WORKS on a south Pembrokeshire beach-side coastal path, repeatedly hit by landslides since late 2023, has cost the council nearly £700,000 to date, councillors heard.

The coastal path near Saundersfoot and Wisemans Bridge, known as the Tramway, is currently closed after the latest landslides and is expected to remain so until the early summer, after a further fall happened towards the western end of the Wisemans Bridge to Coppet Hall cycleway, between the Coppet Hall and Wisemans Bridge tunnels, affecting access between Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall beach.

The top path remains open.

The coastal path was previously closed after it experienced ‘substantial rock falls’ in late 2023 and early 2024, with substantial investment made by the council to reopen the route before the latest landslides.

At the March 6 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, a submitted question on the landslip-hit coastal path, made by Cllr Alan Dennison, was heard.

Cllr Dennison asked: “Could the Cabinet Member responsible for Highways provide information on the total expenditure incurred for the repair of the original landslip at Amroth including the projected costs for addressing the most recent landslip, and is the council pursuing reimbursement from the landowner and if not, why not?”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said costs associated with the original 2023-’24 landslips amounted to £453,412, lower than the original estimates, with the costs of the more recent landslips currently amounting to some £235,000 to date.

On the question of reimbursement, he said: “The collapse of the cliff face is a natural occurrence rather than a deliberate action so therefore remedial costs will not be reasonable from the landowner,” the council having a duty to clear obstructions from the path as it was a right of way.

In a supplementary question, Cllr Dennison raised the issue of a long-term coastal path closure in his own area, Hakin Point, Milford Haven, asking if any remediation works work be done there.

Cllr Sinnett told members there was a legal duty to undertake works at the Wisemans path as falls had obstructed a public right of way, the Hakin path differing as its landslide had resulted in the loss of the majority of the path.

He said there was no possibility of requiring the owners of the Hakin path to restore it after its “Act of God” loss.

A temporary prohibition order affecting access to the Wisemans Bridge path was made by the local authority late in February, expected to last some four months.

During last year’s works at Wiseman’s Bridge, local councillor Chris Williams hit out at “selfish” path users putting others at risk by repeatedly cutting open safety barriers and fencing while the repair works were being undertaken.

(Images by Gareth Davies Photography)

THE QUEENS HALL in Narberth has been awarded the Investing in Volunteers quality mark for good practice in volunteer management at their Narberth-based venue. The Standard shows that the charity values their volunteers and demonstrates their commitment to volunteering within the organisation.

The Chair of UKVF said: “UKVF is delighted to announce The Queens Hall Narberth‘s successful achievement of this Award. They have demonstrated a real commitment to volunteering and proven that their volunteer management policies and procedures meet nationally recognised standards.”

Donna Morris, the charities’ Volunteer Manager said told The Pembrokeshire Herald: Here at The Queens Hall, we have focused on further developing our volunteer offer to enhance volunteer wellbeing and opportunities. A recent wellbeing survey highlighted that our volunteers feel supported, that they are part of The Queens Hall, and that their contribution makes a difference. We have strived to create a safe and social environment where volunteers can thrive, feel valued, and build connections with others.

“The Queens Hall Narberth has a positive approach to inclusion, equity, and diversity and is proactive in making volunteering accessible. Volunteering is embedded within the overall vision, values, and aims of the charity, and its impact is recognised and communicated. Volunteers are valued, and there are opportunities for them to develop and grow through their volunteer experience.

“Completing the Investing in Volunteers Wales award process is our way of thanking and celebrating volunteers and the unique contributions they’ve made. This award serves as the foundation for our volunteering efforts moving forward. It reinforces our commitment to providing meaningful opportunities, improving volunteer wellbeing, and ensuring that volunteering remains a core part of The Queens Hall’s future. We will continue to build on this achievement, ensuring that volunteers feel empowered, appreciated, and integral to everything we do.”

Bob Phillips, Secretary of the Board of Queens Hall Trustees said: “We are delighted that the Queens Hall, Narberth has been recognised for its work with volunteers.

“The Investing in Volunteers Wales award and certification reflects the massive contribution that our ever-expanding team of volunteers make to the Queens Hall and the wider community.”

Supply of cannabis in South West Wales was disrupted by operation, say police

TWO men who tried to evade officers by smashing through the roof of a house will be sentenced later this month.

Three west Wales cannabis growers who were arrested as part of a police offensive to tackle organised criminal networks have pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and will be sentenced later this month.

Dorjan Dautaj and Ergys Dautaj, both 24, were inside a house on Swansea Road, Trebanos, when tactical search teams forced entry on February 13.

They smashed their way up through the roof of the Swansea house and risked their lives to escape by jumping onto a neighbouring roof.

But there was no way out, and they surrendered to officers waiting below.

Cannabis plants in varying stages of growth were discovered in two bedrooms, the living room, and the attic of one of the properties, which had been extensively and dangerously modified to cultivate the drug.

Both pleaded guilty to cannabis production and will appear alongside another man, Osman Sallaku, 21, to be sentenced on Friday, March 21. Sallaku was arrested at a nearby address on the same day in what were co-ordinated police warrants.

They are among 12 people arrested during a month-long police crackdown throughout February. Warrants were executed across south Wales, including in Swansea, Cardiff, and the south Wales valleys, as part of the third phase of a national effort to disrupt organised crime groups known as Operation Millie.

Nearly 1,000 plants were also discovered by police when they raided two commercial units in Pontypridd on February 25.

The operation targeted organised crime linked to violence, exploitation, and anti-social behaviour, which blights communities and fuels other criminal activity, including county lines drug trafficking, modern slavery, and human trafficking.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Holcombe said: “The myth that cannabis is harmless couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that the production of cannabis leaves a trail of misery and destruction in its wake. Those tasked by criminal networks to look after the cannabis grows are often vulnerable and sometimes victims of human trafficking.”

In many cases, landlords and their agents are the first to notice signs of illegal activity. Reporting concerns to police at an early stage allows forces to shut down cannabis farms before they cause serious damage.

Detective Chief Inspector Holcombe added: “There is also the financial cost of commercial cannabis grows, which often cause damage to properties taken over for that purpose. Buildings can become inherently dangerous, with fire risks due to the unlawful abstraction of electricity, fumes, and water damage—posing a serious and potentially lethal threat to those in neighbouring properties.

“During the operation, we arrested one landlord suspected of being complicit in the criminal enterprise. He has since been released under investigation. Anybody involved in this type of criminality is committing a serious offence and faces being arrested and prosecuted.”

Operation Millie, which took place in February, was part of a wider national operation involving police forces from across England and Wales. The crackdown is expected to cause further disruption to cannabis supply networks across the region, particularly in West Wales.