Residents in Pembrokeshire are being urged to prepare for potential travel disruption as a yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place from 3am to 12pm. The Met Office has advised that areas above 100 metres could see a few centimetres of fresh snow, accompanied by icy patches that may create hazardous conditions.

What to Expect

The yellow warning, which indicates a medium likelihood of adverse weather with a low overall impact, highlights several potential issues:

• Travel disruption: Longer journey times are likely on roads, as well as delays to bus and train services.
• Icy conditions: Untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths could develop icy patches, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
• Injuries: There’s a chance of injuries resulting from slips on icy surfaces.

Preparing for Snowy Conditions

To stay safe during the snowy spell, the following steps are recommended:

• Plan ahead: Allow extra time for your journey and check for any road closures or public transport delays. Amend your travel plans if necessary.
• Be prepared: If driving, ensure your car is stocked with essentials such as warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de-icer, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger.
• Stay updated: Weather warnings can change quickly, so regularly check the forecast in your area for updates.

Driving in Icy Conditions

Navigating icy roads requires caution and preparation. Here are some tips for driving safely:

• Look well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed low.
• Accelerate, brake, steer, and change gear as smoothly as possible to minimise the risk of skidding.
• Use a higher gear to help grip on packed ice and maintain traction.

Driving Safely in Snow

Snowy conditions call for additional precautions:

• • Use dipped headlights to improve visibility.
• • Accelerate gently and maintain a safe, steady speed.
• • When descending hills, use a low gear to maintain control.

As the weather warning remains in effect, residents are advised to exercise caution, especially in elevated areas, and to follow safety guidelines to minimise risks during the wintry spell.

A 58-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest man narrowly avoided jail after punching a police officer twice in the face.

Police were called to a property on Dew Street just after 10:00pm on July 6, following reports of a male motorist involved in a road traffic collision.

At the scene, officers encountered Barrie Knight.

“He’d been to the Mariners to pick up a family member and clearly there’d been an incident,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“For some reason, the police came to his address, and [Barrie Knight] threw his fist towards one of the officers, who felt a sharp pain to his nose, where contact was made.”

Ms James explained that the officer was struck at least twice, although no visible injuries were caused.

“It was more luck than judgement that he wasn’t hurt, and this should not be tolerated,” she added.

When asked to provide a breath sample, Knight refused.

“He was taken to the police station, where officers again tried to obtain breath samples from him, but there was a deliberate refusal,” Ms James continued.

Knight pleaded guilty to common assault of an emergency worker and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, was disqualified from driving for 18 months, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.

SCHOOL transport services in Carmarthenshire faced significant disruption on Wednesday (Jan 3) after icy conditions and a lack of gritting on key routes caused delays and diversions across several rural areas.

Jones Login Coach Travel reported widespread issues on their school routes, with roads around Login, Efailwen, Llanglydwen, Hebron, Glandwr, Llanboidy, and Llanfallteg particularly affected. Managing Director Endaf Jones revealed that many of these roads have been downgraded to secondary gritting routes, meaning they are no longer prioritised for overnight gritting.

Mr Jones said: “We do our best to cover the routes and, where possible, advise on our social media of what is happening. However, we cannot contact individual parents or guardians about the status of school routes.”

The downgrade from primary to secondary gritting routes has raised serious concerns among parents, drivers, and local businesses. Mr Jones urged residents to write to Carmarthenshire County Council and the School Transport Department to highlight their concerns and push for the reinstatement of these roads as primary gritting routes.

“Without proper management of water drainage spilling onto roads, which then freezes, and without consistent gritting services, school transport routes will face regular disruption if freezing temperatures persist,” Mr Jones added.

Local parents expressed their frustrations on social media. One parent, Helen Bantock, said: “It’s hard for you to tell us when we need the info, and this causes a lot of parents stress. I’ve written to the school to ensure no late mark is given as our son takes pride in being on time.”

Another commenter, Samantha Fish, asked for clarification on where to direct concerns. Jones Login advised contacting Carmarthenshire County Council Roads Department and copying in the School Transport Department.

Residents and businesses are now being urged to raise their concerns directly with the council to ensure rural school routes are given priority gritting status, reducing delays and ensuring the safety of schoolchildren and drivers during adverse weather conditions.

The council has been contacted for a comment.