victim and prevent further contact.

“This is a woman who needs protection. It’s now clear her life is at risk,” Mr Schwarz concluded.

Community

Festive Friends spread cheer again at Milford Haven School

Published

6 hours ago

December 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE FESTIVE FRIENDS of Milford Haven School are back, bringing their Christmas magic to the community for a second year running.

Following the success of last year’s initiative, the Festive Friends project has returned to combat loneliness and spread holiday cheer. This heartwarming effort is made possible through support from the Ascona Community Foundation, whose funding has helped the students kick off another season of joy.

The pupils marked the start of Advent by visiting Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre, where they hosted a festive afternoon for the Stroke Survivors Group. Attendees were treated to Christmas bingo, seasonal quizzes, and delicious treats, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere.

One Milford Haven student reflected on the experience, saying: “It was an honour to be part of this project and socialise with the older members of our community. Their stories are so interesting, and they’re so funny.” Another student added: “I’m so happy our school lets us work with the community. It’s inspired me to give back in the future.”

The project’s impact was felt deeply by attendees, with one guest commenting: “This was such a lovely way to start the countdown to Christmas. I don’t get out much, so it was wonderful to be among friends and chat with young people from our community.” Another remarked: “The students were so polite and kind. The school should be incredibly proud of them.”

With its second year proving just as successful as the first, the Festive Friends project has once again highlighted the power of community, kindness, and Christmas spirit.