News
Pembroke Dock: New traffic lights causing congestion
MOTORISTS and politicians in Pembroke Dock have slammed new traffic lights on the A477 London Road, saying they make congestion much worse.
Work started at the junction with Ferry Lane in early February to install new traffic lights, street lighting and pedestrian crossings. It was expected to take 17 weeks.
25 weeks later and the junction is still littered with cones and non-operational street lights.
Last week, The Herald reported that work at the site had stopped for several weeks. The Welsh Government agency responsible, South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA), blamed computer problems and bad weather for the delay.
London Road’s new traffic lights were finally activated on Monday morning (July 30) and almost immediately long queues began to form in all directions.
On Wednesday afternoon (Aug 1), the Pembrokeshire Herald observed traffic queueing back to Bangeston and the Cleddau Bridge toll booths.
At Waterloo roundabout, traffic was at a standstill for several minutes at a time with ferry traffic appearing to compound the problem. One driver wound down his window and shouted to the Herald reporter: “These lights are an almighty cock-up!”
Laura-Jayne from Pembroke Dock said: “The last two nights picking my partner up from work at London Road Industrial Estate has been horrendous. I had to turn left out of that junction and then the back roads through Pembroke back into the Dock.”
Another driver, Heidi from Saundersfoot, said she was stuck in a queue on the A477 stretching back more than a mile to Cosheston.
County Councillor Joshua Beynon and Labour’s parliamentary candidate Marc Tierney have written a joint letter to SWTRA to expressing local concerns: “[We’ve] had multiple complaints from road users who have spent more than 20 minutes just attempting to get through the junction with delays reaching a mile back in some instances. This has turned the area into a gridlocked, congested zone as traffic reaches levels that should not occur in a small town of only 10,000 residents.
“While we appreciate the lights are a new feature to the area, we do not envisage this problem improving over time.”
Cllr Beynon and Mr Tierney invited SWTRA to visit the site and see for themselves the congestion the new traffic lights are causing.
We asked SWTRA for a response.
Education
Landfill odours breach air quality guidelines near Spittal School
AIR quality near Spittal School has breached World Health Organisation (WHO) odour annoyance guidelines due to emissions from the Withyhedge landfill site, sparking health concerns among residents.
Public Health Wales (PHW) revealed that hydrogen sulphide levels exceeded the WHO odour annoyance threshold of 5ppb at the Spittal School monitoring station between October 1 and November 3. The colourless gas, known for its eggy smell, can cause symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, and throat irritation when present at elevated levels.
Community complaints lead to monitoring
Air quality monitoring began earlier this year after Natural Resources Wales (NRW) received numerous complaints about odours linked to the landfill. While other monitoring sites recorded no such exceedances between September 7 and 22, PHW acknowledged the distress caused by the smells.
A PHW spokesperson said: “Bad smells in your community can be upsetting and lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and sleep problems. These effects usually pass once the odour is gone.”
Health risk remains low
PHW emphasised that the long-term health risk to residents remains low. However, it advises residents to close windows and doors when odours occur to reduce exposure, while ensuring proper ventilation for safety. Once the smell dissipates, opening windows can help clear residual odours.
Calls for regulatory action
NRW stated that it is committed to ensuring the site operator, RML, takes steps to minimise emissions that could cause offsite odours. PHW, while monitoring the situation, clarified it has no regulatory authority over landfill operations.
“We understand the stress and anxiety caused by these odours,” said a PHW spokesperson. “We will continue reviewing and updating the health risk assessment as more data becomes available.”
Local residents continue to call for stronger action to address the issue, as the unpleasant odours disrupt daily life and raise ongoing concerns.
News
Wales tourism tax: £1.25 levy proposed from 2027
A NEW tourism tax of £1.25 per person per night could be introduced in Wales starting April 2027, following the publication of draft legislation by the Welsh government. The levy, applicable to hotels, B&Bs, and self-catered accommodation, would be charged per person, including children. A reduced rate of 75p would apply to stays in hostels and campsites.
The Welsh government argues the levy will raise approximately £33m annually, supporting services and infrastructure in tourism hotspots. Funds raised will be ring-fenced for projects such as promoting tourism, improving visitor services, and supporting the Welsh language. However, the plans have sparked criticism from opposition parties and industry groups, who warn the tax may deter tourists and harm Wales’ vital tourism sector.
Industry concerns
The tourism sector, employing 159,000 people—nearly 12% of Wales’ workforce—has expressed concerns about the impact of the levy on visitor numbers. Critics, including the Wales Tourism Alliance, argue there is no guarantee the revenue will enhance the visitor experience, potentially making Wales less attractive compared to neighboring regions without similar taxes.
The Welsh Conservatives oppose the measure, calling it a “barrier to tourism” and warning of increased costs for families and additional bureaucracy for small businesses. Shadow Minister for Finance Peter Fox stated: “This tax is the wrong one for Wales and the wrong one for our tourism industry.”
How it works
The levy will not apply to stays of more than 31 nights or to individuals in temporary accommodation or homeless hostels. The tax will also require providers of short-term accommodations, such as Airbnbs, to register under a licensing scheme set to be introduced through additional legislation before 2026.
Councils adopting the levy must consult stakeholders and provide 12 months’ notice before implementing or increasing the charge. While the levy is optional for local authorities, it is expected to be a divisive issue among councils. Some may view it as a means to generate revenue for improving tourism infrastructure, while others may fear it could drive visitors to neighboring regions without the tax.
Broader context
Visitor levies are not new; countries worldwide employ similar systems to fund local services and improve tourist destinations. Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford defended the plan, saying, “It’s fair visitors contribute towards local facilities, helping to fund infrastructure and services integral to their experience.”
Cardiff Council has indicated interest in exploring fiscal powers like the levy as part of its broader strategy to invest in the tourism sector. Meanwhile, critics remain skeptical, with some calling for clearer commitments on how funds will be spent to ensure the levy provides tangible benefits for tourists and communities alike.
Next steps
For the tax to take effect, the proposed legislation must pass through the Senedd. If approved, councils will have discretion over implementation, ensuring any decision is tailored to local priorities and needs.
Whether this initiative strengthens Wales’ position as a leading destination or creates obstacles for the tourism industry remains a point of contention.
Expert’s viewpoint
Corporate partner at law firm Spencer West LLP: “The introduction of a tourism levy in Wales could have significant implications for the leisure, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Whilst the legislation aims to reduce the burden on local infrastructure and services resulting from a regular influx of tourists by providing additional funding for them, it may also create financial and operational challenges for businesses in these industries.
From a positive perspective, the reinvestment of funds into local infrastructure could enhance visitor experiences, potentially attracting more tourists over the long term. Improved facilities and local amenities could also help bolster community support for tourism, fostering a more sustainable relationship between visitors and local communities.
However, the levy could impose additional costs on tourists, potentially deterring budget-conscious visitors or driving them to alternative destinations without such charges. This risk may disproportionately affect smaller accommodation providers, hostels, and campsites, which rely on price-sensitive customers. Additionally, implementing the scheme and managing the levy collection could increase administrative burdens and compliance costs for businesses.
Concerns raised by industry representatives, such as the potential impact on employment and competitiveness, highlight the need for careful planning and extensive consultation and local authorities will have to balance the need for increased revenue with the industry’s overall economic health.”
News
Storm Bert aborts Pembrokeshire lifeboat in search for missing person
A major sea search got underway on Sunday evening following reports of a missing person in the sea off Rhossili.
Tenby Lifeboat received a call shortly after 11 pm on Sunday, November 24 from the coastguards, requesting the crew’s assistance.
“The volunteer crew was soon on the water and got to Rhossili in extremely rough seas as a result of Storm Bert,” commented a spokesperson for the Tenby crew
“The crew was requested to search around Worm’s Head using lights and night vision equipment.”
But after searching the coastline for around two hours, the crew was forced to stand down.
“It soon became obvious that the conditions were too rough for the lifeboat to get in close enough to be of any assistance, so with the lifeboat unable to safely provide assistance due to extremely rough seas, the crew stood down.”
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