Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Climate

Hydrogen fuelled local bus in green public transport trial

Published

on

AN FUTURISTIC demonstration of green, zero-emission public transport is underway in west Wales using a hydrogen fuelled bus between Haverfordwest and Carmarthen.
The trial on the 322 bus route began on Tuesday 26th September and runs on selected days until Monday 9th October 2023.
The bus is being operated with the support of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire County Councils, bus operator Taf Valley Coaches and private hire operator Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions.
The bus is fuelled by locally produced electrolytic green hydrogen – made from renewable electricity and water – supplied by Protium from their installation at the University of South Wales Hydrogen Centre in Baglan.
The H2 City Gold electric bus is provided by Caetano Bus UK with the HyQube hydrogen refueller provided by Fuel Cell Systems Ltd.

The bus has an equivalent range to that of a conventional diesel vehicle and takes a similar time to refuel. It uses a refuelling point similar to the garage forecourt that we are all familiar with.
The 322 service was chosen to see how the bus performs on a longer route with long hills, which can be a challenge for battery powered buses.

Cllr Paul Miller, PCC Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “Following our successful trial of hydrogen fuel cell cars in the Milford Haven : Energy Kingdom (MH:EK) project we know that decarbonising public transport is key to achieving our individual and collective commitments for net zero carbon.
“We are pleased to host this trial. Hydrogen can play a significant role in decarbonising public transport and the only emissions from this vehicle is water vapour”.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Infrastructure & Environment, Darren Thomas added: “The use of hydrogen is very much part of the council’s decarbonisation and renewable energy strategy.
“Given the major renewable energy and hydrogen projects that are underway in the region, hydrogen fuelled buses offer a practical solution for communities to decarbonise public transport and immediately improve air quality. These trials are great news as they could lead the way for cleaner public transport.”
Bus and coach operator Taf Valley Coaches, a family-owned and operated business based in Whitland, is trialling sustainable fuels and technologies to help decarbonise their operations.

As part of the Caetano bus trials, they will be getting feedback from the vehicle, the drivers and also the passengers to help inform future provision.
Chris Foxall, Founder and CEO of Hyppo Hydrogen which is delivering hydrogen related services in Wales and has established the first private hire operator that runs fuel cell passenger cars, said: “The fuel cell is a Welsh invention and with the vast potential for additional renewables in counties like Pembrokeshire, it makes sense to produce and use hydrogen locally.
“There is already significant experience dealing with hydrogen safely in the region, and so I’m pleased that the council is supporting the roll out of hydrogen transport for the benefit of the community.”

Meanwhile, the Senedd will today (Oct 4) debate a motion calling on the Welsh Government to protect and invest in bus services.

Jane Dodds MS has accused Labour Ministers of stringing bus services along and being too slow to act on its long-awaited reform of bus services. In the debate, Jane will highlight the huge benefit that public transport has to local economies, with 63% of small and medium-sized businesses stating that their business is directly affected by public transport.

Commenting, Jane Dodds MS said: “For months, Welsh Government have strung communities and bus operators along with last-minute and short-term announcements around the funding of bus services. What’s more, the long-awaited reforms to bus services still look no closer to being delivered.

“Over recent weeks and months, vital services like the Fflecsi Bwcabus in rural areas has been axed, and more than 10% of bus services have seen major revisions, with huge ramifications for our communities.

“Meanwhile the Conservatives in Westminster are toying with the idea of scrapping the Manchester leg of HS2 means that new services will come nowhere near Wales. Any notion of HS2 being of any benefit to Wales is an absolute joke.

“The Conservatives are running out of excuses to withhold £5bn in infrastructure spending for Wales and, by sitting on their hands, Labour Ministers are watching bus services fail. We deserve better.

“Communities and bus operators need urgent clarity about Welsh Government plans and a crystal clear timeline to deliver the changes and improvements we all want to see in our bus services.”

 

Climate

Chris Packham and Ben Lake MP back Cardigan climate film screening

Published

on

A FREE public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing will take place at Small World Theatre, Cardigan, on Friday, June 26.

Doors will open at 6:30pm, with the 50-minute film followed by a facilitated community discussion.

The screening forms part of a growing UK-wide programme of events aimed at ensuring the public, community leaders and decision-makers are clearly informed about the climate and nature crisis, and what it could mean for communities across the country.

The film follows the National Emergency Briefing, held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered to hear from leading experts on the UK’s exposure to climate and nature risks.

Introduced by Chris Packham CBE, the briefing examined the implications of climate and nature breakdown for food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security, as well as evidence-based actions which could help reduce those risks.

That national event has now been adapted into The People’s Emergency Briefing, a public film being screened in communities across the UK, including more than 100 screenings in Wales.

Chris Packham said: “I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing. It creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about what these changes mean where we live, and about what we can do together to address them.”

Organisers say the Cardigan screening is particularly relevant given recent flooding on the Teifi, longer hot dry spells, stronger storms, heavier rainfall, biodiversity loss and concerns over regular pollution incidents.

Following the film, those attending will be invited to take part in a structured open discussion focusing on what positive changes can be made locally.

Local MP Ben Lake is expected to attend, along with Members of the Senedd, councillors and other community leaders who have been invited.

The discussion will be led by Jane Davidson, former Welsh Government minister for environment, sustainability and housing, who helped inspire and lead the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Wales Net Zero 2035 project.

Philip Hughes, one of the event organisers, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to come together, look at the evidence, and begin a more open and informed conversation about what it means for our community.

“We often hear the views of ‘Dave down the pub’, but this film gives evidence from top scientists, economists, doctors and security chiefs on why bolder action is now needed.”

Tickets for the Aberteifi screening are free, but booking is essential as space is limited.

To book, contact [email protected] or call 07787 197630.

More information about The People’s Emergency Briefing can be found at www.nebriefing.org/screening-map

 

Continue Reading

Business

Sageston 76-metre tall wind turbine set to be refused

Published

on

A CALL for a five month breathing space for a wind turbine application which was previously withdrawn late last year over a lack of information on how it may affect bats, is expected to be turned down and the scheme refused.

In December of last year, in an application recommended for refusal at Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Constantine Wind Energy Ltd sought permission for a 76-metre-high wind turbine at Summerton Farm, Sageston.

Back in 2024, an application to replace a current 60.5m high turbine on the site with one up to 90 metres, or just under 300 foot, at the site was refused on the grounds its height and scale would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the locality, with the additional clause of failing to comply with supplementary guidance.

A report for committee members on the latest application says the smaller turbine than previously proposed, representing a 16-metre increase in height from a previously granted turbine “would not be sufficient for it to become an overbearing feature in the landscape,” with no objections from either the Council Landscape Officer or Natural Resources Wales.

However, concerns were raised by the council ecologist that the applicant’s Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report was incomplete, with a bat survey not included.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds that appraisal report, and technical note, “do not adequately address the impact of the proposed wind turbine on bat activity in the area”.

At the December meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to deal with issues raised, the application now returning to the June meeting, again recommended for refusal.

A report for members ahead of the June meeting says the application was withdrawn from the December agenda to allow the applicant time for consideration of the Council Ecologist’s request for further survey work.

“Further consultation took place with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the result being that NRW agree with the Council Ecologist’s stance that additional survey work is required.

“The applicant has submitted a request for a further deferral of the application to allow the necessary surveys to be carried out. The bat survey programme requires surveys over Spring, Summer and Autumn. The Spring survey was completed on May 14 and the Spring and Summer surveys will take place on July 14 and September 7 respectively.

“The applicant expects a report to be issued to the council for consultation before the end of September, with consultation with NRW and the council ecologist expected to be completed during October 2026.

“On the assumption that the proposal is considered acceptable the applicant expects that the application could be considered at the November 2026 planning committee meeting.

“Accordingly, the applicant requests deferral of the application to the November 2026 planning committee meeting to avoid the unnecessary costs, resources and timelines for a resubmitted application.”

The application is recommended to be refused at the June meeting of Pembrokeshire County council’s planning committee on the basis that “the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report and Technical Note do not adequately address the impact of the proposed wind turbine on bat activity in the area. As such, therefore, the proposal is contrary to the requirements [of planning policy].”

 

Continue Reading

Climate

Wales heatwave prompts warning over climate readiness

Published

on

Experts say UK is ‘built for a climate that no longer exists’

WALES is being warned it cannot afford to wait to adapt to a changing climate, as high temperatures continue to affect communities across the country.

Climate experts and campaigners say Wales and the wider UK remain dangerously underprepared for worsening heatwaves, flooding, drought and pressure on food production.

The warning follows a major report by the Climate Change Committee, the UK’s independent climate advisory body, which states that the country is “built for a climate that no longer exists”.

The committee says climate change is already undermining the UK’s security and prosperity, with impacts expected to intensify rapidly over the coming decades unless urgent action is taken.

Bethan Sayed, Head of Politics at Climate Cymru, said: “The message is clear: Wales cannot afford to wait. We are already living with the impacts of a climate our infrastructure was never designed for, and things are only going to get worse.

“Our farmers are on the frontline, facing drought, flooding and growing uncertainty about what they can produce. At the same time, our towns and cities are not prepared for the levels of heat we are heading towards, putting lives at risk, especially among the most vulnerable.

“We know what needs to be done, from climate-resilient farming and water security to redesigning our communities to cope with heat and flooding.

“Across Wales, local groups are already taking action to try and protect themselves, but the question remains: will governments act with the urgency this moment demands?

“Delaying action will cost far more, in lives, livelihoods and public finances, than investing now to protect people and build resilience.”

The Climate Change Committee warns that by 2050 the UK could face significantly more extreme climate conditions.

Among the risks identified are up to 92% of homes overheating during severe heatwaves, river flows increasing by up to 45%, and summer droughts causing water shortages of more than five billion litres a day.

In Wales, many of those pressures are already being felt. Farmers are dealing with increasingly unpredictable weather, crop losses and rising costs, while communities face greater exposure to floods, heatwaves and water scarcity.

Campaigners say the issue is no longer only about cutting emissions, but also about preparing homes, public services, transport, farming and water systems for the climate impacts that are already locked in.

Despite growing evidence of the risks, adaptation efforts are not keeping pace with the scale of the challenge. Experts warn that without faster action, Wales risks avoidable damage to infrastructure, food systems, public health and local economies.

The committee says the UK must prepare for at least 2C of global heating by 2050, while recognising that 4C by the end of the century remains possible.

Climate Cymru said this means urgent, large-scale investment is needed across all sectors to protect people, strengthen communities and reduce the cost of future climate damage.

 

Continue Reading

News7 hours ago

Council tax shake-up in doubt as Welsh Government reviews reform plans

Questions over 2028 revaluation as ministers reconsider next steps THE FUTURE of council tax reform in Wales has been thrown...

Crime8 hours ago

Paddleboard company owner loses bid to cut sentence over Haverfordwest tragedy

A FORMER paddleboard company owner jailed over the deaths of four people on the Western Cleddau has failed in a...

Community1 day ago

Crisis response dogs launched to support people through trauma and distress

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched...

News2 days ago

Major fire breaks out at Tata Steel site in Port Talbot

TATA STEEL has confirmed that a major fire broke out at its Port Talbot steelworks on Wednesday night, with emergency...

Community2 days ago

HMS Erebus tragedy links Pembroke Dock ship to Templeton family

DNA breakthrough identifies cabin boy David Young as exhibition marks 200 years since ship’s launch ON MAY 19, 1845, a...

Community3 days ago

Narberth cash machine closures spark urgent access review

CALLS have been made for an urgent review of access to cash in Narberth after two town centre ATMs were...

Health3 days ago

First Minister quizzed on Welsh NHS pressures in his first-ever FMQs

SENEDD Members pressed the First Minister over the state of the health service in Wales, as the Plaid Cymru leader...

Community3 days ago

Historic paddle steamer Waverley to return to Fishguard this month

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Fishguard this month as part of her annual visit to South...

Local Government4 days ago

National Express use of new Haverfordwest interchange still subject to risk checks

A RUMOUR that National Express coaches may struggle to use Haverfordwest’s new transport interchange has been denied by Pembrokeshire County...

Crime4 days ago

Milford Haven man jailed for illegal Premier League streaming service

A MILFORD HAVEN man who supplied illegal Premier League streams and loaded Firesticks to almost 2,000 customers has been jailed...

Popular This Week