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.

A FORMER oil refinery worker has been sentenced after attempting to headbutt a police officer and urinating in both a police van and a holding cell.

“The violence he showed towards us was unacceptable,” stated one of the officers during the sentencing of Leighton James this week.

District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, heard that at around 6:30pm on October 19, officers were called to James’ home in Middlehill, Saundersfoot, following reports of a domestic assault.

Crown Prosecutor Nia James said: “Upstairs, they found the defendant lying in bed with his hands under the covers. He began to resist arrest, refusing to be handcuffed. Due to his strong physical stature, officers anticipated difficulty in controlling him.”

As officers tried to restrain James, 51, he became increasingly aggressive.

“The officers were beginning to lose control,” Nia James continued. “He made a very deliberate and clear attempt to headbutt one of them and went on to virtually strangle him.”

After being restrained and placed in the police van cage, James said he needed to urinate. When told he would have to wait until reaching the station, he urinated on the van floor.

Once placed in a holding cell, he again urinated on the floor in front of officers.

James pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage to the police van and cell, and one charge of assaulting an emergency worker by beating.

His solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told the court: “He was completely intoxicated and knows his behaviour was appalling.”

James was sentenced to 14 weeks in custody, suspended for 14 months. He must complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 200 hours of unpaid work, and 90 days of alcohol abstinence monitoring.

He was also ordered to pay £390 compensation for the damage caused to the van and cell, £100 compensation to the officer, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 costs.

The Herald understands that Judge Layton emphasised the seriousness of the assault and the unacceptable nature of James’ actions towards police officers.

SHADOW MINISTER for Economy and Energy and Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz, has commended Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferry operators in the Senedd for their exceptional response in managing increased traffic following severe disruptions at Holyhead Port.

The disruption, caused by Storm Darrah, brought winds of up to 96 mph in early December, causing widespread damage across Wales and significantly impacting Holyhead Port.

As one of the UK’s busiest ports, Holyhead typically handles 2 million passengers annually and serves as a critical link to Ireland for commercial shipping and ferry services.

In response to Holyhead’s temporary closure, Pembroke Port and Fishguard Harbour, along with ferry operators, stepped up to ensure the seamless movement of goods and passengers. Key vessels involved in this effort included Irish Ferries’ James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, alongside Stena Line’s Stena Nordica and Stena Adventurer, which sailed from Pembrokeshire’s ports to support transportation needs.

Samuel Kurtz, who previously worked onboard ships on the Fishguard to Rosslare crossing, said following a statement in the Senedd Chamber: “The performance of Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferry operators during this time of increased demand has been nothing short of remarkable. The contributions of vessels such as Irish Ferries’ James Joyce and Isle of Innisfree, and Stena Line’s Stena Nordica and Stena Adventurer, underscore the strategic importance of our region in maintaining Wales’ economic resilience and connectivity.

“While we look forward to Holyhead Port resuming full operations, Pembrokeshire’s ports and ferries have proven their readiness to rise to the occasion, ensuring that Wales remains open for business. This southern corridor from Pembrokeshire to Rosslare has demonstrated its importance.

“This success is a direct result of the dedication, skill, and professionalism of the men and women who operate our ports and ferries. Their hard work deserves our deepest gratitude, as they have played a vital role in minimising disruption and safeguarding the flow of trade and travel during these uncertain times.”