News

‘Don’t Travel Unless You Have To’

Published

11 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

Man remanded in custody after trespassing with intention to commit sexual act

Published

8 hours ago

October 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A FISHGUARD man who has admitted the attempted strangulation of a woman and of trespassing at an unidentified address with the intention of committing a sexual act has appeared before Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

Benjamin Guiver, 34, was listed for sentence this afternoon (Monday, October 7) however his sentencing was adjourned after barristers went into counsel following the request of the defence.

Guiver, of Heol Glyndwr, Fishguard also stands to be sentenced for the grievous bodily harm of a victim described by Dyfed-Powys Police officers as having sustained ‘serious facial injuries’ in ‘a reportedly sustained attack’ and the sexual assault of a woman by penetration. He has pleaded guilty to all four offences.

Guiver’s sentencing will now proceed on October 18 and the defendant was remanded in custody.

News

Communities Taking the Lead to get Better Broadband

Published

8 hours ago

October 7, 2024

Luke Sinclair

Locals in Dale, Pembrokeshire successfully use UK Government’s Project Gigabit voucher scheme to connect the village with high-speed internet

Dale, a small rural community on the coast of Pembrokeshire has long endured poor internet connectivity that has plagued its residents with little to no ability to use the internet for work, communication or entertainment. With the movement of most services and day-to-day tasks to online, having limited internet access was having a detrimental effect on residents who were experiencing firsthand the digital divide.

However, after being told about a UK Government funded project by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Digital Champions, this has now thankfully changed and much of Dale is now connected to gigabit-capable broadband that serves the whole village.

Project Gigabit aims to provide lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband (1,000 Mbps) to homes and businesses across the UK. With £5 billion UK Government investment, it targets areas that currently have poor internet connectivity, enabling them to have access to the same high-speed internet as urban areas.

With the voucher scheme, residents and businesses in eligible areas have been able to apply for financial help to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband.

Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Connecting our rural communities is a significant step in the digital infrastructure of Pembrokeshire.

“Along with our partners, this extensive programme of work has transformed full fibre connectivity and will futureproof the network in our county.

“The commitment from this authority will ensure our communities won’t be left without connection.

“There is more to do, but thanks to a proactive approach by the County Council, full fibre will be offered to more and more communities all the time.”

The benefits of being better connected rurally are uncontested with the results already being seen in Dale. From helping local businesses to improving access to digital services, having reliable, fast internet access has been the core of the connectivity solution for the Pembrokeshire village.

Going forward, the UK Government ‘Project Gigabit’ is about making sure everyone in the UK, no matter where they live, has access to fast and reliable internet, bridging the digital divide and providing the opportunity for every harder to reach community to stay connected.

Crime

Pembrokeshire chef admits causing taxi driver’s death

Published

12 hours ago

October 7, 2024

Court Reporter

A CHEF from Pembrokeshire has admitted causing the death local taxi driver, Christopher Boyle.

Mateusz Sikorski, 30, formerly of Manorbier and now residing in the Narberth area, appeared at Swansea Crown Court today, Monday, 7 October. Sikorski pleaded guilty to causing the death of 57-year-old Mr Boyle on 2 September 2024 while driving a BMW Series 1 car on the A4139 in Penally.

Sikorski was initially arrested and charged shortly after the incident and first appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court on 5 September, where he was remanded in custody. However, on 12 September, Sikorski was granted bail with several strict conditions: he must reside in the Narberth area, adhere to an 8 pm-8 am curfew, and report to a police station weekly. He was also issued an interim driving ban.

The fatal crash, which involved Sikorski’s car and Mr Boyle’s silver Volkswagen taxi, occurred on the Penally by-pass near Tenby. Mr Boyle, affectionately known as “Mucker,” was a father-of-five and a well-known figure in the community. Sadly, he died at the scene of the collision.

During today’s hearing, Judge Catherine Richards renewed Sikorski’s bail conditions and adjourned the case for sentencing until Friday, 8 November.