Travel disruption likely as council activates emergency shelter measures

TWO yellow weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for Pembrokeshire over the weekend, with hazardous conditions expected to affect travel across the county.

The first Met Office warning is in force until 10:00am on Saturday (Jan 3), with a second warning running from 3:00pm on Sunday (Jan 4) until 12:00pm on Monday (Jan 5). The alerts follow an earlier warning that was in place from midnight until midday on Friday (Jan 2).

Forecasters say icy conditions and snowfall could lead to delays to bus and rail services, while drivers are being urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys, particularly on untreated rural roads and higher routes across north Pembrokeshire and the Preseli Hills.

The Met Office said between 1cm and 3cm of snow is likely in parts of the county, with higher ground potentially seeing accumulations of 5cm to 8cm. Wintry showers are expected to become more frequent overnight, with icy patches forming where surfaces remain untreated.

Pedestrians have also been warned that pavements and cycle paths could become treacherous or impassable, especially during the early morning and evening hours.

In response to the cold conditions, Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed it will activate its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) from Friday (Jan 2) through to Sunday (Jan 4). The measure allows emergency accommodation to be provided for known rough sleepers during periods of extreme weather.

The council is urging members of the public to report anyone sleeping rough so they can be offered emergency shelter over the weekend.

A CALL to keep a staff caravan sited as a “a proportionate and necessary addition to support the ongoing operation” of a Pembrokeshire nursing home, has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Dr R C Chaudhry sought retrospective permission for the siting of a static caravan for staff accommodation at Fairfield Nursing Home, Church Road, Johnston.

A supporting statement through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited said: “The proposal is directly linked to the operation of the care facility and is required to ensure safe staffing levels can be maintained, particularly during periods of sickness, maternity leave and annual leave when agency or cover staff may be needed from outside the local area.”

It added: “The principle of the development is considered acceptable, as the proposal represents an ancillary facility which supports the functioning of an established care home and is consistent with the aims [of planning policy].

“The unit is considered modest in scale, appropriate in design and would provide an immediate solution to the needs of the home. Existing fencing and vegetation, together with proposed new planting, will provide effective screening to protect amenity of residents, occupiers of the caravan and neighbouring properties.

“The proposal will not materially increase traffic movements or parking demand, and the site is already well served by existing access and car parking provision. Existing mains drainage is in place, and the proposed unit would be connected to this system, all other services would be drawn from the care home.”

It concluded: “The static caravan represents a proportionate and necessary addition to support the ongoing operation of Fairfield Nursing Home without giving rise to unacceptable impacts on neighbouring amenity, access, or infrastructure.”

An officer report recommending approval said the caravan “located within a discreet position within the wider site, subservient to the existing care home building,” would “not have a significantly detrimental visual impact on the surrounding area”.

It added: “In regard to amenity, the use as overspill staff accommodation for the care home would be a use compatible with the site and wider area, which is made up of residential dwellings, and shall be controlled as such with a suitably worded condition.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Former Wales and Lions scrum-half reflects on drink-driving incident, family, and the state of Welsh rugby in Y Cyfweliad

FORMER Wales rugby star Mike Phillips has spoken openly about some of the most difficult moments of his life in a new episode of Y Cyfweliad on S4C, describing the emotional toll of past mistakes and the impact they had on his family.

The programme, which airs on Tuesday (Jan 6) at 9.00pm, features Phillips as the second guest in the new Welsh-language series, which is based on the internationally acclaimed format The A-Talks (also known as The Assembly).

Y Cyfweliad brings together a group of 30 autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning-disabled interviewers who question a well-known public figure without restriction, resulting in candid and often deeply personal conversations.

During the interview, Phillips speaks frankly about moments off the pitch that tested him the most, including having to tell his parents that he had been caught drink-driving.

He described the incident as one of the worst things he has ever done.

“I was so angry with myself because it’s one of the worst things I’ve done,” he said.

“I broke down with Mum and Dad and felt like I’d let people down. But I was very lucky that nothing bad happened.”

When asked about the last time he cried, Phillips returned to that period, reflecting on the emotional weight of disappointing his parents and the lasting impact it had on him.

The programme also explores his upbringing on a farm in Carmarthenshire, his life living in Dubai, and his views on the current state of Welsh rugby.

Phillips won 99 international caps for Wales, represented the British & Irish Lions, and between 2008 and 2013 was widely regarded as one of the best scrum-halves in world rugby.

Speaking about the challenges facing the national side today, he said: “We all know the situation – it’s difficult. We’re a small country, but it’s important that we have a national team that competes, even if it’s not always successful.

“They play with heart because they represent us all, and that gives people such a boost.”

The episode concludes with a moving performance of Calon Lân by the interviewers, bringing the conversation to an emotional close.

Y Cyfweliad – Mike Phillips will be available on S4C, S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer from Tuesday (Jan 6) at 9.00pm. Also appearing in the series are Bronwen Lewis and Elin Fflur. The first episode, featuring Dafydd Iwan, is already available on demand. English subtitles are available.