News

Superfast broadband to take ‘another 18 months’

Published

9 years ago

May 3, 2016

IT’S GOING to take another 18 months to complete the delivery of superfast broadband in Pembrokeshire; the head of Superfast Cymru told a special meeting set up by Simon Hart MP.

About 80 people attended the meeting in Whitland Memorial Hall, which was addressed by Ed Hunt, director of Superfast Cyrmu and Alwen Williams, Director of BT Wales.

“Broadband, or the lack of it, is the number one consumer issue that residents ask me about,” said Mr Hart. “This was an invitation-only event for people who have contacted me in the past about the problem and for community representatives. I think that the numbers speak for themselves.”

Mr Hunt explained that 500KM’s of fibre optic cabling has been laid in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire as part of BTs scheme to bring superfast (24 mbps and above) to 96% of homes.

“There will be a second sweep around Wales after the initial delivery to get to those properties we fail to reach on the first round,” he explained.

However he added that the take up of superfast has been patchy, especially in Carmarthenshire. “Seventy per cent of the constituency has been enabled but the take up is poor, especially in Carmarthenshire,” he said. “Only 12 % are choosing to connect to it in Carmarthenshire and in Pembrokeshire the take up figure is 25%.”

He explained that residents need to check on www.superfast-cymru.com to find out when their nearest cabinet is going to be enabled. If your cabinet has been enabled and your speed is still slow or if the website says your area is ‘in scope’ then you may want to explore other methods of getting broadband such as satellite or wireless, with help from a Welsh Assembly grant, he added.

Concerned residents from communities including Llansteffan, Summerhill, Llandowror, Lampeter Velfrey and East Williamston attended the meeting alongside county councillors, business owners and community council clerks.

Lizzie Lesnianski, clerk to Martletwy Community Council, said: “The website originally told us that we would have superfast in January 2016, that slipped to June, then December and now there is no date, you just keep moving the goalposts on us.”

Other residents, particularly from Meidrim and Lawrenny, criticized the state of the copper wire infrastructure of existing BT lines.

“We would like to have landlines that work reliably and just 0.5mbps of broadband, but there are constant problems with them, it’s galling that you are concentrating on getting superfast to others when we don’t have a basic service” said one Meidrim resident.

Mr Hart told the meeting: “We are all here not just because we don’t get superfast but also because of confusion about whether we will ever get it and if so, when.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day 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.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

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

1 day 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.