Independent candidate says five-year delay is “simply not good enough”

AN INDEPENDENT Senedd candidate has called for urgent action to restart progress on the long-promised reopening of St Clears railway station.

Carl Peters-Bond, who is standing in Caerfyrddin and also serves as Mayor of Kidwelly, has urged the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to finally deliver on commitments first made more than five years ago.

The station, located on the West Wales line between Carmarthen and Whitland, was closed in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts, which saw widespread reductions to the UK rail network. Its reopening has been the subject of local campaigns for decades, with supporters arguing it would reconnect rural communities to the national rail system.

In 2020, the project secured funding through the UK Government’s New Stations Fund, with Carmarthenshire County Council leading initial development work. The announcement was widely welcomed as a significant step towards improving transport links in west Wales.

However, despite early progress including feasibility studies and design work, the scheme has yet to move into construction. No confirmed timetable for delivery has been published.

Carl Peters-Bond said: “People in Carmarthenshire were told in 2020 that St Clears station was coming back. Five years on, we have vision documents, glossy strategies and endless consultations, but not a single shovel in the ground. It’s simply not good enough.”

He contrasted the delay with major transport investment elsewhere, adding: “While hundreds of millions are being invested in Cardiff and the Valleys through the Metro, and billions have gone into HS2, still labelled as ‘England and Wales’ infrastructure, communities like ours are left waiting.

“Carmarthenshire deserves its fair share of investment, and St Clears station should be at the front of the queue.”

Supporters of the scheme say a reopened station could help reduce reliance on cars along the busy A40, while improving access to employment, education and healthcare for residents in surrounding rural areas. It is also seen as an opportunity to boost tourism by making west Wales more accessible by rail.

Carl added: “Transport for Wales talks about improving connectivity in West Wales, but plans do not get people to work, school or hospital. Trains do. It is time for delivery, not more documents.”

As part of his campaign, he has pledged to push for a clear timetable, hold decision-makers to account on delays, and press for greater investment in the county’s transport network.

He added: “Carmarthenshire has waited long enough. If elected, I will make sure St Clears station is not forgotten again. Our communities deserve action, not another decade of promises.”

SCHOOLS in Pembrokeshire have been recognised for their role in a major Welsh pilot scheme aimed at improving careers education, as a national rollout prepares to open later this year.

The Careers Wales Quality Award (CWQA), launched in September 2023, has seen 66 schools and education settings across Wales take part, including Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and Pembrokeshire Learning Centre.

The scheme focuses on strengthening careers and work-related experiences (CWRE) for pupils aged three to sixteen, in line with the Curriculum for Wales.

Early feedback from pilot schools highlights a number of benefits, including stronger leadership and planning, improved engagement with parents and employers, and increased confidence among teachers delivering careers-related learning.

Schools also reported that the programme has helped ensure careers education remains a consistent priority across school life.

Gareth Williams, of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, said: “Being part of the pilot has made us realise we are doing more than we thought.

“It’s encouraged us to rethink things like parent evenings by inviting employers in, and it keeps careers high on the agenda in everything we do.”

The award is delivered in three stages—Leadership, Development and Impact—guiding schools from planning their approach to fully embedding careers education and demonstrating its impact on learners.

Careers Wales says the pilot has helped shape the scheme ahead of its wider launch, with participating schools working closely with curriculum coordinators to refine the framework.

The national rollout will introduce Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, allowing schools to progress at their own pace while recognising achievement.

Mark Owen, Head of Stakeholder Services at Careers Wales, said: “High-quality careers and work-related experiences are essential in helping learners understand their options and develop the confidence and skills they need for the future.

“The quality award provides a clear and supportive framework for schools to embed this work across the curriculum.”

Registration is now open for schools across Wales to join the programme from September 2026.

Further information is available via the Careers Wales website.

State-of-the-art 22-metre craft marks reset after £3.6m pilot boat controversy

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has taken delivery of a new 22-metre pilot vessel, marking a major investment in safety and operational capability on one of the UK’s busiest waterways.

The vessel, named Llanion, has arrived in Welsh waters following a successful delivery voyage from the Netherlands, where it was built by Next Generation Shipyards.

Designed specifically for pilotage operations, the new craft features a modern hull design, self-righting capability, and advanced safety systems, enabling it to operate in challenging conditions while supporting the safe movement of vessels across the Milford Haven Waterway.

Its arrival effectively brings to a close a long-running saga surrounding a previous generation of pilot boats built locally in Pembrokeshire at a reported cost of around £3.6 million. The Pembrokeshire Herald previously reported extensively on the issue, including a front-page story highlighting concerns about the vessels’ performance and suitability for operational use.

Those vessels were later withdrawn from frontline service following safety concerns raised by crews.

Since taking over as Chief Executive, Tom Sawyer has overseen a shift in direction at the Port, with a stronger emphasis on operational reliability, safety and long-term performance. The commissioning of Llanion is widely seen as part of that reset, addressing issues that had affected confidence in the pilot fleet.

Tom Sawyer said: “This project is a testament to collaboration and innovation. Working closely with our partners and our own technical teams, we now have a vessel that reflects the highest standards of design, safety and operational capability.

“Llanion will play a key role in supporting the safe and reliable movement of vessels on the Milford Haven Waterway for years to come.”

The new vessel is the result of a five-year collaboration between the Port of Milford Haven, naval architects BMT, Camarc Design and the Dutch shipyard, with Port teams closely involved throughout.

Dirk Keizer, Technical Director at Next Generation Shipyards, said the company was “extremely proud” to deliver the vessel, adding that it “excels in safety, performance and reliability.”

Ed Soothill, Technical Director at Camarc Design, said it was “wonderful to see Llanion arriving in Milford Haven,” while Steven Lee, Chief Naval Architect at BMT, described the vessel as “the Port’s next generation pilot boat.”

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s largest energy port and a key economic driver in Pembrokeshire, supporting thousands of jobs and handling a significant share of Britain’s oil and gas imports.

Photo caption:

New arrival: The Port of Milford Haven’s 22-metre pilot vessel Llanion (Pic: Port of Milford Haven).