THREE people were taken to hospital following a collision on the A477 near Cleddau Bridge on Monday (Mar 17).

The crash, which involved three vehicles, happened shortly before 9:00am between Cleddau Bridge and Honeyborough roundabout. Emergency services attended the scene, and both lanes of the road were closed for nearly two hours.

One lane reopened at 10:45am, with the road fully cleared by 10:55am.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police attended a three-vehicle road traffic collision which occurred on the A477 just before 9:00am. Three people were taken to hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries.”

FIREFIGHTERS across Mid and West Wales are set to stage a rally in protest against changes to their working patterns, with concerns raised over the impact on work-life balance and mental wellbeing.

The demonstration, organised by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), will take place at 9:30 am on Monday, March 24, 2025, outside the headquarters of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service on Lime Grove Avenue, Carmarthen.

The union has criticised senior management for pushing through a transition to 12-hour shifts, arguing that the change is being forced upon frontline staff without proper consultation. The FBU claims the new shift pattern will be particularly damaging to firefighters with caring responsibilities and could negatively affect both mental and physical health.

A spokesperson for the FBU said: “There is no justification for these changes. Senior managers are refusing to listen to the valid concerns of firefighters, who are already working in a high-pressure environment. This decision will make it even harder for them to balance their personal and professional lives.”

Around 80 firefighters are expected to attend the rally, with FBU officials also present. The event will provide opportunities for media coverage, including interviews, photographs, and filming.

The dispute over shift patterns comes amid wider concerns about resources and working conditions within fire services across Wales. The Herald understands that tensions have been growing between staff and management over what many see as a disregard for frontline workers’ welfare.

A response from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been sought.

The rally is expected to draw significant attention, with firefighters standing united against what they see as an unjustified overhaul of their working hours.

MAJOR investment across South West Wales will help narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas in a boost for agriculture and remote communities.

Forming part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s £25m digital infrastructure programme, a dedicated rural workstream is committed to delivering high-quality connectivity to places where the cost of connecting homes and businesses would otherwise be too high for commercial investment alone to be viable.

Investing in high-speed broadband in rural communities across Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea would help enable the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to benefit businesses including farms.

This technology would help farmers monitor crops, livestock, machinery and environmental conditions remotely and in real time, potentially leading to improved decision-making, resource efficiency and cost savings.

Supporting initiatives such as UK Government’s Project Gigabit is also a key aspect of the digital infrastructure programme’s rural workstream. Local digital champions are on board to ensure communities are aware of when applications for voucher schemes are being accepted.

In addition to Government initiatives, the programme has developed the ‘Better Broadband Infill Project’, and a commercial partner is now being sought to build a gigabit-capable network to serve rural communities with broadband speeds of less than 30mbps which are not in existing commercial plans or interventions such as Project Gigabit.

With the rise of IoT in agriculture paired with the increased pressures to reduce waste and meet sustainability goals, access to high-speed internet will be critical for seamlessly connecting these technologies.

Rhys Jones, of Arwain DGC, said: “By collaboratively supporting investment in rural network connectivity, will help to enhance livestock health, raise production efficiencies and harness the future economic sustainability of local Welsh farmers. Innovation and Technology will be invaluable to secure the reputation of Welsh agriculture as leaders in animal health and welfare”.

“Rural connectivity is essential for long-term economic growth. When rural areas have access to reliable high-speed internet, it opens up a world of opportunities, and empowers rural communities to become more resilient in the face of future challenges”

Cllr Rob Stewart, Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Joint Committee, said: “As we look to a future where every industry, including agriculture, is seamlessly integrated into the digital economy, rural digital connectivity plays a pivotal role.

“The Swansea Bay City Deal digital infrastructure programme’s approach of working together with both the public and private sectors, alongside the UK and Welsh governments, is providing vital support to ensure that farmers and rural communities are equipped with the tools needed to overcome the challenges of transitioning to an increasingly connected world.”

Visit the case study page to watch a video on the importance of rural digital infrastructure and the future of farming.

For more information on broadband connectivity in your area, you can get in touch with your local digital champions. Funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal’s digital infrastructure programme, the digital champions are continuing to work closely with suppliers, their partners and the UK and Welsh governments to ensure that rural communities are better connected.