Seaside town plagued by signal congestion again absent from latest government-backed coverage improvements

A NEW milestone in the UK Government’s programme to improve mobile coverage across rural Wales has once again highlighted the continuing connectivity problems facing Tenby.

Officials confirmed this week that fifty government-funded mobile mast upgrades are now live in Wales as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN), a joint initiative between government and mobile operators aimed at expanding 4G coverage in rural communities.

Across the UK, 119 upgraded masts are now operational, providing reliable 4G access from all four major operators – EE, Vodafone, Three and Virgin Media O2 – in previously underserved areas.

However, as with earlier announcements linked to the programme, no locations in Pembrokeshire were listed among the latest upgrades, leaving ongoing questions about when improvements will reach one of Wales’s busiest tourist destinations.

Longstanding problems

The absence of any Pembrokeshire sites in the latest round is likely to fuel frustration in Tenby, where residents and traders have repeatedly complained about unreliable mobile coverage.

Last year, The Herald reported growing anger among locals who described the town’s mobile signal as “worse than the 1990s.” Residents said dropped calls, slow data and intermittent service were affecting everyday life and business operations.

One disabled resident said he had missed hospital calls because his phone repeatedly lost signal, while traders said customers were sometimes unable to make card payments due to network outages during busy periods.

The issue tends to intensify during the summer tourist season, when visitor numbers place additional strain on existing infrastructure.

Capacity rather than coverage

Unlike many communities targeted by the Shared Rural Network, Tenby is not classified as a complete mobile “not-spot”.

Instead, the town suffers from capacity issues, where networks become overwhelmed by the sheer number of users during peak periods.

This distinction means Tenby has often fallen outside the main focus of national programmes designed primarily to address areas with little or no coverage at all.

Earlier announcements under the SRN scheme also failed to include any sites in Pembrokeshire, despite dozens of upgrades elsewhere in Wales.

Political pressure

Concerns about the issue have even reached Parliament.

Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell recently asked ministers what action is being taken to improve connectivity in the county, naming Tenby specifically after it was omitted from previous upgrade announcements.

Independent data has suggested Wales continues to lag behind the rest of the UK in mobile performance, with some areas of Pembrokeshire recording relatively slow download speeds compared with national averages.

Attempts to improve infrastructure

There have been some attempts to strengthen mobile infrastructure around Tenby.

Plans were previously submitted to replace an existing telecommunications mast near Penally with a twenty-metre structure designed to support improved 4G capacity for multiple operators.

Developers argued the upgrade was necessary to improve digital connectivity for residents, businesses and visitors across the wider Tenby area.

However, progress on mobile infrastructure in the area has sometimes faced challenges, including planning concerns linked to the town’s location within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Rural upgrades continue

Despite the continuing issues in coastal towns like Tenby, the Shared Rural Network programme is continuing to expand across Wales.

Government figures say the scheme has already delivered 4G coverage from all four operators across an additional 34,000 square kilometres of the UK, while improving connectivity for 280,000 premises and more than 16,000 kilometres of roads.

Ministers say the programme will continue until at least 2027, with further upgrades planned.

For Tenby residents and businesses, however, the key question remains unchanged: when – or if – the town’s well-documented mobile congestion problems will finally be addressed.

With another busy tourist season approaching, local traders say reliable connectivity is no longer a luxury but an essential part of running a modern seaside economy.

Community groups invited to Newcastle Emlyn event to learn about grants and reducing running costs

CHURCHES, chapels and organisations responsible for graveyards are being invited to a free event later this month aimed at helping them secure funding for maintenance and upkeep.

The open event will take place on Wednesday (Mar 25) at Newcastle Emlyn Rugby Club. Proceedings will begin at 12:15pm, with attendees able to enjoy a cawl lunch for £5 before taking part in discussions on funding opportunities and ways to reduce running costs.

A range of national funding bodies and support organisations will attend, including the National Churches Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the Architectural Heritage Fund, PLANED and Perthyn.

The event is open to any community group responsible for older buildings or community assets that require financial support, although advance registration is required due to limited capacity.

The afternoon is being organised by PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator, Cris Tomos.

Cris Tomos said: “It is important that communities responsible for chapels, churches and graveyards are aware of current grant opportunities and understand what policies and reports need to be in place to secure funding. These buildings and assets are an important part of our communities and we want to help ensure the support is there to maintain them.”

He added that the event will include three panel discussions focusing on grant opportunities, sustainable development of heritage buildings, and practical ways communities can reduce running costs while generating income.

“There is ample free parking at the rugby club, and the event will provide a valuable opportunity for community groups to hear directly from funders and organisations offering support,” he said.

Anyone wishing to attend must register in advance. Places can be booked via Eventbrite by searching for “PLANED”, or by contacting the PLANED office on 01834 860965.

Further information and registration details can also be found online.

Historic oil paintings from Pembrokeshire County Art Collection showcased in “Reflections” exhibition

CLLR THOMAS TUDOR recently visited the VC Gallery to view a new exhibition celebrating the work of Narberth-born artist Edgar Thomas.

The exhibition, titled “Reflections,” features a collection of oil paintings by Thomas (1862–1936) and is drawn from the Pembrokeshire County Art Collection. The display has been organised in collaboration with Scolton Manor Park.

The Pembrokeshire County Art Collection holds the largest publicly owned collection of Edgar Thomas’ work anywhere in Wales.

During his lifetime, Thomas was recognised by the Welsh nationalist movement Cymru Fydd (Young Wales) as one of the artists who would represent the movement through the arts.

Despite a promising career, Thomas later fell into relative obscurity following the rise of fellow Pembrokeshire artist Augustus John. John’s major London exhibition opened just weeks before Thomas was due to launch his own, overshadowing the Narberth painter’s work.

Thomas was particularly fascinated by the use of chiaroscuro — the contrast between light and shade — and many of his paintings demonstrate considerable technical skill and delicate brushwork in capturing this dramatic effect in oils.

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to rediscover the work of a significant but often overlooked Welsh artist.