A TRIAL scheme for overnight motorhome and campervan parking close to the Fishguard ferry port is expected to be launched early in 2025.

Back in February, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed a proposal for a trial run ‘Pembs Stop’ scheme at four car parks: North Beach, Tenby; Goodwick Moor, Goodwick; Townsmoor, Narberth; and Western Way, Pembroke Dock.

The planned trial received national coverage, with a discussion on a phone-in programme on BBC Radio Wales.

But local tourism businesses said the proposals will harm them, and concerns about the trial were also raised by the official tourism industry group for Pembrokeshire, Visit Pembrokeshire.

Following that, a special council scrutiny committee meeting was held in April where the scheme was overwhelmingly rejected, which was later backed by the council’s Cabinet; instead agreeing to trial an overnight stopover facility for motorhomes at Goodwick Moor car park, linked to the ferry port, an idea which had gained some potential support at the April meeting.

That stopover facility will be for one night at a time, at £10 a night, 7pm-9am, the trial running for an 18-month period, with the potential to be extended to include Pembroke Dock’s Western Way car park later next year.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the trial would “balance the needs of local businesses against that of camper van users,” adding that campervans were already using the car park at Goodwick, the proposal would allow the council the opportunity “to regularise and influence” the existing situation and would “direct people from parking inappropriately”.

Members were told some 1,000 campervans were estimated to use the facility annually, and the council would seek to “uncover lessons learned” from a similar trial in Eryri.

The Goodwick trial is aimed to start in March, a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said, adding there may be a delay in a necessary traffic order for the scheme to progress.

THE MET OFFICE has issued a yellow weather warning for snow across Wales this weekend, predicting significant snowfall that could disrupt travel and daily life. The warning is in effect from noon on Saturday, January 4, 2024, until 9 AM on Monday, January 6, 2024.

The forecast indicates that lower elevations in Wales may see around 5 cm of snow, while higher ground, particularly in the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia, could experience accumulations of 20 to 30 cm. The most affected areas include:

• Wrexham: Anticipated snowfall of over 5 cm, impacting local travel.
• Ceredigion: Likely to see significant snow accumulation.
• Conwy and Denbighshire: These regions are under the warning and expected to face severe weather conditions.
• Gwynedd: Higher elevations could see substantial snowfall, creating hazardous conditions.
• Powys: Towns like Brecon and Llandrindod Wells are likely to experience heavy snow.

What to expect

As the weather front moves in, rain is expected to spread northeastward on Saturday, transitioning into snow as temperatures drop. The Met Office warns that the combination of snow and increasing winds could lead to drifting snow, complicating travel conditions.

Residents should prepare for:

• Travel Disruptions: Roads may become impassable due to snow accumulation, particularly in rural areas. Public transport services could also face delays or cancellations.
• Power Outages: The risk of power outages increases in some regions due to heavy snowfall and potential ice formation.
• Icy Conditions: As warmer air moves northward, there is a possibility of freezing rain, which would create additional hazards on roads and pavements.

Safety precautions

Authorities advise residents to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and take necessary precautions:

• Avoid unnecessary travel during the worst of the weather.
• Prepare emergency kits with essentials in case of power outages.
• Ensure vehicles are equipped for winter driving conditions.

The Met Office emphasises that while the situation is being closely monitored, adjustments to the warning area may occur as forecasts become more precise. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and prioritise safety as winter weather impacts Wales this weekend.

NO PLANS to review the decision to end car parking on a north Pembrokeshire beach are expected in 2025, with works on a new car park development due to start early this year.

Newport Sands/Traeth Mawr became car-free in May 2023, when Pembrokeshire coast National Park ended parking on the beach after purchasing the land in response to growing safety concerns.

It said the beach would be a ‘car-free’ zone, with exceptions only allowed for emergency services and essential car users such as the RNLI and coastguards.

A petition was later launched demanding a backtrack, saying an outright ban will have an adverse effect on a wide cross-section of beach users, including disabled visitors.

Last July, members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s authority agreed to keep the car-free resolution, along with “actively pursuing options of how to improve access for people living with disability”.

In December, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee approved an application by the national park for the demolition and replacement of the existing public convenience block, the creation of an access ramp and steps to south slipway, the erection of a beach wheelchair storage building, and works to the existing car park, including new pay and display machines, at Newport Sands PCNP Car Park, Golf Course Road.

The works include an extra 52 car parking spaces over the 43 currently there, along with an increase in disabled parking spaces.

A report for committee members received at the December meeting said: “The proposal will result in improved and enhanced services for visitors to the Newport Sands car park by providing better beach access, clearly laid out parking bays and pedestrian zones, improved public convenience facilities, and landscaping enhancements across the site. The provision of a changing places facility, beach wheelchair storage and new access ramp are likely to assist in enhancing access for wheelchair users to this site.”

Concerns had been raised by Nevern Community Council, who had called for its refusal, saying: “Nevern Community Councillors are concerned that visitors pay for the car parking and then also have to pay for the use of the toilets, it is felt that this double pay is ripping people off and taking advantage of visitors.”

Following a request for any review on the beach parking, a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park spokesperson said: “We don’t have any plans to issue further updates on Newport Sands in the coming year.

“Planning permission was granted in the December DM meeting, and the intention is to commence construction on phase 1 (ramps and car parking surface / wheelchair storage and landscaping) in early 2025.”