News
AM welcomes safer routes to school consultation
MID AND WEST WALES Assembly Member, Rebecca Evans, has welcomed a new consultation aimed at providing safer routes to school.
The new consultation, launched by Transport Minister Edwina Hart, seeks views on new statutory guidance for risk assessing walked routes to school to improve the safety of children. It follows recommendations from the Assembly’s Children and Young People Committee – of which Mrs Evans is a member – and the Children’s Commissioner.
Launching the consultation, the Minister said: “I want to ensure children are able to walk to school safely. Together with our investment in the safe routes in communities programme, traffic calming measures around schools and training programmes such as Kerbcraft this guidance will help create an environment in which children can travel to school safely.
“We have listened to the concerns of the Children’s Commissioner and Assembly Members about the previous guidance and this revision addresses those issues. I would encourage children, parents and teachers to have their say on this important issue.”
The consultation focuses on improving the current risk assessment for walking routes to school. It will run until 7 February 2014. Further information is available on the Welsh Government website.
Mrs Evans, member of the Assembly’s Children and Young People Committee said: “The committee has previously looked into the need for safer routes to schools, hearing from parents, children’s groups, and education professionals.
“I am very pleased that the Minister has taken this forward, and I urge people to have their say and submit their view to the consultation.
“We are trying to encourage more children to walk to school as part of an active lifestyle, and it is imperative that we also keep them safe when doing so.”
Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales said: “The Safety on Learner Transport (Wales) Measure 2011 is clearly focussed on promoting the welfare of and safeguarding of children and young people during their journeys to schools and other educational settings. Where a child or young person regards themselves as unsafe on a walked route to school, and suffers anxiety or stress as a result of this, they are less likely to be able to engage in and benefit from their right to education.
“That is why Welsh Government’s response to the concerns I have raised is so welcome. I look forward to the development of guidance that will ensure equal regard for the welfare of children and young people travelling to school on foot”.
The consultation has been launched on the first day of Road Safety Week, which aims to raise awareness of a number of issues around making our roads safer for drivers and pedestrians.
The Minister added: “Road Safety Week is an important opportunity to promote safer road use. The Welsh Government is committed to making our roads safer for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. We recently published our road safety framework which sets-out how we will try to reduce the number of road traffic collisions, particularly those which result in serious and fatal injuries.
“There is also a lot of good work going on at a local level across Wales to improve safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists and make them more aware of potential dangers. We will continue to support and work with our partners across Wales to deliver such schemes.”
Community
Landslide causes delays between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge
MOTORISTS are being warned to expect delays following a landslide on the coastal road between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were aware of the obstruction and advised drivers to use alternative routes where possible.
Anyone who cannot avoid the area is being urged to allow extra time for their journey and to remain patient while the incident is dealt with.
The road is particularly busy during the summer season, providing a popular coastal link between Saundersfoot, Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge.
It is not yet known how much material has fallen onto the road or when the route is expected to be fully cleared.
Police confirmed that a landslide was causing delays on the road between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge at 2.15pm on July 12. Drivers were asked to remain patient and avoid the area where possible.
This is a developing incident and further updates will be published as they become available.
Community
Police warn Tenby Summer Spectacular is ‘a disaster waiting to happen’
POLICE have warned that Tenby’s Summer Spectacular has become “a disaster waiting to happen”, amid concerns about overcrowding, crowd surges and restricted access for emergency services.
A decision on the future of the event’s premises licence is expected within days after Dyfed-Powys Police asked Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee to revoke the existing licence, arguing that it is no longer fit for purpose.
The two harbour-based spectaculars planned for August have already been provisionally cancelled by organisers Tenby Round Table following difficulties agreeing crowd-control arrangements with the council.
The annual events, which feature food, drink, live music and a popular fireworks display, have been a highlight of Tenby’s summer calendar for many years.
However, police told the licensing hearing that the event had grown beyond what could safely be accommodated at its current location.
A police representative said the harbour area should have a maximum capacity of around 1,600 people, but estimated crowds of approximately 3,000 had attended previous events.
The committee heard concerns that overcrowding could lead to crowd surging, while the limited number of escape routes could create serious difficulties during an emergency.
Police stressed that they were not opposed to the event itself, but said it had “evolved from a family event to a large-scale drinking environment”.
Concerns were also raised by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust over emergency access, while Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service highlighted wider public safety risks.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s lead licensing officer, Geraint Griffiths, described the current arrangements as “very dangerous” and warned that any significant movement or surge within the crowd could have devastating consequences.
The premises licence covers Tenby Harbour car park and extends to the top of Penniless Cove Hill. The site includes a stage, stalls, refreshment stands and a bar selling alcoholic and soft drinks in cans.
Alcohol is currently sold under a temporary event notice rather than as a licensed activity included within the premises licence.
The open-air event is not fenced or ticketed, with visitors invited to make a voluntary donation on entry. People are also able to access the area from the harbour beach, an issue described during the hearing as one of the main obstacles to safely controlling numbers.
Tenby Round Table disputed some of the figures presented by the emergency services, saying several incidents referred to had not been directly connected to the Summer Spectacular.
Members said they had spent much of the past year trying to resolve questions surrounding access and crowd control.
A Round Table representative told the committee: “This year’s event has been cancelled. It arose from the sheer volume of people visiting Tenby, creating a question we have tried to get answered for the best part of a year.
“Without a clear answer, we couldn’t finish our licensing plan and couldn’t responsibly hold our events.”
The organisers previously said negotiations with Pembrokeshire County Council’s public realm department had failed to produce a clear and workable agreement allowing temporary restrictions on pedestrian access to the harbour and beach.
Without those restrictions, they said it would not be possible to legally or safely control crowd numbers.
Committee member Cllr Mark Carter suggested the event may have become “too successful” and could have outgrown its current location.
He described unrestricted access from the nearby beach as “the elephant in the room” and said any future proposal would need to include a robust plan for controlling entry.
Tenby Round Table said moving the main event elsewhere while retaining the traditional harbour fireworks display would present significant logistical challenges.
Councillors were presented with four options, including revoking the licence or allowing it to continue with amended conditions.
Committee chairman Cllr Tim Evans said members would consider the evidence before issuing a written decision, which is expected within five working days.
Entertainment
Free waterfront cinema screening to celebrate start of school holidays
FAMILIES are being invited to celebrate the start of the school holidays with a free outdoor screening of Disney-Pixar favourite Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront.
The Torch Theatre will launch its 2026 Sunset Cinema season at Mackerel Quay on Friday, July 17, with the marina and Milford Haven Waterway providing the backdrop.
Sponsored by Milford Waterfront, the family screening will be shown on the Torch Theatre’s new outdoor LED cinema screen. Gates will open at 1pm, with the film beginning at 2.30pm.
Admission is free, although tickets should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre.
The entertainment will continue into the evening with a screening of the 1980s classic Back to the Future at 7pm.
Tickets for the evening film can also be purchased through the Torch Theatre website. Audiences are encouraged to arrive from 6pm and bring their own chairs and blankets.
A selection of food and drink vendors will be available throughout the afternoon and evening.
Lucy Wonnacott, Head of Communications and Marketing at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Summer starts here. We’re delighted to kick off the Torch Theatre’s 2026 Sunset Cinema season and the school holidays with a free waterside screening of Finding Nemo.
“Then, as the sun goes down, film fans can buy tickets to join us for the ultimate time-travelling adventure, Back to the Future.
“There’s something special about watching a great film by the water, and we’re looking forward to welcoming families, friends and visitors for a day of cinema, community and summer memories at Milford Waterfront.”
Chelsey Gillard, from the Torch Theatre, added: “We’re incredibly pleased to be partnering with Milford Waterfront to offer this special Sunset Cinema screening completely free for our community.
“Watching Finding Nemo on Mackerel Quay is going to be absolutely magical. Bring a deckchair, gather the family and join Nemo, Dory and Marlin for an unforgettable adventure on the big screen.
“Let’s just hope Bruce the shark doesn’t decide to make an appearance. What a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term and kick off the summer holidays.”
Tickets for both screenings should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre booking office.
Further details about events taking place at Milford Waterfront this summer can be found on the Milford Waterfront website.
Photo caption: Families can enjoy a free outdoor screening of Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront on Friday, July 17.
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