News

Hundreds of miles of footpath lost in Pembrokeshire over past century

Published

1 year ago

October 6, 2023

IN AN AGE where appreciating the serene embrace of nature has become not only a leisure activity but a crucial component for mental and physical health, the disappearance of hundreds of miles of public rights of way in Pembrokeshire comes as a stark revelation.

Recent meticulous analysis by The Ramblers, a prominent charity advocating for walkers, reveals a considerable 378-mile deficit in protected footpath within the former boundaries of Pembrokeshire since the dawn of the 20th century. This reduction, unveiled by comparing historic and modern maps, posits a significant decline in spaces legally available for the public to engage in activities such as walking, cycling, and horse riding.

On a broader scale, The Ramblers, in collaboration with the New Economics Foundation think tank, divulged that the average postcode in Pembrokeshire is endowed with a mere 3,000 metres of footpath accessible within a 10-minute walk. In comparison, the average across Welsh postcodes slightly edges higher, offering approximately 3,500 metres.

Despite the available footpaths, the charity accentuates a pervasive inequality in access, wherein nature’s offerings tend to be more readily accessible to “the old, the healthy, the wealthy and the white”, according to Jack Cornish, Head of Paths at the Ramblers. Cornish underscores the “massive impact” that accessible walking routes can wield on health outcomes.

This revelation becomes even more poignant considering that almost 50,000 miles of public right of way have vanished across England and Wales over the last century. With the Welsh Government recognising and exploring the substantial benefits of “social prescribing” – advocating for physical activities such as walking and cycling as either alternatives or companions to medical treatments – the loss of such public pathways is particularly detrimental.

The plight is palpably present in the figures as well, with data from the Welsh Government revealing a dip from 60% to approximately 50% in the proportion of people walking over 10 minutes to a destination weekly, comparing 2019-20 to 2022-23.

In light of these findings, The Ramblers has articulated a robust call for a £650 million investment in paths across England and Wales, a move they argue could yield remarkable dividends in amplifying the nation’s health and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs responded to these revelations stating, “We are committed to increasing access to nature and our Environmental Improvement Plan sets out our ambition for every household to be within a 15-minute walk of a green or blue space.”

The Department further elucidated efforts towards enhancing access via a £14.5 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which encapsulates a suite of targeted measures aimed at elevating the accessibility of protected landscapes, national trails, and the wider countryside for all demographics.

In a world progressively aware of the integral relationship between nature and wellbeing, the restoration and preservation of public footpaths emerges not merely as an environmental concern, but a pivotal health and societal one.

News

Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter

Published

7 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.

Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.

Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.

Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.

The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.

Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.

“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”

For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]

News

Storage container fire in Newcastle Emlyn

Published

7 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AT11:48am on Friday (Jan 24), Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Llandysul and Carmarthen fire stations were called to a fire in Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn.

The fire involved a 40-foot by 8-foot storage container and was confined to a generator inside. Firefighters used a hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus sets, a thermal imaging camera, and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the blaze.

Crews remained on site to dampen down the area before departing at 12:57pm.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man accused of assault and perverting justice remanded in custody

Published

7 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of assaulting a woman has been remanded in custody after allegedly offering her money to drop the charges.

Lohan Chapman, 19, of Primrose Close, Neyland, is accused of intentionally strangling a female during an alleged incident in Milford Haven on August 1, 2024, and of assaulting her by beating. He denies both charges.

This week, Haverfordwest Magistrates Court heard that Chapman was remanded in custody on January 18 after being accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering his alleged victim an undisclosed sum of money to withdraw the charges.

District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in all three matters.

Chapman, who appeared via video link from Swansea Prison, will now face trial at Swansea Crown Court on February 17.

He was remanded in custody pending his appearance.