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Forest patrols ramped up to prevent illegal off-roading in south west Wales

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NATURAL Resources Wales (NRW) has ramped up patrols in south west Wales to stop illegal off-roaders from damaging forests and putting people’s lives in danger.

There has been an increase in the number of reports of motorcycles and 4x4s entering Afan Valley and Brechfa forests without permission in recent weeks, despite the coronavirus lockdown.

This, coupled with the increasing issue of forest fires across Wales, has led to increased patrols from NRW officers and the police to carry out inspections for signs of damage or arson and to prevent off-roaders from entering the forests.

Huwel Manley, South West Land and Assets Manager for NRW, said:

“Illegal off-roading poses a serious danger to people visiting our forests for their daily exercise during the coronavirus lockdown.

“It can also have far reaching consequences for the environment, damaging tree roots and disturbing sensitive habitats for our wildlife.

“It can have far reaching consequences for the environment, damaging tree roots and disturbing sensitive habitats for our wildlife.

“We have also experienced a number of wildfires in recent days given the prolonged period of dry weather, and the devastating effects a simple spark on dry land can have.

“I would urge anyone living nearby who sees people driving illegally on our sites, or starting deliberate fires to report it to police by calling 101.”
As well as a blight on the environment, off-road drivers can cause annoyance to surrounding communities and put their safety at risk.
Police are urging anyone who sees off-roaders driving recklessly to report it immediately.

Chief Inspector Helen Coulthard, Operational Support Unit, for South Wales Police, said:

“Anti-social use of off-road bikes is not only against road traffic regulations but is also extremely dangerous.

“We are concerned that somebody could be hurt by these bikes, which are being ridden at high speed. The noise is also damaging quality of life for local residents.

“We’d also urge parents to be aware of their responsibilities in relation to their children using off-road bikes.

“The last thing anyone wants is for us to be called to the scene of a collision where someone has been hurt or worse. Protecting everyone’s safety is our over-riding priority and why we are determined to clamp down on this practice.”

Superintendent Robyn Mason, for Dyfed-Powys Police, said:

“Off-roading driving in an anti-social manner causes distress to our communities, distress to wildlife, damage to footpaths, bridleways and tracks, and green lanes in forestry areas and common land.

“It is wholly unacceptable given the current guidelines around essential travel in Wales – where emergency services, in particular the NHS, are already heavily committed – and we are working with our colleagues in Natural Resources Wales, local authorities and other agencies to police this issue.”
To report illegal off-roading call police on 101.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property

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A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.

Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.

The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.

The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.

The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.

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News

Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’

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THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”

The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.

Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”

NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.

“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.

“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”

The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”

This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.

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Community

Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed

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RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.

The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.

Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.

The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.

With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.

“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”

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