AN APPEAL due to be heard today (Jan 10) at Swansea Crown Court has been adjourned, leaving the appellant and those involved waiting for a new date.

Niall Taylor, from Haven Drive, Milford Haven, was challenging his conviction for driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. The appeal was set to address whether Taylor, whose driving licence had lapsed due to an administrative oversight, remained insured under the terms of his policy.

However, Swansea Crown Court has confirmed that the hearing has been postponed until April due to a lack of available judges to hear the case.

Taylor was originally convicted at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in September 2023. He argues that his insurance policy covered him as a driver entitled to hold a licence despite the lapse in renewal. The delay means his legal battle will now continue into the spring.

Further updates will be provided as the case progresses.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has reported widespread power outages and technical difficulties affecting its operations today (Jan 10).

This morning, the council experienced issues with its website, including problems accessing login facilities. Later, it announced further disruptions, including the inability to receive phone calls or access emails.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the council said: “Due to a power outage, we are experiencing some technical issues with our website and My Account facilities. Our IT teams are working on resolving this as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience.

“Following the power outage this morning, we currently cannot receive phone calls or access emails.

“This is having a further knock-on impact on services such as building maintenance calls. Please be patient while work is ongoing to get the systems back online.”

Technical issues have also been reported across Haverfordwest, adding to the challenges faced in the county.

The council has assured residents that efforts are underway to restore services as quickly as possible.

SENEDD MEMBER Paul Davies and local councillors David Bryan and Di Clements are calling on the Welsh Government to do more to tackle congestion on the Salutation Square roundabout in Haverfordwest. Traffic congestion at the roundabout has been a significant problem for the local community for several years, causing frustration, near accidents and missed and delayed appointments.

Mr Davies has raised the issue in the Senedd Chamber with the First Minister, given that the A4076 is a trunk road and under the responsibility of the Welsh Government. Councillors Bryan and Clements have also been in contact with senior officers at Pembrokeshire County Council to raise the issue and written to Eluned Morgan MS prior to her election as First Minister.

Mr Davies said, “Traffic congestion at Salutation Square roundabout has been a huge problem for several years and it’s time that the Welsh Government stop trying to pass the buck and get a grip of the issue. Local residents are fed up with their concerns being ignored and I had hoped that the First Minister would have understood their concerns, given that her own office is situated a few yards from the roundabout.”

Cllr Bryan said, “Before the new Haverfordwest High School was built, school traffic for Taskers was coming from the west side of town to that school and had no need to pass through the town centre, specifically this traffic island.”

“With the advent of the new school, traffic from all directions has to pass through this traffic island. The result is total congestion from 8.30am to 9am and 3 15pm to 4pm. The general traffic coming home from work starts around 4pm and thus this area is very difficult to get through from 3.15pm till 5.45pm.”

Cllr Clements said, “Many of my constituents have contacted me about the difficulty they are having in exiting from the New Road onto the roundabout due to the continual traffic flow from the A40 into Haverfordwest. Speed is an issue as is sighting. There have been many near misses and accidents over the years and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt again. I am also mindful that with all the regeneration money that is being spent in Haverfordwest currently it’s important that traffic does not snarl up and put people off coming to Haverfordwest in the future.”