News

Cuts to hit recycling centres

Published

10 years ago

February 18, 2015

LOCAL businesses and employees of Pembrokeshire County Council are set to lose out if the cabinet approves reduced opening hours for recycling centres in Monday’s meeting (Feb 2).

The proposal, set out as a cost-cutting measure, will see all six recycling centres across the county close for two days a week. This is despite all the sites being described as ‘well used and locally important’.

These plans will affect the new recycling facility due to open this year at Crane Cross, Saundersfoot, which was given the go-ahead by planners last August despite concerns regarding access and traffic. This site was originally intended to be open ten hours a day through summer, and eight in winter, seven days a week, to match the centre at Salterns, Tenby which it will replace.

If these changes take place, the proposal states ‘it is envisaged that the current workforce will need to be reduced from current levels’, and warns of ‘significant implications for employees in terms of their working arrangements’. It is claimed that there will be no compulsory redundancies. However, these reductions will be at the expense of temporary staff, and will also result in existing vacancies remaining unfilled.

If approved, the council estimates that around £100,000 a year will be saved. The current cost of running the sites stands at over £900,000.

Under the terms of the proposal, the recycling centres at Waterloo, Pembroke Dock; St Davids; and Hermon will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Winsel, Haverfordwest; Manorowen, Fishguard; and Crane Cross, Saundersfoot will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

These weekday closures will have more of an effect on local businesses who use the facilities on a day-to-day basis, than on householders or occasional users. This could have an impact on revenue generated by the sites. At present, a van load of ‘chargeable waste’ costs £101 to dispose of. Although the proposal states that ‘an alternative site in reasonable proximity is always available, local businesses wishing to use the centres will in some cases be forced to travel much greater distances’.

If accepted, it is recommended that this proposal is to ‘undergo a process of both public and staff consultation’

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 mins ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand. Despite these measures, the terminal remains overwhelmed by the volume of traffic.

From our position at the terminal, we have captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion. The atmosphere is one of both frustration and resilience as passengers await their departures.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

41 mins ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”