News
Merlins Bridge: Diversions to be in place this weekend during bridge replacement
HAVERFORDWEST residents are reminded of the essential replacement of Milford Road railway bridge this weekend.
Between Friday (Feb 15) and Monday (Feb 18), Network Rail engineers will demolish the existing railway bridge deck – which carries the South Wales Main Line – and install a new, more resilient structure as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to improve the reliability of the railway.
For Network Rail teams to safely deliver the work, the A4076 at Milford Road railway bridge on Dredgeman Hill will be closed to all traffic, with the exception of residents within the road closure and emergency services, from 7pm on Friday 15 until 6am on Monday 18. A signposted road diversion route will be in place and a shuttle bus service will be in operation for pedestrians and cyclists needing to to get from one side of the bridge to the other.
Buses will replace trains between Whitland and Milford Haven on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17, and timetables will be amended so rail passengers are urged to check before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk.
Rhys Howells, scheme project manager for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said: “We thank the local community, road users and rail passengers for bearing with us whilst we complete the essential renewal of Milford Road railway bridge.
“We understand that closing the road and railway for any length of time is inconvenient and we have been working closely with our partners to minimise disruption and to develop the diversionary route.”
The work forms part of the £4.25m upgrade project to improve the reliability of the railway in West Wales, which saw the successful replacement of Pembroke Road railway bridge in January.
For teams to complete the finishing works safely and effectively, there will be single lane traffic management system in place overnight intermittently at both bridges (weekend nights only at Pembroke Road) until the end of March 2019.
For more information visit www.networkrail.co.uk/merlins-bridge.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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