THE SPEED limit through a Pembrokeshire village, which has previously seen ‘serious safety concerns’ raised, could be reduced.

Pembrokeshire councillors, last November, considered a petition calling for a reduction in the speed limit at Square and Compass, north Pembrokeshire, calling for a reduction of the current 50mph limit on that section of the A487 Fishguard-St Davids road.

The petition, which attracted 127 signatures on the council’s own website, and a further 152 signatures on paper, was started by Emma Tannahill, who hopes the speed will be lowered to 40mph.

It read: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to reduce the current speed limit of 50 miles per hour on the main road (A487) through Square and Compass as it is a serious safety concern for the community. This road is home to many families with young children.

“A school bus from Croes Goch Primary School has a drop-off point on this stretch of road which further exacerbates the risk of accidents. In addition, there are young families that cycle to and from Croes Goch primary school along this road.

“This section of road also serves as a thoroughfare for traffic to and from Croes Goch petrol station and Torbant caravan-site. Both of which see a high volume of traffic and pedestrian activity. The high speeds of traffic on the main road is a risk to those coming in and out of these sites.

“In addition to the petrol station and caravan-site there is also a pub and public bus stop, both of which are adjacent to this 50 mile-per-hour section of road. Reducing the speed limit would significantly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclist.”

At that scrutiny meeting, committee chair Cllr Mark Carter said he had driven through the area after the petition was received, feeling it was “bizarre” it should have a 50mph limit when similar stretches of road in other villages had 40 and even 20mph limits.

A public consultation has now been launched, local member Cllr Neil Prior saying: “Following years of work and campaigning, Pembrokeshire County Council is formally consulting on reducing the speed limit from 50 to 40mph from Mesur-y-dorth to the bottom end of Square & Compass.

“Thank you to all who have helped with this, and I hope that it will see a reduction in speed and an improvement in the quality of people’s lives as a result.”

The consultation documents states: “The review concluded that the current limit should be reduced from 50mph to 40mph to maintain a safe and consistent speed distribution along this length of the A487 and ensure the safety of all turning movements from the accesses, junctions and through traffic.”

EXTRA funding has been secured for two regeneration projects in Haverfordwest, and increases in costs will see no additional burden to the council, senior Pembrokeshire councillors heard.

At the April meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members received an update on both the budget position and latest funding received for the Heart of Pembrokeshire (HoP) and Western Quayside schemes.

The approved capital budget for delivery of the HoP scheme is £26,277,487, while the Western Quayside scheme approved budget is £11,624,000, a report for members, presented by Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said.

“Additional external funding has been obtained to undertake green infrastructure works at Western Quayside and to allow the physical linkages between the key town centre locations of Haverfordwest Castle and the town centre, via Castle Square, to be enhanced in order to widen the town centre offer under a discrete Shared Prosperity Fund 2 (2025-26) work package to a value of £1,261,512,” the report said.

An additional £2,700,000 funding for Western Quayside has also been secured through the Transforming Towns Fund, to support the Western Quayside Fit Out and phase 2 elements, including Foundry and Public Realm space.

It also said fundraising consultants were preparing a separate Transforming Towns application for funding for further enhancement to the castle link and town centre wayfinding elements of the HoP scheme and funding to the post-HoP fitout scheme.

This would not increase PCC’s capital contribution to either scheme.

It said costs had risen, but would be covered by the extra funding: “Since the capital bid was approved by Cabinet, a number of variations have been experienced during project delivery.

“Currently, provision is required for £2,224,667 of anticipated costs and risk allowances. This is made up largely of costs associated with the gaol building due to its worse than anticipated condition, and restrictions imposed by archaeology, together with addressing the challenges realised at Castle Back and the associated work to address the safety issues in this area (risk of landslip).

“With regards to Western Quayside, there have been a number of changes to the extent of the works within the public realm and the works associated with the Foundry Warehouse. These changes will bring the foundry building into productive commercial use and fully link the Western Quayside building, foundry building, bridge and Library into a fully integrated public realm.

“Achieving these outputs, compliant with planning consent, has necessitated an increase to the budget of £1,736,845. These costs are fully covered by the recently received uplift to the Welsh Government Transforming Towns grant.”

Members agreed to increase and reallocate the budget associated with the two schemes, to accommodate the additional external grant funding, and also, subject to securing additional external funding, delegate authority to the Director of Resources to increase the HoP and post-HoP fitout project budgets on condition that PCC’s contribution does not increase.

Council urged to pause project amid environmental and financial concerns

OPPOSITION is mounting against Pembrokeshire County Council’s plans for a new inland road at Newgale, as local campaigners accuse the authority and its consultants of using “shock tactics” and outdated data to justify the controversial scheme.

The £60 million Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project (NCAP) is currently in the statutory consultation phase, with the public invited to submit comments before the deadline of May 11.

The scheme, designed in partnership with Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRéalis, proposes diverting the A487 inland through the Brandy Brook valley. The council says the route is necessary to future-proof a flood-prone stretch of the existing coastal road, which was severely affected during storms in 2014.

Campaign group STUN raises alarm

But campaigners from Stand Up for Newgale (STUN) claim the 2014 storm—often cited in council communications—was an isolated incident and should not be used as the sole justification for such a major project.

“Using dramatic images of one rare event to promote this scheme is misleading,” said a STUN spokesperson. “The 2014 overtopping cost the council just £13,000. That is a world away from the £60 million now being proposed. Even if storms like that happened every year, it would take thousands of years to justify this level of spending.”

STUN’s alternative proposal involves moving a section of the existing shingle bank around 10 metres seaward and constructing improved beach access infrastructure. Costed at under £500,000, they say it would protect the road for the next century without requiring a new bypass.

The group has published artist’s impressions of its plan and launched a crowdfunder to fund their own planning submission.

Environmental and tourism concerns

Environmental impact is a key issue for campaigners, who warn that building the new road would irreversibly alter the Brandy Brook valley—a landscape currently part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

According to technical documents seen by The Herald, the proposed bypass would require a 120-metre-long, 15-metre-high concrete bridge supported by over 100 buried columns. Construction would involve thousands of tonnes of materials and temporary access roads, which STUN claims would pose pollution risks to the watercourse and destroy natural habitats.

They also argue that the loss of facilities such as public toilets, the T11 bus stop, and nature trails through campsites could harm the local tourism industry.

Support from local councils and politicians

Several community councils in the area—Brawdy, Solva, Nolton and Roch—have submitted formal objections. Senedd Member Paul Davies has also publicly backed STUN’s alternative, warning that the current proposal is financially irresponsible.

“I am very disappointed that the council is pushing ahead with its plans rather than working with the community on a much more affordable scheme,” Mr Davies said. “We know the council is struggling financially, and yet somehow it is content to find millions of pounds for a scheme the local community opposes.”

Suspicions over military connection

Some residents have raised questions about the scheme’s timing, given a proposed US military radar installation at nearby Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy. The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project, involving 27 large radars, would require substantial construction traffic.

STUN believes the bypass may be intended to facilitate this and argues that, if linked, the road and radar plans should be submitted together for planning approval.

Council response

Pembrokeshire County Council has maintained that the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project is vital for ensuring long-term resilience to climate change. The council has previously stated that sea level rise and worsening storm conditions present a growing risk to the A487.

A spokesperson said the scheme remains at the consultation stage and that all feedback submitted before the May 11 deadline will be carefully considered.

Public urged to take part

Campaigners are encouraging members of the public to submit objections or comments during the consultation window.

How to have your say:

Email: newgale@atkinsrealis.com (copy: contact@stun.wales)
Post:
Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project Team
AtkinsRéalis
12 Orchard Street
Swansea
SA1 5AD

The consultation runs until Saturday, May 11, 2025.