News

Pentagon review puts Pembrokeshire radar project in doubt

Published

1 year ago

June 12, 2025

A DEEP space radar facility planned for the former RAF Brawdy base in Pembrokeshire could be scrapped or delayed as the United States reconsiders its defence commitments under the AUKUS security pact.

The Herald understands that the Brawdy site has already been the subject of consultations led by the UK Ministry of Defence, which has confirmed its involvement in the proposed development of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) — a joint project with the United States Space Force.

DARC is a state-of-the-art tracking system designed to monitor satellites and space debris in high orbits, including geostationary orbit. Once operational, it would provide 24/7 global coverage through three radar sites in Alaska, Australia, and the UK, with Brawdy identified as the UK location due to its strategic Atlantic position and Cold War-era infrastructure.

However, the project has now been thrown into uncertainty following a Pentagon review into the broader AUKUS defence pact signed in 2021. While originally focused on nuclear submarines, the AUKUS agreement has since expanded to include advanced military technologies such as quantum computing, cyber warfare, undersea surveillance, and space domain awareness.

***There have been huge protests against the facility being located in Pembrokeshire (Image: Supplied)***

The current review — being led by former Pentagon official Elbridge Colby — will assess whether the US should continue funding all aspects of AUKUS, amid growing concerns in Washington over the rising costs and strategic focus of the agreement.

If the DARC programme is scaled back or cancelled, the proposed Brawdy installation may be among the casualties. That would be seen as a victory by long-time anti-militarism campaigners and environmental activists in West Wales, who have opposed the return of foreign defence infrastructure to Pembrokeshire.

In public statements, the MOD has acknowledged holding local engagement sessions and confirmed Brawdy as the preferred site, but has so far declined to comment on the potential impact of the Pentagon’s review.

If approved and built, the radar facility would represent the most significant military installation in Pembrokeshire in decades and would restore Brawdy’s strategic role within a new era of space-based surveillance.

The Herald will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as further information emerges from both Washington and Whitehall.

News

Bus overturns in major incident near Kidwelly

Published

53 minutes ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

All passengers rescued as emergency services remain at scene

A BUS overturned on the A484 between Kidwelly and Ferryside on Tuesday (Jun 23), prompting a major emergency response and lengthy road closures.

The incident happened shortly after 12:20pm near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

Emergency services, including firefighters from Kidwelly, Carmarthen and Tumble, were sent to the scene following reports of a serious collision involving the bus.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that all passengers were safely removed from the vehicle.

A spokesperson said: “All passengers have been safely removed from the bus and are receiving appropriate care.”

A rest centre has been established at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly, where welfare arrangements are being made for those involved.

The scale of the incident led Dyfed-Powys Police to declare a major incident earlier in the day, with officers urging members of the public to avoid the area.

The A484 remains closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog while emergency services continue their response and carry out investigations into the cause of the crash.

Police, ambulance and fire crews remain at the scene.

Motorists are being advised to find alternative routes and are warned that the road is expected to remain closed for a considerable time.

Emergency services have also issued advice for drivers caught in congestion during the hot weather, urging people to stay hydrated, keep vehicles ventilated and never leave children, vulnerable adults or pets inside parked vehicles.

The cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

News

Major incident declared after bus crash in Carmarthenshire

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Emergency services at scene as A484 closed near Parc y Bocs

A MAJOR incident has been declared in Kidwelly following a collision involving a bus.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were dealing with the incident on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

The road has been closed between the Kidwelly roundabout and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are being urged to find alternative routes.

Emergency services are at the scene, and members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area until further notice.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Officers are dealing with a major incident in Kidwelly, following a report of a collision involving a bus on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout.

“The road is closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are asked to find alternative routes.

“Emergency services are on scene and members of the public are asked to stay away from the area until further notice.”

More information is expected to follow.

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

16 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.