News

Plaid Cymru calls for HS2 funding as disruption sparks debate

Published

12 months ago

December 17, 2024

PLAID Cymru representatives have condemned the UK Government over the HS2 rail project, branding it the “Great Welsh Train Robbery”, while calls for a fairer funding settlement for Wales intensify. However, the UK Government insists that Wales benefits indirectly from the high-speed rail project, while the Welsh Labour Government faces questions about its role in addressing the issue.

Ann Davies, Plaid Cymru MP for Caerfyrddin and the party’s Westminster transport spokesperson, criticised the lack of funding for Wales as well as the expected disruption to Welsh rail passengers caused by the construction of Old Oak Common station.

Plaid Cymru’s frustration

Speaking in Westminster on Tuesday (Dec 17), Ms Davies said: “It is well documented that Wales is being robbed of £4 billion in consequential funding from HS2.”

She highlighted the disruption that will affect journeys on the Carmarthen-London route, with some trains expected to be diverted from London Paddington to Euston for up to seven years.

“Welsh passengers will be robbed of their time as trains could be diverted due to the construction of Old Oak Common. It is no wonder that HS2 is being referred to as the Great Welsh Train Robbery.”

Cefin Campbell MS, Plaid Cymru Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales, echoed her concerns:“Wales deserves better connectivity and transport links that serve her people. The Government must stop sidelining Wales and deliver the funding owed.”

UK Government’s response

The UK Government maintains that HS2, classified as an “England and Wales” project, provides indirect benefits to Wales. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said:

“We are committed to improving services for rail passengers in Wales, investing a record-breaking £2bn in Welsh railways from April 2019 to March 2024. HS2 will deliver economic benefits to all parts of the UK, including Wales, by improving connectivity and reducing congestion.”

The Government argues that the improved rail capacity HS2 provides in England will create opportunities for better services across the wider network, indirectly benefitting Welsh passengers.

Questions for Welsh Labour

Plaid Cymru also criticised the Welsh Labour Government for failing to take a stronger stance. Ann Davies questioned whether the First Minister has made adequate representations to the UK Government about the disruption:

“Can the Minister set out what meetings he has had with the Welsh First Minister regarding the near decade of disruption facing Welsh passengers?”

However, the Welsh Government has consistently called for fairer funding. A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said:

“We continue to press the UK Government for a fair funding settlement that reflects the impact of HS2 on Wales and ensures investment in rail infrastructure.”

Funding disparity

Ann Davies MP also highlighted what she described as historical underinvestment in Wales:

“Despite having 5% of the UK population and 11% of track miles, Wales has received only 1-2% of rail enhancement funding in recent years. Electrification in Wales stands at just 7%, compared to 44% in England and 33% in Scotland.”

Transport experts have supported these concerns. Professor Mark Barry, an advisor to the Welsh Government, said:

“As it is now, we’re supporting a massive scheme in England with no benefit to Wales—and getting no funding. That’s outrageous.”

As disruption looms for Welsh passengers, commuters have expressed concern over overcrowded stations and longer journeys. Passengers travelling to London face diversions, with the situation expected to last up to seven years while construction at Old Oak Common continues.

Plaid Cymru has renewed its call for the UK Government to release the £4 billion it claims is owed to Wales, urging investment in better connectivity and infrastructure.

Cefin Campbell MS added: “The Government must alter its course, deliver the £4 billion Wales is owed, and ensure effective measures are in place to protect Welsh passengers from disruption.”

With the debate showing no signs of slowing, Welsh passengers and politicians alike will be watching closely to see whether funding and disruption concerns are addressed in the coming months.

News

BBC apologises to Herald’s editor for inaccurate story

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2025

Staff Writer

THE BBC has issued a formal apology and amended a six-year-old article written by BBC Wales Business Correspondent Huw Thomas after its Executive Complaints Unit ruled that the original headline and wording gave an “incorrect impression” that Herald editor Tom Sinclair was personally liable for tens of thousands of pounds in debt.

The 2019 report, originally headlined “Herald newspaper editor Tom Sinclair has £70,000 debts”, has now been changed.

The ECU found: “The wording of the article and its headline could have led readers to form the incorrect impression that the debt was Mr Sinclair’s personal responsibility… In that respect the article failed to meet the BBC’s standards of due accuracy.”

Mr Sinclair said: “I’m grateful to the ECU for the apology and for correcting the personal-liability impression that caused real harm for six years. However, the article still links the debts to ‘the group which publishes The Herald’ when in fact they related to printing companies that were dissolved two years before the Herald was founded in 2013. I have asked the BBC to add that final clarification so the record is completely accurate.”

A formal apology and correction of this kind from the BBC is extremely rare, especially for a story more than six years old.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines
docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon last week, marking the start of physical
deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on
shortly after 4pm on Wednesday 26th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy
components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the
existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today is
due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-
loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through
Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the
latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are
expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be
blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with
a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG
terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to
power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven
throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock.

Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

The Weather conditions are currently were favourable for this morning’s the arrival of
the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are
expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-
bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery
programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.