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‘Tourism optimism high as new season approaches’ – Stephen Crabb MP

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AS THE 2022 tourism season gets underway across Pembrokeshire, Preseli MP Stephen Crabb hosted his Tourism Roundtable with Paul Davies MS joined by 27 key hospitality and tourism operators.

The roundtable, which the MP, has organised regularly over the past few years, has provided an important forum for the trade to talk through their big issues and opportunities so they can be raised directly with the UK Government and Welsh Government.

He was also joined by representatives from Visit Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Wales Tourism Alliance, Pembrokeshire College and Department for Work and Pensions.

The discussion covered business optimism, provision of local services and facilities, Pembrokeshire’s new DMO, UK and Welsh Government legislation, the cost of living and inflation, and staffing and recruitment.

Concern about the downgrading of emergency services at Withybush Hospital was also raised with many tourism providers identifying the acute need to maintain A&E as part of the local infrastructure services required to deliver a strong and successful tourism offer to visitors.

Stephen Crabb MP said:

“We have an outstanding tourism and hospitality sector locally and the quality is getting better and better. What is clear from the roundtable is that Pembrokeshire will see another bumper season.”

“Booking levels are looking strong and big numbers of visitors are anticipated once again.”

“But despite a buoyant outlook, there is no doubt that the current economic climate, along with changes to VAT and Welsh Government regulations, pose real challenges for the sector. Time will tell just how serious these impacts will be.”

“Staffing and recruitment remain a key priority for tourism providers. I’m pleased that Kimberly Ferris from the local Job Centre Plus team joined us for the roundtable. She was able to provide some insight into the work being done to help businesses with their recruitment needs. It was encouraging to hear that the Kickstart employment scheme has been a huge success in Pembrokeshire with a number of the operators on the call having benefited from this initiative.”

Paul Davies Member of the Senedd for Preseli Pembrokeshire said:

“It was really good to hear from tourism businesses across Pembrokeshire about some of the challenges facing the sector. Whilst there is some optimism, there are still concerns around recruitment, rising costs and the impact of some of the Welsh Government’s recent announcements in relation to self-catering businesses, housing and even reforming the school year. I’ll certainly be taking back the concerns highlighted during the meeting and raising them with Welsh Government Ministers at the Senedd.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

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THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

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Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

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A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

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Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

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Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.

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