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Calls to stop Cardiff landfill waste being dumped locally

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A CALL to take immediate action to stop landfill waste from Cardiff being “dumped” at Pembrokeshire’s Withyhedge landfill site is to be heard later this week.

Residents who have been campaigning for action to be taken against the odours from the Withyhedge landfill site, to the north of Haverfordwest, say the smell is like ‘a stink bomb on steroids’.

The site is operated by Withyhedge Landfill (Resources Management Ltd) (RML) and has permission to deposit 250,000 tonnes of waste a year.

The Pembrokeshire County Council ePetition, by Colin Barnett of the Stop the Stink group, attracted 628 signatures in just under two months, meeting the threshold for a debate at council.

The petition, to be heard at the March 7 meeting, says: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to take immediate action to stop landfill waste from Cardiff being dumped onto this site and ensure all companies engaged with landfill waste to this site are rigorously inspected to gain significant improvement to air and odour quality that fully meets local residents’ expectations.

“Since the new owners have started operating from the Withyhedge landfill site they have increased the volume of waste dumped on this site by accepting an additional 50,000 tons of Cardiff residents waste to this site.

“Local residents now experienced a severe deterioration in their quality of life and as they are plagued by acrid and fetid air quality which is so putrid that it severely restricts their right to enjoy full and unrestrained use of their property and gardens.

“Residents all too frequently find themselves shut inside their properties with windows closed in an attempt to stop the smell from permeating into their house. Local hospitality businesses are also experiencing a reduction in trade due to the stench customers are faced with when they arrive.”

In a joint statement issued yesterday, March 4, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Public Health Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council said they will ensure capping of a waste cell causing significant odour issues at Withyhedge Landfill happens as swiftly and safely as possible.

The public bodies are working with the site operator to monitor air quality in response to increasing health concerns from the local community. Results are expected to start being received mid-March.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “We recognise the impact of odours on the local community coming from the Withyhedge site and we understand the level of concern this has caused.

“Since before Christmas our officers have been working closely with colleagues from lead organisation NRW to assess the incidence of odours from Withyhedge. Officers from our Planning and Public Protection teams have visited the site alongside NRW colleagues and engaged with the operators.

“I assure you a lot of work is continuing in the background and all public bodies have reconfirmed their commitment to ensuring a long-term solution to the problems as soon as possible.

“As partners we have also committed to continue engaging with the local community and updating on the situation going forward.”

 

Crime

Train disruption after youths seen playing on tracks at Haverfordwest station

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Police attend after dangerous incident involving football on railway line

TRAINS were delayed at Haverfordwest railway station on Tuesday (Apr 1) after a group of youths were seen playing with a football near live tracks, prompting a police response.

Footage captured by a bystander shows several young people on the platform throwing and kicking a ball across the station. In one clip, a youth is seen kicking a football from Platform 2 towards Platform 1, but the ball overshoots and lands beyond a fence into the station car park.

More concerning footage shows the ball rolling onto the railway line, with one youth climbing down onto the tracks to retrieve it—an act that poses serious risk of injury or death due to live rails and the potential for oncoming trains.

The incident caused disruption to services, with two trains delayed by 25 minutes while the situation was dealt with.

Police attended the scene, although it is not yet clear whether any arrests were made. Officers have been approached for comment.

Railway safety rules strictly prohibit access to the tracks except by authorised personnel, and incidents such as this are treated seriously due to the potentially fatal consequences.

The Herald understands that such behaviour can also lead to significant disruption across the rail network, affecting passengers and services well beyond the immediate area.

Anyone with further information about the incident is urged to contact police.

 

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Business

Haverfordwest producers showcased by Tesco in national Welsh food event

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Local firms highlighted as supermarket giant backs £27bn Welsh food sector

HAVERFORDWEST food producers were among those selected to take centre stage at a national showcase celebrating the very best of Welsh food and drink.

Supermarket giant Tesco hosted the St David’s Day event in partnership with the Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Wales initiative, bringing together leading suppliers from across the country.

Two Pembrokeshire-based businesses — Blas y Tir, part of Pembrokeshire Creameries, and Puffin Produce, both based in Haverfordwest — were among those chosen to represent Welsh produce on a national stage.The event, held to mark St David’s Day, showcased a wide range of products including dairy, baked goods, meats, curries and spirits, highlighting the breadth and quality of food produced across Wales.

Organisers said the showcase underlined the importance of supporting local suppliers, many of which are family-run businesses rooted in their communities and reliant on local agriculture.

The Welsh food and drink supply chain is estimated to be worth £27 billion, with companies like those in Pembrokeshire playing a key role in sustaining rural jobs and supporting farmers.

Visitors to the event were given the opportunity to meet producers and sample products, while a surprise performance from Welsh singers added a cultural element to the day’s celebrations.

Enfys Fox, relationship manager for local sourcing at Tesco Wales, said: “St David’s Day is a time to celebrate everything that makes Wales special, and our suppliers are at the very heart of that story.

“This event was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible range, quality and heritage of Welsh produce available in our stores.

“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with the Welsh Government and work with so many dedicated Welsh suppliers, many of them family businesses with deep roots in their communities. By supporting them, we’re not only bringing great products to our customers, but also investing in local jobs and the wider Welsh economy.”

The Herald understands that products from Pembrokeshire suppliers featured at the event are widely stocked in Tesco stores across Wales, giving local shoppers direct access to locally sourced goods.

While the showcase celebrated success, it also highlighted the growing importance of ensuring Welsh producers continue to secure fair opportunities within major retail supply chains.

The event formed part of Tesco’s wider commitment to strengthening partnerships with Welsh suppliers and promoting locally sourced food throughout the year.

 

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Health

Paramedic recruitment freeze confirmed in internal email to students

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‘No jobs in 2026–27’ as graduates told service has ‘more paramedics than required’

AN INTERNAL email sent to student paramedics has confirmed that no newly qualified paramedics will be recruited in Wales during the 2026–27 financial year, escalating concerns over workforce planning in the NHS.

The message, seen by The Herald, was sent to final-year students following a board meeting of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust on March 26.

It confirms that the trust “does not require any NQPs” this year, stating the decision is based on affordability and workforce restructuring.

The development follows reporting by BBC Wales that students had already been advised to seek work overseas.

‘Simply not affordable’

In the email, the ambulance service states:
“Employing NQPs in 2026 is simply not affordable… No extra funding has been made available by Welsh Government or our commissioners.”

It adds that a review of workforce needs concluded:
“We currently have more paramedics than required and enough lead practitioners to fill any short to medium term vacancies.”

Students say they have also been told the service is aiming to reduce paramedic numbers, despite ongoing delays in ambulance response times across Wales.

Graduates left without roles

Around 70 students are expected to graduate this year from Swansea University and Wrexham University.

Training is heavily subsidised by Healthcare Education and Improvement Wales, with costs estimated by students at around £50,000 per person.

Despite this investment, graduates have now been told to consider employment outside Wales—or even overseas—to begin their careers.

Patient care concerns raised

Students have warned the decision could impact patient care if fewer fully qualified paramedics are deployed on the frontline.

They say being redirected into lower-grade roles means their full clinical training will not be used.

One student told The Herald: “We are ready to go straight into frontline care. Instead, we’re being told to look abroad. It doesn’t make sense.”

Government under pressure

A Welsh Government response seen by The Herald acknowledges the issue and says ministers are working with the ambulance service and universities to support affected graduates.

However, the internal email suggests the decision is already firm for the coming financial year.

The Herald has approached the Welsh Government and the Welsh Ambulance Service for further comment.

 

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