News
Parking in Main Street is ‘awful’
PEMBROKE Town Councillors have raised a number of concerns over parking in Main Street.
Councillors agreed that the current situation was awful and expressed concerns about the lack of traffic wardens in the area.
It was also mentioned how parked cars have caused blockages for other vehicles on some occasions.
The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Town Council on Thursday, February 11.
Cllr Clive Collins said: “The parking just above our building has become terrible. When I put this on the agenda I saw someone pull up outside a certain shop at least a foot off the pavement and a couple of minutes later the Silcox bus could not get past.
“I think it is disgusting that people do it. The yellow lines on the curbs say no stopping have become almost invisible so I would like to get those repainted and I would like us to write a letter asking for more warden support.
“I think we should try to get something done so can we have a letter to the county council complaining about the lack of traffic wardens and to re-paint the now, in certain places, almost invisible markings.”
Cllr Rose Blackburn suggested that notices should be put up to tell people that they couldn’t park in the street.
Cllr Jonathan Nutting said: “I got in touch with them last week to say it is very lax, we are not seeing anybody. It is getting awful on Main Street and it has obviously got a lot worse over the last 3-4 months.
“I’ve asked several times for them to re-mark the east end roundabout, it also needs directional arrows so that people follow it. If they could just generally look round town and remark several places.”
Cllr Wyn Jenkins said: “The curb has only been there for five years but that is one of the major problems we’ve got is that the curb keeps the bus off the curb as the bus keeps hitting it.”
Cllr Aden Brinn explained that he had received a complaint from someone in his ward who had been given a ticket despite only being in the chemist for a short time.
Cllr Dennis Evans said: “The changes have come about as a result of air quality meetings that we went to and are part and parcel of trying to improve the air quality and produce car streams going through town without having to stop. The blockage does occur near the town hall by the bus stop so it was a way of trying to move traffic through the town without the build-up of exhausts emissions.”
Cllr Jenkins also suggested that some traffic wardens were only giving people five minutes to park but other members were shocked to hear that and ask for that to be clarified.
Pembroke Mayor, Cllr Pauline Waters added that the traffic lights could be taken away which would create more parking on the other side of the road.
Cllr Jon Harvey said: “We have got an issue on Main Street but people have to cross the road. People will stop but there needs to be a formalised crossing in Main Street. If you are disabled or have children it is appropriate to have a specific point to cross.”
Cllr Nutting said that the Town Council should write to the Highways department in Pembrokeshire County Council to ask if they could look at the amount of time it takes between the buttons being pressed to the lights changing.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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