A RUMOUR that National Express coaches may struggle to use Haverfordwest’s new transport interchange has been denied by Pembrokeshire County Council — although the coach operator has stopped short of confirming it will definitely use the facility when it opens.

The Herald asked the council whether the new interchange, currently under construction in Haverfordwest, had sufficient height clearance for full-size long-distance coaches.

Concerns had been raised locally after published images of the scheme appeared to show a relatively low covered bus area.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the new facility had been designed to accommodate the National Express service operating within the county.

A council spokesperson said: “Pembrokeshire County Council can confirm that the new Haverfordwest Transport Interchange has been designed to accommodate the National Express service operating within Pembrokeshire.

“The facility has been constructed in line with the operational requirements identified for the local National Express route, including appropriate bay design and clearance to enable safe access for those vehicles.

“The new interchange will provide a modern, high-quality transport hub for Pembrokeshire, improving passenger experience and connectivity across the county and beyond.”

The council confirmed that the interchange bus area has a minimum clearance height of 4.1m, with an entry height of 4.280m.

However, it also said the bus area had been developed “primarily for local service buses” and that the overall build height limits some access due to planning requirements.

The facility will be signed with an access limit of 4.0m.

Asked whether National Express services would use the new interchange once operational, the council said operators would have to complete their own risk assessments to ensure both they and PCC were satisfied that services could operate safely within the interchange.

PCC also confirmed that a swept-path analysis and height assessment had been undertaken.

National Express has also responded to The Herald, but its statement leaves final use of the interchange dependent on risk assessments.

A spokesperson for National Express said: “Subject to satisfactory risk assessments, it would be our intention to use the new Haverfordwest Transport Interchange. We are continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders regarding the operational arrangements.”

The response means that while the council insists the new facility has been designed for the local National Express route, the operator has not yet given an unconditional confirmation that its coaches will use the interchange when it opens.

The new Haverfordwest Transport Interchange is intended to provide a modern hub for bus and coach services in the county town.

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted a cocaine offence, but prosecutors are disputing the basis of his plea.

Callum Chadwick, 26, of Barn Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Monday (June 1).

The court heard Chadwick admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between June 27, 2024 and May 9, 2026. Prosecutors also referred to “substantial unexplained credits” moving in and out of his bank account.

Chadwick pleaded guilty, but the Crown has not accepted the basis of his plea.

He claimed the cocaine was intended solely to feed his own drug habit. However, prosecutors argued the evidence suggested an intention to supply the drug.

During the hearing, the judge said Chadwick “essentially has good character” and granted his legal representatives 14 days to identify and serve relevant material.

Once that material has been reviewed, Chadwick will have the opportunity to decide whether he wishes to change the basis of his plea.

A further court date has yet to be fixed.

RSPCA appeals for information as cats and wildlife targeted in Hakin area

A CAT has died after being shot twice with an air gun in Milford Haven, prompting a fresh appeal from RSPCA Cymru.

The animal welfare charity said concern is growing after a number of cats and a pigeon were shot in the Hakin area in recent weeks.

The latest case involves a cat which was taken to All Pets Vet Care on May 11 after being shot in the left hind leg. A pellet was found embedded in the bone and vets planned to remove it after treating the cat with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

But the same cat was brought back to the practice in a collapsed state on Tuesday (May 26), unable to use either of its hind legs.

Further X-rays showed a second pellet in the right thigh, which had caused a serious femoral fracture. A healing fracture was also visible in the left tibia. Sadly, the cat died overnight.

‘Really upsetting’

Dr Cethin Ravenhill, from All Pets Vet Care said: “This has been really upsetting to deal with and I am shocked that anyone would shoot an animal with an air gun, as the shot is very unlikely to kill the animal, but just maim and seriously wound them, leading to a slow and painful death and significant suffering.

“For this cat to have been shot twice is very upsetting. Also, sometime between May 11 and last night, a fracture of his tibia was sustained on the left hind leg, which showed evidence of healing on the X-ray.

“This means this fracture is at least twelve or so days old. The two pellets were visible from the latest X-rays along with a severe, fresh femoral fracture of the right hind leg.

“He was signed over to the practice and received emergency supportive care overnight including antibiotics, but unfortunately passed away in the early hours of the morning, most likely due to sepsis from the femoral fracture caused by the pellet.”

Previous attacks

The latest incident follows an appeal last month after a pigeon was found injured on Charles Street by a passer-by.

The bird was examined at All Pets Vet Care after the incident on April 21, and a pellet was found to have shattered through its wing bones. The pigeon was later put to sleep.

In March, the RSPCA also appealed for information after several cats were shot with an air gun in the area. At least one cat died and three others were injured.

RSPCA Cymru fears other cats and wildlife may also have been targeted and is urging the local community to help by reporting any information.

Inspector Keith Hogben, who is investigating the incidents, said: “The report of another cat being shot — and for a second time — is extremely concerning.

“It is heartbreaking to lose a pet, but it is devastating to find out that an air gun pellet had been the cause.

“There is a growing concern that cats and wildlife are being deliberately targeted and killed in this way — there is no excuse to harm a defenceless animal.”

Police informed

Dyfed-Powys Police have been informed.

Anyone deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine if convicted under the Animal Welfare Act.

Deliberately injuring or killing wild birds is also a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Inspector Hogben added: “Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01751732.

“We would also ask parents and carers to speak to and educate young people about this.”

The RSPCA says it receives almost 1,000 calls every year about air gun attacks, with cats and wildlife among the most vulnerable animals because they are often outside with no one to protect them.

Inspector Hogben said: “We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect, and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past.

“We continue to call for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop, could help relieve the problem.”

Anyone who witnesses animal cruelty or finds an injured animal can report it through the RSPCA website.