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Vital bus services cut

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services cutCHANGES are to be made to Pembrokeshire’s local bus services.

The changes follow the need to cut the bus service budget by £167,000. Most of the changes involve a reduction in the frequency of services, which is a preferred option of members of public following consultation.

The changes will take place from April 28 this year. “There are over 50 local bus services operating in Pembrokeshire of which the majority are subsidised by the Council,” said Councillor Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Planning.

“Last year a 25% reduction in the amount of Welsh Government funding provided to the Council meant that all subsidised Saturday and evening bus services were removed.

“Unfortunately further savings still need to be made this year,” he said.

“We have used the opportunity provided by the re-tendering of contracts this month to reconfigure services with operators who have responded positively. And, to ensure the impact of changes is kept to a minimum, we also asked members of the public for their views,” he said.

“We know how much people rely on their local bus service so we have made every effort to limit the negative effect of these changes.”

A questionnaire compiled by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Transport Unit last Autumn showed that while concerned at further cuts to bus services, the majority of people preferred cuts should involve reducing the frequency of services rather than the removal of entire routes.

The changes to bus services are as follows:

• 411 (Haverfordwest – St Davids)Contract awarded for 2 hourly service as opposed to current hourly service. The operator has indicated that they propose to enhance some of this service commercially and potentially operate hourly in the summer.

• 356 (Monkton – Milford Haven) Alternative tender specification accepted. This will remain an hourly service but with a simplified route that does not serve The Bush Estate. This estate is however going to be served by an hourly commercial service at no cost to the Council.

• 381 (Haverfordwest – Narberth- Tenby) Alternative tender specification accepted. The service will remain hourly but with a simplified route but with the late return journey operating in the summer only.

• 403 (Celtic Coaster – St Davids Peninsula) Number of vehicles reduced from 3 to 2 during School Summer Holidays.

• 387/88 (Coastal Cruiser – Angle Peninsula) Reduction in cost was achieved by redesigning the timetable whilst retaining the service to all villages served with slightly reduced frequency.

• 300 (Milford Town Service) Revenue funding for Saturdays removed. This service is operated commercially in the week, numbers travelling on Saturdays were low. The Council currently funds the Town Rider in Milford Haven on Saturday.

• 357a (Monkton – Pembroke Dock) Revenue funding for evening services removed. This was the only evening service remaining after previous cost saving exercises.

• 362 (Pembrokeshire Dock – Pennar – Pembroke Dock) Revenue funding for route enhancement removed due to low use.

 

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Police search for distressed man in Pennar ends safely

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Concerns for welfare raised in early-hours incident near Bentlass Terrace

POLICE were called to Pennar in the early hours of Sunday (Mar 29) after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man near Bentlass Terrace.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a call at around 2:45am reporting concerns for the individual’s safety.

A search was carried out in the area and the man was later located before being taken to hospital.

The incident is understood to have happened near the garages at Bentlass Terrace, with witnesses reporting a police presence in the area between around 3:00am and 5:00am.

The force has not released further details about the circumstances, but confirmed the matter was treated as a welfare concern rather than a criminal incident.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call reporting concerns for the welfare of an individual at around 2.45am on Sunday, March 29.

“A search was conducted for the man, who was located and taken to hospital.”

The Herald understands officers acted quickly after the report was made, and the man was found alive and given medical assistance.

 

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Crime

Driver spared jail after crash killed young couple

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A PEMBROKE DOCK driver who caused the deaths of a young couple in a road crash has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to 16 months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.

MacCallum had previously admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving when he appeared before the same court on 9 February.

The case related to a fatal two-vehicle collision on the A477 near Llanddowror at about 3:50pm on 13 June 2024.

The court heard that MacCallum was driving a Jaguar XKR when he lost control in wet conditions, crossed the carriageway and collided with a Ford Fiesta being driven by Adam Muskett, aged 27. His partner, Katie Worrell, aged 25, was a passenger in the car.

Mr Muskett died at the scene. Ms Worrell was taken to hospital with catastrophic injuries but died later the same day.

In a joint family statement, relatives of the couple said: “We would like to thank the emergency services who attended that fateful day and the people who stopped to help Katie and Adam. We are forever grateful to them.

“We recognise the sentence of the court, but there is no sentence that will ever bring our children and siblings back. We appreciate the work of Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to secure a conviction.

“Adam and Katie’s deaths were unnecessary. Had the defendant not driven his car in the manner that he did, they would still be with us.

“We now wish for privacy after what has been a long and difficult journey to the conclusion of this prosecution.

“We urge everyone to consider the manner and speed in which they drive their vehicles.”

PC Lucy Brookes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Following the tragic deaths of Adam and Katie, a full investigation into the collision was launched, and after consideration of the evidence it was deemed that MacCallum’s manner of driving was inappropriate for the very poor weather conditions.

“He was charged through a postal requisition in November 2025 and has now been sentenced.

“This has been a lengthy investigation into an incident which claimed the lives of two young people. While nothing can undo the loss of Adam and Katie, it is hoped that today’s sentence goes some way to providing justice for their loved ones, who have shown incredible strength throughout this process. Our thoughts very much remain with them.”

 

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Business

Welsh Fed members engage with Labour candidate on key retail issues ahead of election

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FIONA and Vince Malone, owners of Tenby Stores, in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and members of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), met with Marc Tierney, Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro and Pembrokeshire County Councillor in the upcoming Senedd elections on May 7.

The meeting on Saturday, February 28, focused on the critical challenges facing independent retailers and followed the publication of the Fed’s manifesto for the Welsh election.

Key issues addressed during the meeting included the impact of rising business rates bills on small shops, as well as the significant social and economic value that post offices and convenience stores offer to their neighbourhoods. The Malones highlighted the rising costs resulting from above-inflation increases in the national minimum wage and higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) that have placed further financial strain on independent businesses such as theirs, and others across Wales and the rest of the UK.

The importance of post offices in providing essential banking facilities was emphasised, underscoring their role in sustaining local economies through their range of services including postal and banking as well as government services such as vehicle tax renewal and passport applications.

Additionally, the conversation touched on the pressing issue of retail crime. The Malones showed how they had taken steps to reduce this problem, including the implementation of extensive CCTV coverage and the utilisation of AI technology, but that the threat remained.

With the introduction of the deposit return scheme (DRS) in Wales on the horizon, the Malones expressed their support for initiatives aimed at improving recycling rates. However, they raised concerns regarding the inclusion of glass in the scheme in Wales, highlighting that it would be difficult for small shops to implement because of the dangers associated with broken glass and weight involved in moving it.

Vince Malone said: “I want to thank Marc again for his visit and discussing these important issues and for his clear interest. Fiona and I remain committed to advocating for the interests of small shops – as members of the Federation of Independent Retailers – working with all parties at the Senedd ahead of May’s election and beyond.”

Marc Tierney said: “Vince and Fiona are active retailers, who go the extra mile for their community and are well known for their advocacy for the independent retail sector, not just in Wales but across the UK. My visit highlighted the importance of their postal service, banking hub and convenience shop. Providing these services under one roof is exactly the type of model that can sustain services in our rural, coastal communities. I look forward to working with them in the run-up to the election and beyond.”

 

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