News

Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme will include new section of A487

Published

2 years ago

September 8, 2024

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.

Business

Llangwm brewery closes after entering liquidation

Published

7 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SMALL Pembrokeshire brewing company has been formally wound up after its owners concluded the business could no longer continue.

Black Tar Brewing Co Ltd, which was registered in Llangwm, entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation following a meeting of company members on February 27, 2026.

The meeting was held at the Swansea offices of Stones & Co Insolvency Practitioners, where Gareth Stones was appointed to oversee the closure.

The company’s registered address was at Gail Rise in Llangwm, near Haverfordwest, and official records listed its activities as beer manufacturing.

No public details have yet been released about the size of the business, the value of its assets or the amount owed to creditors.

As liquidator, Mr Stones will now take control of the company’s affairs, identify any remaining assets and determine whether funds are available for those owed money.

Creditors are expected to receive further information as the process develops.

The liquidation was initiated by the company rather than through a court order, meaning its members voted to bring trading to an end and place its finances in the hands of an insolvency practitioner.

A public notice connected to the closure directs creditors and other interested parties to Stones & Co for further information.

The winding-up brings an end to the Llangwm-registered brewery, although the company’s recent level of trading and the number of people connected to the business remain unclear.

Crime

Murder investigation launched into death of Pembrokeshire man in 1991

Published

8 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.

Education

Haverfordwest pupils impress judges with eco-friendly cleaning business

Published

10 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ysgol Preseli also represented Pembrokeshire among five finalists at an all-Wales green skills competition

A TEAM of Haverfordwest pupils has earned national recognition after developing a range of environmentally friendly cleaning products aimed at hotels and tourism businesses.

The Sustainables, from Haverfordwest High VC School, presented their idea to business leaders, Welsh Government representatives and sustainability experts at the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon 2026.

The pupils gave a live demonstration of their product and explained how it could be priced and marketed to businesses across the hospitality sector.

Their combination of environmental thinking and commercial awareness impressed the judging panel, which awarded the team a Highly Commended prize.

Pupils from Ysgol Preseli also reached the final, meaning Pembrokeshire was represented by two of the five teams selected from across south and west Wales.

The competition, held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, challenged Year 8 pupils to find practical solutions to environmental problems affecting tourism, hospitality and the built environment.

The overall winners were the Green Guardians from Llangatwg Community School in Neath Port Talbot.

Their design for a more sustainable school included an outdoor learning centre which could also operate as a pupil-run garden café.

The hackathon marked the end of a year-long programme in which pupils worked alongside teachers, employers and community organisations to research problems, develop ideas and present their solutions.

More than 1,000 Pembrokeshire pupils have taken part in the Tomorrow’s Changemakers programme since it was introduced in the county in 2023.

The Port of Milford Haven is the programme’s main partner in Pembrokeshire.

Anna Mullarkey, the Port’s stakeholder engagement and communications manager, said: “The creativity and innovation shown by these learners is truly inspiring.

“They transformed their ideas into practical solutions that could help build a more sustainable future.

“We’re proud to support young people in reaching their full potential and delighted to see schools across Pembrokeshire creating environments where ideas and talent can flourish.”

The programme has now worked with more than 3,000 young people across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot.

It is due to expand further from September, with Ysgol Harri Tudor and Ysgol Caer Elen joining the Pembrokeshire programme alongside schools in Swansea, Powys and Bridgend.

Cymbrogi Futures founder and chief executive Liza Lort-Phillips said Pembrokeshire remained at the heart of the initiative.

She said: “The county has extraordinary young people with bold ideas about the future of their communities.

“Our job is to give them the space, the tools and the confidence to act on those ideas.”