LOCAL Senedd Member Paul Davies has welcomed the decision taken by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet to pause its proposed road‑realignment scheme in Newgale.

Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020.

In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron following the storms.

A public consultation – through agent AtkinsRéalis – was launched last year ahead of a formal council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed.

Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, some even saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date.

An alternative, cheaper, scheme had been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, proposing a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres seaward leaving an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water.

At the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, in a report presented by Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, members received an update on the scheme, which included options of a formal submission, abandoning it, and the favoured option of putting it on hold for a period of between 18 and 24 months.

The option recommended, and later backed by members, was: “Acknowledge that the scheme is required to be delivered, in light of climate change, the work undertaken to date and the results of the WG Roads Review and Pre Application Consultation. “However, taking into account the current financial climate and the immediate risk to the A487; pause the scheme prior to submitting planning application, and review the position in the next 18- 24 months.”

It also recommended maintain surveys of the scheme “with a view of future progression of the scheme to planning application as the scheme is required in the long term,” along with reviewing  “options available for short term improvements, including passing places and signage, to the division route implemented during road closures as a result of storm/ flooding impacts at Newgale through the Regional Transport Plan Funding,” and to “continue to review external funding options to support the delivery of the construction phase of the project”.

Mr Davies, who has supported the alternative proposals, said he was pleased that the Cabinet had halted its plans and urged the authority to give full consideration to the alternative community‑led scheme.

Mr Davies said: “Coastal erosion in Newgale has been a longstanding issue, and it’s crucial that any response is both effective and proportionate. The community has developed its own Newgale Beach Access and Shingle Bank Realignment Scheme which offers a less invasive approach that would significantly reduce costs for the council and local taxpayers.”

“Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet is right to stop its own scheme from going ahead and I now urge the Council to consider the community’s proposal, which strikes a far better balance between environmental protection, financial responsibility and the needs of local residents.”

AN AGREEMENT, securing the Ironman international triathlon competition in Pembrokeshire for up to the next five years has been backed despite concerns it can be a “massive pain” for some residents.

Since 2011, the annual Ironman event, based in Tenby, sees road closures and parking restrictions to many parts of the south of the county as thousands of athletes compete in a gruelling 2.3-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run.

The event has grown into a major fixture on the international triathlon calendar, attracting athletes and spectators from across the world and, enhancing Pembrokeshire’s profile.

A report for members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett at its February 9 meeting said: “The current Host Agreement with Ironman Wales for the event in Pembrokeshire is due to expire this year, with the 2026 event being the final event delivered under the existing arrangements.

“Ironman has submitted Heads of Terms proposing a new Host Agreement covering the period 2027 to 2029, including an option for a two-year extension subject to mutual agreement. Members are being asked to consider whether the Authority should enter into a new Host Agreement with Ironman for the period outlined above.”

It said a 2025 economic impact assessment, supplied by Ironman indicated athlete, spectator, supplier and Ironman expenditure for the event totalling just over £7.3million, the event involving  3,000 Ironman athletes and 2,000 Ironkids participants.

“Although there is no independent data, it is recognised and noted that the event does attract additional athlete training days and visits outside the event weekend, resulting in additional spend and economic benefit to the county, this would be additional above the economic impact assessment data, supporting the extension of tourism into the ‘shoulder’ season in September,” the report added.

Speaking at the meeting, Cabinet member Cllr Tessa Hodgson, whose Lamphey ward is included in the cycling part of the triathlon, said she had difficulty supporting the proposal, saying: “These events cause a huge amount of disruption in mine and other wards in the south of the county.”

She said there was a need to strike a balance between those who viewed the events as “a massive pain in the arse” and those benefitting, with small businesses that had to close for the duration as they were cut off from customers.

“The event is fantastic and does showcase the county but I’m looking for more balance and empathy for those affected; it’s about striking a balance and I’m not sure the balance is right at the moment.”

The report for members concluded: “Having reviewed the event provision against feedback received and overall benefits received to the county, it is recommended that the new Host agreement should be entered into and PCC continue to support the provision of Ironman Wales Pembrokeshire.”

Members supported the recommendation to enter into the Host Agreement for 2027-2029, with the option to extend for a further two years for 2030-2031, with seven members in favour and two against.

PLAID CYMRU’S new councillor for Fishguard, elected following the death of Jordan Ryan has promised to “take over the mantle” of the late councillor.

A byelection was declared following the death of Cllr Jordan Ryan, a former Labour councillor who later became and unaffiliated independent member.

In a seven-way battle for the Fishguard North-East ward the results declared on February 10 were: Caleb Charles Churchill, Welsh Liberal Democrats, 135; Paul Stephen Howe, Welsh Labour, 83; Peter Martin John, commonly known as Peter John, Reform UK, 95; Brian Andrew Murphy, commonly known as Brian Murphy, Welsh Conservative Party, 69; Teresa Ruth Tannahill, commonly known as Teresa Tannahill, Independent, 79; Adrian John Adrian Tyrrell , commonly known as Adrian Tyrrell, Independent, 35; and William Cuthbert Linton Shaw, commonly known as Billy Shaw, Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales 253.

Cllr Shaw’s election will see Plaid now having three county councillors in Pembrokeshire.

The-now Cllr Shaw said: “Thank you to the residents of Fishguard North East for electing me to represent them as their county councillor.

“I take over the mantle after the passing of the previous incumbent, Jordan Ryan, whose passing shocked us all. He was an excellent ambassador for Fishguard and I hope to do his memory proud. Now the hard work begins.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Caleb Churchill, who finished second, said: “Fishguard saw one of its highest turnouts to date, and not only in Fishguard: it was also one of the highest turnouts across Pembrokeshire in some time. That level of engagement is something we can all be proud of.

“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work my colleagues and I put into this campaign, and grateful for the support, encouragement, and conversations along the way. I also wish to make a special thanks to my agent throughout this campaign, Thomas Hughes.  

“As a first-time candidate, Tom has guided me through this journey and been incredibly patient and supportive – and I’m proud to call him my friend.

“Most of all, I want to thank my wonderful wife, and amazing little girl, for their patience, support, and understanding throughout the campaign, I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Cllr Jordan, Fishguard’s youngest-ever mayor, who “cared deeply about politics, social justice and equality,” died last November.

Fishguard North East ward member since 2022, Cllr Jordan Ryan was one of 10 Labour Party members on the county council, before announcing his resignation in late September, saying there is a need to build a new socialist party as Labour is failing to challenge “the forces of the far right on the march”.

Since leaving the Labour group, Cllr Ryan had sat as an unaffiliated member, offering to be “a critical friend of the current administration”.

Paying tribute to Cllr Jordan last year, Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “Jordan was a man of values and principles who was extremely proud to represent his constituents of the Fishguard North East ward.

“His passionate and thoughtful contributions to council meetings will be sorely missed by every member, no matter their political colours.”

Perhaps the last words should go to the late Cllr Ryan, who said his politics followed the Christian teaching of “feed the poor, heal the sick, love thy neighbour and share the wealth”.

In his call for a new socialism, he quoted poet Percy Blythe Shelly’s work The Masque of Anarchy, a response to the 1810 Peterloo massacre.

“Rise like lions after slumber, in unvanquishable number, shake your chains to earth like dew, which in sleep had fallen on you, ye are many – they are few.”