News

St Clears railway station project derailed

Published

2 years ago

October 26, 2023

Plans to reopen the long-defunct railway station have been thrown into disarray. The much-anticipated revival, backed by a £4.7 million commitment from the UK Government, has hit a financial brick wall, with the Welsh Government conceding its inability to match the necessary funds for the project’s completion.

The station, which closed in 1964, was slated for a grand revival, promising enhanced connectivity and economic opportunities for the region. Initial optimism had permeated the community when groundwork and surveying commenced in early 2022. However, the dream of a bustling transport hub now seems distant, as the project faces an unforeseen hurdle – a financial shortfall of nearly £6 million.

The crisis came to light during discussions in the Senedd this week. Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, revealed that the original cost estimate of £6 million had doubled due to complications arising from changes in signalling systems. “There’s an assumption in this scheme that the Welsh Government will match-fund and we were willing to match-fund at a lower cost but we simply do not have the funds to match-fund at the higher costs. That is the truth of the situation,” Waters somberly stated. His words laid bare the stark reality faced by the Welsh Government, caught between the community’s needs and financial constraints.

Conservative politicians for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Simon Hart MP and Samuel Kurtz MS, expressed their deep concern during a recent on-site inspection. Mr. Hart elucidated the financial intricacies, saying, “The UK Government promised nearly £5 million towards the project and the Welsh Government put in another £1.6 million – but the costs have doubled due to the price of changing the signalling and there is now a shortfall of nearly £6 million.” Their concern mirrored the sentiments of the local populace, disappointed by the project’s stagnation despite initial promises.

Further complicating matters is the Welsh Government’s approach, intertwining the railway station’s fate with a proposed new hospital in the vicinity. Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz voiced his disappointment, stating, “Despite this project being greenlit a few years ago, the Welsh Government have conflated the station build with the potential new hospital, seemingly making the station conditional on the hospital being built in St Clears. This means there has been no progress at all and, in this time, costs have risen.”

This revelation has left the residents of St Clears in a state of uncertainty, their hopes for improved transportation and economic growth hanging by a thread. The once-promising project now faces an ambiguous future, with the community eagerly awaiting decisive action from both the Welsh and UK Governments.

As the situation stands, the St Clears railway station remains a poignant symbol of unrealized potential, a reminder of the challenges faced by local communities in the pursuit of progress. The residents, alongside their representatives, remain steadfast in their desire for a resolution, hoping that the railway station will one day become more than just a fading memory, but a vibrant reality, breathing new life into their town.

An attempt to reopen the station in 1973 was made by five local authorities and organisations, together with the Department of the Environment, which jointly agreed to fund construction of a new station at a total cost of then of just £5,400 (or £25,000 in today’s money)

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.