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News

Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme will include new section of A487

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NEWGALE, a constant victim of extreme weather and rising sea levels, is set for a transformative shift with the latest proposals under the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme.

With an ambitious plan to realign the A487, the local authorities are making concerted efforts to protect vital infrastructure and preserve the coastal community from the growing threats posed by climate change.

Newgale’s vulnerability became alarmingly evident during the severe storms of 2014, when sections of the A487 were flooded and debris from the beach’s shingle bank made the road impassable. Over the years, this stretch has regularly been disrupted by storms, with rising sea levels forecast to exacerbate the issue. According to projections, sea levels may rise by as much as 1.35 metres over the next century.

At the heart of the proposed solution is the realignment of the A487, a major coastal road connecting Haverfordwest with St David’s. The plan, which is estimated to cost £30 million, aims to move the road inland, bypassing the most vulnerable sections near the coastline. Currently, heavy storms cause flooding and frequent deposits of pebbles and shingle onto the road, rendering it dangerous and forcing regular closures.

The coastline at Newgale is eroding due to both natural processes and climate change. The shingle bank that once provided minimal protection is increasingly unstable, with the beach itself narrowing and becoming steeper. Continuing to maintain the current road by clearing pebbles will become more costly and disruptive over time.

“Simply defending the current road is not an option,” says a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council. “Adaptation is our best strategy to manage long-term changes. Climate change isn’t something we can wish away. We must respond proactively to protect both the community and the strategic infrastructure that is vital for the region”.

The Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme, first conceptualised following the 2014 storms, has undergone several phases of development. Initially proposed in 2018, the project has evolved significantly over the past five years, navigating numerous challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising construction costs, and input from local stakeholders.

Council – Simply defending the current road is not an option Pic: Herald

Pembrokeshire County Council, working with infrastructure experts Atkins, has conducted extensive environmental impact assessments and consultations to determine the most viable solution. The Welsh Government’s Roads Review, published earlier this year, gave its backing to the plan, allowing the project to proceed under the Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Fund.

In addition to the realignment of the road, the scheme includes a comprehensive plan to mitigate environmental impacts, ensuring that the biodiversity of the region is preserved, while carbon emissions from construction are minimised. These measures align with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which prioritises long-term environmental sustainability.

Despite widespread support for the scheme, not all community members agree with the proposed solutions. The local group Stand Up for Newgale (STUN) has advocated for an alternative strategy that would reinforce the existing shingle bank. Their plan calls for a 10-12 metre realignment of a portion of the shingle bank seaward, creating an “overwash barrier” to protect the road.

Bus stranded in Newgale. Pic: Herald/Yuko Tanaka

However, experts have expressed concerns that STUN’s proposal would be a short-term fix and may not withstand the increasing frequency of storms and rising sea levels. The shingle bank’s natural movement is difficult to predict, and reinforcement would require continuous and costly maintenance, which could become unsustainable over time.

The scheme is now at a critical juncture, with the Council working to finalise plans and move towards a planning application. The current design is undergoing a “freeze” phase, where the finer details are being ironed out before the next steps, such as securing full funding and proceeding to a public inquiry.

Environmental surveys, traffic impact assessments, and further consultation with local landowners and businesses are ongoing. Pembrokeshire County Council is keen to ensure that all voices are heard through Task and Finish Groups (TFGs), which provide a platform for residents and stakeholders to contribute to the final plan.

If all goes according to plan, construction could begin within the next few years, securing Newgale’s future and ensuring that this essential route connecting Haverfordwest with the St Davids Peninsula remains open.

Community

Choir joins Welsh Guards Band for memorable concert

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PEMBROKE and District Male Voice Choir shared the stage with the renowned Band of the Welsh Guards during the band’s tour of Wales, delivering a stirring performance at Harri Tudur School hall.

A capacity audience enjoyed the collaboration, with the choir and band uniting for powerful renditions of Welsh classics Cwm Rhondda and Gwaddoloddiad. The Band of the Welsh Guards also performed a medley of traditional Welsh folk tunes and music from the acclaimed film Wicked.

Choir MC Matthew John introduced the evening in his distinctive style, while the choir’s set—featuring newly added pieces Let A New Day Dawn and Tell My Father—was selected by Musical Director Juliet Rossiter. Accompanist William Lambert, a recent addition to the choir, provided support on the keyboard.

The event was co-ordinated by Councillor Aden Brinn, with distinguished guests including Deputy Lord Lieutenant Sharon Lusher, Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Councillor Steve Alderman, Mayor of Pembroke Councillor Ann Mortesen, Senedd Member Sam Kurtz, and mayors from neighbouring communities.

Proceeds from the evening were donated to the Welsh Guards Charity. A special guest was David Silcox of Haven Self Storage, whose company has sponsored an impressive banner to promote choir concerts.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of the choir’s senior member, Frank Harries, who recently passed away at the age of 95.

The following evening, the choir performed again at Monkton Priory Church, raising funds for the RNLI in another well-attended concert.

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Community

Castle Ward Councillors Meet at Waldo Lounge to Discuss Residents’ Concerns

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ON MONDAY (Mar 11), County Councillor Thomas Baden Tudor, alongside Councillors Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner and Dani Thomas-Turner from Haverfordwest Town Council, held a joint meeting at the Waldo Lounge.

The gathering provided an opportunity for the councillors to address issues raised by Castle Ward residents and discuss matters of local concern. Councillors were joined by representatives from Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust and Haverfordwest, Fishguard, and St Davids Police, who provided valuable updates on their current and future plans.

Councillor Tudor expressed his gratitude to the services for their insightful contributions, which highlighted ongoing efforts and future projects aimed at improving public services in the area.

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Education

Children learn how delicious potatoes are produced locally in Pembrokeshire

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SCHOOL children from across Pembrokeshire, aged from five to 16, learnt how the food produced locally is delicious and nutritious during a highly successful ‘Food Story / Stori Bwyd’ event, held by the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

During the event potato, dairy, sheep and poultry farmers from all over the county volunteered their time to talk to the children and give hands-on demonstrations. They explained to the children how they produce potatoes, dairy products, eggs and meat. They also demonstrated how they farm sustainably, look after local wildlife and how they care for the countryside.

The event was held on the Pembrokeshire County Showground and the focus was on potato growing, production and supply. The children also got the opportunity to taste locally produced jacket potatoes with a variety of toppings cooked perfectly and served by staff from Castell Howell.

Kathy Wilson, a former teacher and now an Honorary Pembrokeshire Show Governor, organised the event on behalf of the Society’s Food Story / Stori Bwyd. She said, “I would like to say a massive thank you to each and every one of the volunteers and who took two days out from their busy work on the farm to come and talk to the children and demonstrate how they produce food and drink. A big thanks also to the local providers who contributed to the event. The smiles on the faces of the children said it all, they listened intently, enthusiastically took part in the demonstrations and the teachers took resources back with them to their schools to continue the learning.

“One of the important elements of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s work is educational and spreading the word around the county about how local food is produced by farmers. Everyone enjoyed eating the jacket potatoes after they had learnt how hard the farmers work to produce them.”

As well as food production, the event was an opportunity to teach the children about the seasonality of what farmers produce locally and how the weather and climate affects the work farmers do as well as the different food groups and healthy eating. 

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President was one of the farmers who volunteered their time to talk to school children at the event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Kathy Wilson and Jo in the show office for all the hours they have put in to organise this magnificent event. To see how much the children enjoyed learning how their food is produced through hands-on demonstrations is heart warming.”

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society would like to thank NFU Mutual Pembrokeshire, the CLA Charitable Trust and Women in Wales, for their financial support. Thanks also to the Camrose Vintage Working Day for their support as well as the NFU, Wales Farm Safety and Puffin Produce for providing educational resources and buckets for the schools and pupils.

Food Story volunteers will be at the County Show on 20 and 21 August 2025 with an interactive display and demonstrations for children to have fun and take part in to learn where their food comes from.

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