SENEDD MEMBER Paul Davies and local councillors David Bryan and Di Clements are calling on the Welsh Government to do more to tackle congestion on the Salutation Square roundabout in Haverfordwest. Traffic congestion at the roundabout has been a significant problem for the local community for several years, causing frustration, near accidents and missed and delayed appointments.

Mr Davies has raised the issue in the Senedd Chamber with the First Minister, given that the A4076 is a trunk road and under the responsibility of the Welsh Government. Councillors Bryan and Clements have also been in contact with senior officers at Pembrokeshire County Council to raise the issue and written to Eluned Morgan MS prior to her election as First Minister.

Mr Davies said, “Traffic congestion at Salutation Square roundabout has been a huge problem for several years and it’s time that the Welsh Government stop trying to pass the buck and get a grip of the issue. Local residents are fed up with their concerns being ignored and I had hoped that the First Minister would have understood their concerns, given that her own office is situated a few yards from the roundabout.”

Cllr Bryan said, “Before the new Haverfordwest High School was built, school traffic for Taskers was coming from the west side of town to that school and had no need to pass through the town centre, specifically this traffic island.”

“With the advent of the new school, traffic from all directions has to pass through this traffic island. The result is total congestion from 8.30am to 9am and 3 15pm to 4pm. The general traffic coming home from work starts around 4pm and thus this area is very difficult to get through from 3.15pm till 5.45pm.”

Cllr Clements said, “Many of my constituents have contacted me about the difficulty they are having in exiting from the New Road onto the roundabout due to the continual traffic flow from the A40 into Haverfordwest. Speed is an issue as is sighting. There have been many near misses and accidents over the years and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt again. I am also mindful that with all the regeneration money that is being spent in Haverfordwest currently it’s important that traffic does not snarl up and put people off coming to Haverfordwest in the future.”

COMPLETING a series of courses largely funded by Farming Connect has given a Welsh dairy farmer the knowledge and confidence to launch a business that provides office administrative support to other farm enterprises.

Anna Brown grew up on a dairy farm just four miles from Hill Farm, near Mold, where she now lives with her husband, Tim, and their five-year-old daughter, Sophie, and where they also produce milk.

Anna has worked in the agriculture industry since graduating from Harper Adams where she studied agri-food marketing and business studies.

Her introduction to bookkeeping was several years ago with a course at Coleg Cambria.

In 2022 she decided to build on that foundation, enrolling in a Farming Connect course covering aspects such as Making Tax Digital and keeping VAT records.

This was 80% funded by Farming Connect, as were two other modules she subsequently completed, on understanding new accounts, financial management, cashflow and business planning.

One course was delivered virtually while the other two were in-person at venues in Ruthin and Oswestry.

Anna gained hugely from that learning experience. “I do all my parents’ farm office bookwork and accounts but there is always some doubt with something like that about whether you are doing it the right way,’’ she says.

The Farming Connect courses reassured her that she was, and added to her knowledge base.

Fellow course participants came from many different farming sectors and systems.

“In farming we can become set in our ways but it was nice to see that we were all on the same path,’’ Anna added.

“The courses were delivered by Julie at Simply the Best Training; she was so good at making everyone feel at ease and providing proper scenarios that were applicable to our own type of farming business.’’

Inspired by the knowledge she gained, Anna set up her own business, Brownbrook Farm Office Services, in January 2024, offering support in everything from farm assurance to setting up farm spreadsheets and building up a client base through word of mouth, social media and advertising her services at livestock marts and other venues.

Others just want support in restoring order to their office. “They say “my office is a mess; can you organise it for me’’!’’ says Anna.

She has not taken her responsibilities lightly, even embarking on an emergency first aid course in March 2024, again 80% funded by Farming Connect.

“If I am going onto a farm and there is an emergency situation, I need to know that I have the experience to deal with it, as well making the client aware that I am serious about what I do.’’

Anna’s next goal is to complete a Farming Connect Safe Use of Vets and Meds course.

She is grateful to Farming Connect for the calibre of the courses, and for funding most of their cost.

“We are lucky in farming that we have these subsidised courses, most industries don’t have those opportunities.’’

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S ongoing campaign against littering brought a wave of cases to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, earning enforcement officers the local nickname “The Fag Butt Police.”

Multiple individuals were fined after being found guilty of depositing cigarette butts or other litter in public spaces. Magistrates highlighted the significant costs of keeping the county clean and the importance of enforcing the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Some of the defendants have contacted The Herald and questioned the fairness of the costs imposed. With costs often set at £266.66 on top of fines and victim surcharges, the total penalties approached or exceeded £500 in many cases. Observers noted that such high costs might be disproportionate for minor offences like littering, especially in bulk prosecutions designed to be more efficient.

One of those fined, said: “The costs seem high for what should be a streamlined process. Transparency on how these costs are calculated would help reassure the public about fairness.”

Cases heard in court

1. Paul Andrew, 50, of Bramble Lodge, Stepaside, Narberth, was fined £220, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £88, and costs of £266.66 for dropping a rolled-up cigarette in Jones Terrace, Tenby. Total: £574.66.
2. Wayne Balch, 50, of Adelaide Road, Elvington, Dover, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for littering with a cigarette butt at Withybush Retail Park, Haverfordwest. Total: £574.66.
3. Matthew Collins, 46, of Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, was fined £220, with a victim surcharge of £88 and costs of £266.66 for leaving a cigarette butt outside McDonald’s, Merlin’s Bridge. Total: £574.66.
4. Omid Buergin, 59, of Coolhurst Road, London, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for dropping a rolled-up cigarette in Upper Frog Street, Tenby. Total: £574.66.
5. Simon Green, 45, of Mans Dewi, Capel Dewi, Carmarthen, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for littering in Springfield Retail Park, Haverfordwest. Total: £574.66.
6. Aisha Jephcott, 24, of West Haven Estate, Cosheston, Pembroke Dock, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for dropping a cigarette butt on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock. Total: £574.66.
7. Edward Washbrook, 52, of Maes Y Mynydd, Newport, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for discarding a cigarette butt outside Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. Total: £574.66.
8. Jemma Palmer, 41, of Tir Einon, Llanelli, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for dropping a rolled-up cigarette on High Street, Tenby. Total: £574.66.
9. Louisa Braidman, 34, of Fourth Avenue, Walsall, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for leaving a cigarette butt outside Denis Café, Tenby. Total: £574.66.
10. Haray Norcross, 39, of Penybont Road, Pencoed, Bridgend, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for littering with a cigarette butt on Moorland Road, Narberth. Total: £574.66.
11. Maria Mihailiva, 36, of St Davids Place, Goodwick, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for dropping a cigarette butt outside Morrisons, Haverfordwest. Total: £574.66.
12. Michael Raymond, 55, of St James Road, Wick, was fined £40, with £16 victim surcharge and £100 costs for littering in Heywood Lane, Tenby. Total: £156.00.
13. Joshua Spicer, 38, of Castle Terrace, Narberth, was fined £220, with £88 victim surcharge and £266.66 costs for discarding a cigarette butt near Narberth Primary School. Total: £574.66.
14. Andrew Griffiths, 41, of St Margarets Court, Aberdare, was fined £40, with £16 victim surcharge and £130 costs for littering in St George Street, Tenby. Total: £186.00.
15. Stacey Davies, 35, of Felin Ban Estate, Cardigan, was fined £40, with £16 victim surcharge and £100 costs for leaving a cigarette butt outside Haverfordwest Hospital. Total: £156.00.
16. Sam Daines, 32, of Larch Road, Milford Haven, was fined £40, with £16 victim surcharge and £100 costs for littering on Priory Street, Milford Haven. Total: £156.00.