News

Pembrokeshire recycling centre saved axe at last minute

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE waste recycling centre, at fear of closure as part of potential budget cost savings, has gained an eleventh-hour breathing space.

Pembrokeshire is currently facing a projected funding gap of £31.9m in setting this year’s budget, with a council tax increase of 16.3 per cent, along with cuts in services to balance the books, proposed by senior councillors ahead of the March 7 meeting of full council.

The actual decision on the 2024-’25 budget – and associated council tax rate and budget savings – will be decided by full council at that meeting.

The 16.3 per cent rate was backed by members of the county council’s Cabinet earlier this month, with members receiving a raft of potential costs savings to the council, including a ‘red’ less-favoured option to close St Davids waste recycling centre, netting some £25,000, and later £60,000 due to associated fixed costs.

The fear of a potential closure has led to a change.org petition calling for it to remain open, started by Richard Davies, which has attracted more than 1,600 signatures to date.

The potential closure was expected to be part of the council’s 2024-’25 budget at the March 7 meeting, with a pre-submitted question on the subject by Councillor Alan Dennison included in that meeting’s agenda.

Since the agenda was published, local councillors have been informed the centre will now have a 12-month breathing space.

In a letter sent to local county councillors, confirmed by the local authority, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents Services said: “As you will know, all service areas in the authority were required to come forward with a list of possible proposals to save money in order to meet the unprecedented financial challenge facing the council and for the Infrastructure and Environment Directorate, this was one of those identified.

“It is my proposal that this item is given further consideration before being brought back to Cabinet later this year.

“In practical terms, this means that we will continue to operate the WRC at St David’s for the year 2024/5 whilst examination of future options takes place, but I do need to stress that we need to work pro-actively with the community and city council to find a sustainable model going forward or the facility will remain at risk.”

Cllr Sinnett thanked councillors Bethan Price, Mark Carter and Neil Prior for their “strong advocacy” in calling for the centre to remain open.

Announcing the reprieve, Cllr Price said: “I would like to announce to you all that it has ‘just’ been saved for another year 24/25.

“I have to emphasise the word ‘just’ as there is a lot of work to be done to secure the future of this site. But for now, I am over the moon and delighted with this outcome, our voices have been heard and we have a long way to go.

“Moving forward Cllr Sinnett stressed strongly that we need to work pro-actively with the community and city council to find a sustainable model going forward or the facility will remain at risk.”

Neighbouring Ceredigion County Council, which set its budget on February 29, is facing the potential closure of one of its four waste recycling centres.

News

Road closed for hours after crash between Steynton and Sentry Cross

Published

13 seconds ago

February 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police confirm route reopened shortly before 6:00pm

The A477 Neyland Road was closed in both directions on Friday (Feb 14) following a crash between Steynton and Sentry Cross.

Emergency services were called to the scene during the afternoon, with motorists warned to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed shortly after 3:30pm that the road had been shut due to a collision.

A spokesperson said: “The road is currently closed due to a collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey. Thank you.”

Traffic monitoring reports indicated queuing in both directions between the A4076 Steynton Road and Beaconing Drive.

The road remained closed for several hours while the incident was dealt with.

Shortly before 6:00pm, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the route had re-opened.

“The road has now re-opened. Thank you for your patience,” a spokesperson added.

There were no immediate details regarding injuries at the time of publication.

Community

New corporate member joins Narberth & Whitland Rotary

Published

58 minutes ago

February 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NARBERTH & Whitland Rotary has welcomed its first Corporate Member.

On Wednesday (Feb 11), Stephen Vale, Insurance Broker Manager with Lloyd & Whyte in St Clears, was formally inducted at the club.

The induction ceremony was carried out by South Wales District Governor Ian Hughes, following an introduction by Narberth & Whitland Rotary President Robin Bradbury.

Corporate Membership recognises the increasing emphasis businesses place on corporate social responsibility, enabling companies to give back to their local communities through Rotary’s established structures and projects.

Rotary says corporate membership also offers opportunities for staff development, leadership experience, and involvement in fundraising and volunteering activities that deliver tangible benefits to the community.

Pictured (left to right): South Wales District Governor Ian Hughes, Corporate Member Stephen Vale, and Narberth & Whitland President Robin Bradbury.

Community

Second Milford Haven webcam launched after 1.3m views and US TV feature

Published

4 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Twin live feeds from Herald roof now showcase both marina and Milford Haven Waterway

A SECOND live webcam overlooking Milford Haven has gone live from the roof of 11 Hamilton Terrace — home of The Pembrokeshire Herald — expanding the town’s growing global digital footprint.

The original harbour-facing camera, streamed worldwide via EarthCam, has already clocked up more than 1,300,000 views. It even featured on ABC News in the United States, where the Milford Haven view was broadcast live ahead of a national weather forecast.

That first stream — listed on EarthCam as “Wales Waterway” — looks across Milford Marina and the busy lower reaches of the Haven, capturing ferry departures, commercial shipping, leisure craft and the changing light across the Pembrokeshire skyline.

Now, a second camera has been added, offering a complementary perspective further up the Milford Haven Waterway towards the Cleddau.

A global window on Wales’ largest port

The new feed captures daily activity along the largest port in Wales — from the twice-daily Wales–Ireland ferry sailings to petroleum, oil and gas tankers moving more than 60 million tonnes of cargo each year. Thousands of smaller vessels, from yachts to powerboats, also pass through the Waterway annually.

Together, the two cameras provide twin live perspectives of one of the UK’s most strategically significant maritime corridors.

As dawn broke over Milford Haven this morning, the Waterway lay still beneath a clear sky, the first light spilling across rooftops and masts before stretching out over the wide expanse of the Haven.

From the vantage point of Hamilton Terrace, the scene felt both intimate and expansive — a quiet town waking gently while a major working port prepared for another day of movement and industry.

It is moments like these that help explain the worldwide appeal of the EarthCam streams. Viewers tuning in from across the UK, Europe and North America are not simply watching ships pass; they are witnessing the rhythm of tide and trade, the sweep of weather systems, and the subtle beauty of West Wales unfolding in real time.

From dramatic winter steam plumes rising from power station chimneys to calm summer sunsets over the marina, Milford Haven’s live feeds have become a constantly changing digital canvas.