News

‘Don’t Travel Unless You Have To’

Published

12 years ago

February 12, 2014

Roof which blew off a house in Robert Street, Milford Haven, Wednesday.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has urged residents not to travel unless they have to as strong winds are causing chaos across the county.

Roads, schools and businesses were all forced to close as winds hit speeds of nearly 100mph and a Red weather warning was issued by the Met Office.

Pedestrians and motorists in Pembrokeshire are being urged to take extreme care when approaching buildings and trees, in today’s very severe weather conditions. There is a great risk of falling debris from buildings and trees, with the very strong winds in the county today, which are forecast to persist well into this evening.

Winds of 93.6 mph have already been recorded on the Cleddau Bridge and there are Hurricane Force 12 winds off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Tree down at St Giles church in Letterston. Blocking road at present. Picture by Karl Hedley.

“The message is –don’t travel or walk unless you really, really have to,” said Darren Thomas, Head of Highways at Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Also, if you are travelling with caravans or mobile homes, it would be sensible to seek a sheltered location for these until the winds have died down”.

A number of schools were closed including Portfield School in Haverfordwest, Manorbier School, Ysgol y Preseli and Ysgol y Frenni in Crymych. Ysgol Geryllan, Letterston, Solva Primary School was closed after the roof was damaged, Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, Cosheston VC, Coastlands School / Ysgol y Glannau in St Ishmael`s, Greenhill School in Tenby and Cleddau Reach Primary School also closed.

Pembrokeshire College also closed just after mid-day as a result of the weather.

Many houses are also without power.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council staff were on standby at Newgale where there are already considerable waves and extremely high winds. The road at the seafront is closed to high sided vehicles with further assessment for full closure nearer high tide (which is at approx 5.30pm).

Although Council staff were unable to attend to fallen trees until the wind dropped to safe working levels, they are attending to close roads where necessary.

A door was been blown off a service bus on an exposed road at Penycwm on the A487. No-one is injured and a relief bus is en-route.

Tree down in St Giles church grounds, roots showing. Picture by Ben Franklin

The Cleddau Bridge was also closed to all traffic.

Middle Street in Rosemarket was partially blocked due to fallen tree at West Street.

New Road partially blocked due to fallen tree at West Hook Road / Lower Quay Road.

There were Several fallen trees in the road at Llangwm. The road is closed between Llangwm and Trooper’s Inn – and is likely to remain closed for the majority of the day.

Road between Rosemarket & Burton was closed due to shed debris.

The Main Road by the Church in Letterston was also blocked and there was a tree down between Jefferyston and Creselly.

Whitland fire brigade had to attend Llandewi Velfrey Service Station as there were concerns that the forecourt roof could blow off so equipment was put up to keep it in place.

News

Former West Wales MS says Starmer resignation felt ‘increasingly inevitable’

Published

33 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Samuel Kurtz says public frustration has grown after two years of Labour controversies and policy decisions

FORMER West Wales MS Samuel Kurtz has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation felt “increasingly inevitable” after months of controversy and public frustration.

The Welsh Conservative said he watched the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement with “genuine frustration”, adding that he wanted the UK to be respected regardless of which party was in government.

Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader, just 12 days before the second anniversary of Labour’s 2024 general election victory.

Mr Kurtz said: “As a British citizen, I sighed genuine frustration while watching this morning. Whatever the political colour of the Government, I want our country to be respected at home and on the international stage.

“But, in truth, this moment has felt increasingly inevitable as the weeks turned into months.”

He pointed to a series of controversies and policy decisions, including the Lord Alli gifts row, winter fuel allowance cuts, the Family Farm Tax, rising National Insurance, defence spending and domestic energy production.

Mr Kurtz said people “simply feel worse off”, adding that confidence in the economy remained low.

He said: “A Government should ultimately be judged on whether life is getting better for the people it serves.

“After two years marked by the controversies and a series of damaging policy decisions mentioned above, it’s difficult to argue this Government has passed that test.”

Mr Kurtz also questioned what would happen next, asking whether Labour would see an “Andy Burnham coronation”, whether Wes Streeting could build enough support, or whether an outsider could emerge.

He added that he would be watching the leadership contest “from the sidelines with interest”.

Labour is expected to open nominations for a new leader on July 9, with Starmer remaining in office until his successor is chosen.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

39 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

1 hour ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.