News
Working towards a fly-tipping free Wales
THE MINISTER for Natural Resources, Alun Davies, has today set out his plans to reduce fly-tipping across Wales.
During 2012/13, there were over 34,000 reported incidents of flytipping, which cost the Welsh taxpayer £1.9 million to clear-up. Although incidents of fly-tipping have decreased in Wales in recent years, it remains a significant and expensive problem. The Welsh Government is taking action to reduce this costly problem and the Minister is asking people to have their say on the new draft strategy, A Fly-tipping Free Wales. Alun Davies said: “Fly-tipping is a crime that spoils our neighbourhoods and has a big impact on our local communities. It also poses a threat to people and wildlife as it spreads disease, pollutes the environment, contaminates soil and can make areas more liable to flooding. This is completely unacceptable.” The new draft strategy sets out how the Welsh Government will work in partnership with organisations including Natural Resources Wales, the police, fire service, housing associations and local authorities to reduce incidences of fly-tipping. It also proposes that the reduction in fly-tipping should be achieved through a combination of measures including business engagement, education, community action, publicity campaigns and enforcement including fines of up to £50,000 and prison sentences. The Minister added: “Currently in Wales an average of four incidents of fly-tipping take place every hour of every day. The cost of clearing up this waste is staggering and this is money that could be better spent elsewhere to help improve the lives of people in Wales. “We will do all we can to discourage and prevent fly-tipping across Wales and ensure that when people do fly-tip, they are caught and punished appropriately.” The draft strategy sets out the actions needed to address the issue of fly-tipping against challenging timescales and progress will be reported annually. Emyr Roberts, from Natural Resources Wales said: “Fly-tipping affects us all – it spoils our countryside, damages our wildlife and can make areas less attractive for investment. “It may be the actions of a few reckless individuals, but we all have a role to play in reducing this blight on our neighbourhoods. “Everyone can do their bit by making sure they only use registered waste carriers and reporting incidents of flytipping to their local authority.”
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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