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News

Crabb urges UK Ministers to ‘recognise the strength of the Celtic Freeport bid’

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DURING Wales Office Questions last week (Jan 18), Preseli Pembrokeshire MP, Stephen Crabb, urged Wales Office Ministers to look at the strength of the Celtic Freeport bid – submitted to the UK Government by a public and private consortium across south west Wales.

The Celtic Freeport proposal brings together the skills, experience, and vision of Association British Ports (ABP), Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven to secure investment in new industries.

Highlighting past failures of industrial policy which has left a trail of failed enterprises and parks in its wake, Crabb used the opportunity to urge Ministers to ‘recognise the strength of the Celtic Freeport bid’ and to back projects that work with the ‘grain of the private sector’ for maximum impact and success.

The Celtic Freeport bid, if successful, will accelerate new green industries such as Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea and hydrogen production – triggering investment in the region of £5.5 billion and creating over 16,000 high-quality green jobs.

Momentum for the bid continues to build with over 100 supporters from cross-party, public sector and industry support, from Tata Steel and RWE to Manufacturing Wales and South Wales Industrial Cluster having already come forward to back the bid.

In addition to raising the freeport bid in the House, the Conservative Preseli Pembrokeshire MP and Labour Aberavon MP, Stephen Kinnock, co-hosted a drop-in briefing session for MPs and Peers (Wednesday 18th January) to hear direct about the Celtic Freeport bid from the consortium representatives on the day. The successful event drew attention to the economic story that the Freeport could help deliver for Wales and picked up more cross-party backers from independents, Plaid Cymru, Conservative and Labour members at the meeting.

Speaking to the BBC, who also attended the event, Stephen Crabb MP said, “I’ve enjoyed introducing fellow MPs and peers to the Freeport bid consortium representatives to talk through the scale of the opportunity, how the benefits can be secured for our area and why the case for Floating Offshore Wind is so compelling.

“This opportunity crosses all political divisions and that is what makes the Celtic Freeport bid so powerful. We want to secure as many benefits as possible for south west Wales by unlocking investment, jobs and skills to create a lasting economic legacy which will benefit future generations. And the MPs backing the bid so far recognise that this bid is the launch-pad to achieving this new era of manufacturing and green jobs.”

Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, who attended the event organised by Stephen Crabb in Parliament, said: “With cross-party support from across Wales, the briefing session for MPs and peers builds on the fantastic backing we’ve received from the Senedd, local councils and social partners. Our bid will accelerate the nation’s path to a greener future firmly rooted in two expanded deep-water energy ports at Port Talbot and Milford Haven. The new supply chains we are developing will bring the economic benefits of long-term, well paid, highly skilled jobs to the four corners of Wales and into the UK. Whether it’s creating a new green industry in floating offshore wind or forging a hydrogen economy, Celtic Freeport will be great for Wales.”

ABP’s Chief Executive, Henrik Pedersen, commented, “I am delighted to see the strong cross-party support for the transformational Celtic Freeport bid. The Celtic Freeport will unlock new economic growth, fast-track future green skills for new green industries and advance manufacturing across the whole of Wales. It will also position the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot at the heart of emerging green technologies such as floating offshore wind, while supporting industrial decarbonisation and the UK’s transition to net zero. The Celtic Freeport will be great news for Wales and the UK. I urge everyone to back the bid.“

With the UK and Welsh Governments expecting to determine the success of the bid in March, alongside 2 other freeport bids which have been submitted from other regions in Wales, there is still time to show support at www.celticfreeport.com

Cover image: Stephen Crabb MP, Tom Saywer CEO of Port of Milford Haven, Simon Hart MP and Stephen Kinnock MP at the MP and Peer drop-in session held last week.

News

A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

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AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED

THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.

The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.

AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.

Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.

Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.

More updates will follow as information becomes available.

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Crime

Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

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OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.

The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”

No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.

Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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Business

Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

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WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.

At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.

Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.

Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.

Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’

Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.

Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’

To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.

Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.

Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.

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