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Ferries cancelled as freight down 70% at Fishguard following Covid travel restrictions and Brexit

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THE LARGEST Irish Sea ferry operator has cancelled 12 sailings over the coming five days due to travel restrictions, a post-Brexit decline in freight volumes and problems in supply chains.

Stena Line has reduced its Dublin-Holyhead and Rosslare–Fishguard schedules, saying that problems caused by new customs and regulatory checks have significantly reduced freight traffic.

Trade volumes have fallen significantly since the UK’s departure from the EU came into effect on January 1st as importers struggle with the customs, regulatory and agricultural border controls applied to all goods arriving into Irish ports from Britain in the past week.

Eight sailings between Rosslare and Fishguard and four sailings between Dublin and Holyhead have been cancelled between Friday night and Tuesday morning.

These mostly off-peak sailings, including late-night departures, are not regarded as viable currently given the low freight volumes and the restrictions on passengers who must produce a negative Covid-19 test on their arrival into Irish ports from Saturday.

Stena said that freight volumes are slowly starting to creep back up and that it was keeping a close eye on the figures..

It is currently reviewing schedules and may reduce some crossings on a temporary basis.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Our freight volumes are currently down approximately 70% on the same time last year, which is also the position at Holyhead Port.”

“To a certain degree this has been expected given the volume of stock piling which occurred prior to Christmas.

“Freight volumes have slowly started to return this week and we are monitoring developments closely.

“In addition to the fall off in freight volumes, with the Irish Government imposing virtually a complete travel ban resulting in almost no passengers travelling, we are currently reviewing our sailings and schedules and may reduce some sailings on a temporary basis during this unprecedented time.”

Mid and West Wales MS, Eluned Morgan also voiced concerns. She met with local management of Stena Line and Irish Ferries before Christmas.

“January is quieter time for ferry services but as we know, commercial freight sustains these important links all year round,” said Eluned.

“This is the first time that an operator like Stena has admitted the very real impacts of Brexit has forced them to cut services.

“Huge quantities of trade is now bypassing Fishguard and Pembroke because it is easier to meet deadlines by avoiding Britain altogether. The Tories hailed Brexit as a way of cutting red tape, instead it has created barriers, more paperwork and economic uncertainty.

“Regardless of the views of some Brexiteers, our ports are important gateways to Europe. For Wales, Pembrokeshire must remain a gateway to Europe for trade, tourism and all of the jobs linked to these ports.”

Jackie Jones, Labour MS candidate for Preseli Pembrokeshire, who was also one of the last members of the European Parliament added:

“This is a very disappointing announcement and one that does not need to be repeated. Daily ferry services have operated between Fishguard and Rosslare for the last 115 years, through pandemics, wars and great economic uncertainty.

“We must not allow Brexit to take this important transport link which has put Fishguard on the map to disappear.”

There has been no word yet from Irish Ferries, who operate from Pembroke Dock on the impact of Brexit, so far the firm has decided to to comment.

Earlier this week local councillors expressed their concern over the future of Fishguard Harbour, which employs 150 people, with Cllr Pat Davies saying that there was “real concern in the community.”

Crime

Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub

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Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an incident reported at Sands Nightclub in Saundersfoot in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).

An 18-year-old man was arrested after officers were called to the venue, which is a popular late-night spot in the seaside village. The allegation relates to events said to have taken place during the early hours of the morning.

Joshua Probert, aged 18, has since been charged with one count of rape. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 18).

The complainant is entitled to lifelong anonymity under law, and no further details about the allegation can be reported at this stage.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. Officers are understood to have carried out initial investigative work shortly after the report was made, including speaking to witnesses.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

  • Anyone affected by sexual assault or rape can contact the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line, run by Rape Crisis England & Wales, on 0808 500 2222. Calls are free and confidential.
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Local Government

Mayor visits Milford Haven Library Christmas event

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THE MAYOR of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott, paid a visit to Milford Haven Library on Tuesday morning to attend its festive Mince Pie and a Cuppa event.

The event brought together library staff and local residents, with the Mayor thanking staff for their work supporting the community throughout the year. During the visit, Cllr Elliott also spent time speaking with residents who had come along to the event or were visiting the library to borrow books.

Milford Haven Library is part of the Pembrokeshire Libraries service, which provides access to books, information, and community activities across the county.

The Mayor wished residents a Merry Christmas at the close of his visit.

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Crime

Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers

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A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been jailed for three years and six months.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced on Wednesday (Dec 16) at Swansea Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that Campbell had been in a relationship with his partner, Miss Cox, for six years. On the night of the offence, he returned home highly intoxicated and became argumentative.

Alexander Campbell was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court, with the judge describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

Prosecutor Rieve Nesbitt-Marr told the court that Miss Cox advised Campbell to go upstairs and sleep off the alcohol. Instead, he began poking her and told her not to tell him what to do.

Campbell then launched what Miss Cox described as “a flurry of punches that rained down on her.”

Neighbours contacted police after hearing the disturbance. When officers arrived, they found a smashed bowl on the floor and Miss Cox lying on the sofa under a blanket, covering her face.

Body-worn camera footage played in court showed Campbell threatening officers, telling them: “I will turn this place into a f***ing murder scene.”

As officers attempted to separate the parties, PC Thomas placed her arm out to create distance. Campbell grabbed her wrist with force, an assault captured on body-worn video.

He then attacked PC Jones, climbing on top of him and punching him repeatedly, again recorded on police body-worn footage.

PC Thomas later attended Withybush Hospital, where she received four stitches under local anaesthetic. Miss Cox suffered severe facial bruising, with one eye swollen almost shut.

The court was told that Miss Cox’s ten-year-old daughter was upstairs at the property during the incident.

Campbell has 27 previous offences. In mitigation, the court heard that he accepted alcohol turned him into a different person, telling the court: “I’m an ugly person when I drink. I’m a different person when I’m sober.”

Sentencing Campbell, the judge said he knew better than anyone how alcohol affected him.

“You came home in a bad mood and almost predictively, you assaulted her,” the judge said.
“The noise and aggression was such that the neighbour called the police.”
“You gave her a bruise on her face that can only be described as a large shiner.”
“In short, you have injured three people. Your conduct was utterly pathetic, like an overgrown child.”

The judge also referred to Campbell’s violent history, describing him as a “cowardly bully.”

While acknowledging that Campbell had previously complied well with a suspended sentence after removing his own alcohol tag, the judge said custody was unavoidable.

Campbell was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.

Warning him about his future, the judge added: “If you carry on with this behaviour you will spend a lifetime in prison. The only person who can change this is you.”

The court also granted a restraining order for five years.

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