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£35m A40 improvement to go ahead between Llanddewi Velfrey and Penblewin

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IMPROVEMENTS to the A40 between Llanddewi Velfrey and Penblewin will go ahead following uncertainty.

Doubts were cast on the long-discussed plans after construction giant, and chosen contractor for the job, Carillion, collapsed earlier this year.

Today (Jun 19), Ken Skates, Cabinet Member for Economy and Transport, wrote to AMs and confirmed that the 35m project will go ahead.

Arup will now be in charge of the project, which will have a 2+1 layout, and £22m of the £35m budget will be funded by the European Union.

The 2+1 layout is similar to improvements made on the A40 at Robeston Wathen, and the A477 between Llanddowror and St Clears.

The project is described on the Welsh Government website: “The A40 between St Clears and Haverfordwest is mostly single carriageway with few places for overtaking. The road has poor visibility and a large number of accesses opening straight onto the road. This means that journey times are poor, and drivers make risky overtaking manoeuvers. During summer traffic volumes can increase by over 30% making these problems worse.

“The A40 runs through Llanddewi Velfrey where there is a 40mph speed limit. The road also splits the community.”

The scheme consists of:

  • a 2.5km bypass from Bethel Chapel to Ffynnon Wood
  • 2.5km improvements west of Ffynnon Wood
  • 1.4km extra overtaking eastbound
  • 1km extra overtaking westbound

In his letter to AMs, Ken Skates said: “The outline design and detailed environmental impact assessment for the scheme is nearly complete and will very much form the basis of the project taken forward.

“Draft Orders are due to be published towards the end of this year with construction commencing around summer 2019, subject to the statutory process.

“We are currently looking at when these can be delivered alongside other priorities in the National Transport Finance Plan and will develop a programme in due course, although site work is expected to start between 2020 and 2023. EU funding has also been earmarked for these improvements.”

Eluned Morgan AM said: “Since the collapse of Carillion, infrastructure schemes across Wales have been thrown into chaos. I welcome this £50 million investment by the Welsh Government supported by the EU to improve safety and journey times on this important national route.

“The use of a 2+1 scheme as we’ve seen on the A477 will allow for further upgrading in future. With work set to begin next year, I very much hope the residents of Llanddewi Velfrey and the thousands of commuters who use the A40 every day will also welcome this positive development.”

Labour’s councillor in Narberth, Cllr Vic Dennis, said: “The A40 is a vital route for the economic prosperity of our county but I have particularly concerned about safety at the Redstone Cross junction on behalf of the residents of Narberth.

“I have held discussions at County Hall and elsewhere to ensure action is taken on improving safety to prevent any further fatalities at this busy cross roads. I am pleased that the Welsh Government is looking seriously at these concerns and I will continue to lobby for improvements to take place as quickly as possible using the EU funds that have already been earmarked.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

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A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

  • Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
  • Common assault
  • Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

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Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • A second count of assault
  • Criminal damage
  • An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
  • A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

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Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

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Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • Intentional non-fatal strangulation
  • Common assault on a woman
  • Criminal damage in a domestic context
  • Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
  • Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.

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