News
Tenby: Mayor calls for review of pedestrianisation scheme
THE MAYOR of Tenby has called for an urgent review of the town’s summer pedestrianisation initiative, after citing failings that have occurred with the scheme over the 2017 holiday season.
The rules prohibits unauthorised vehicles from entering the town walls between 11am and 5.30pm during the summer, with restrictions in force from July 10 until last Friday (Sept 8), which coincides with the school summer holidays.
The local authority initiated the ban as a trial 2002 and then there was a public consultation in 2006, which was called for by campaigners living within the town’s walls.
Speaking at last Tuesday night’s (Sept 5) meeting of Tenby Town Council, Mayor Cllr. Sue Lane, said that a review of the scheme was needed.
“Now we do not have a town bus, anybody who is not too good on their feet can’t come in!” she said.
“When the scheme was first started, Pembrokeshire County Council had the Park and Ride scheme running to help people into town who had problems with mobility, but now, due to budget cuts and the ‘park and ride’ scheme no longer running as it was, people with ‘blue badges’ living within the town walls now themselves struggle to get in and out.
“These were conditions in place when the scheme started to help look after residents and visitors. People living within the town with ‘blue badges’ were assured they wouldn’t suffer, but it’s no longer working and people can’t get down to areas such as the harbour.
“The county council either have to reinstate the ‘park and ride’ buses, or look at the scheme again, as it can’t possibly work without bus access for people, as those with mobility issues shouldn’t be expected to walk that distance.”
Pembrokeshire County Council said in response that the pedestrianisation scheme has run successfully for a number of years now since the pilot scheme in 2005. The scheme was extended in 2015 so that it now runs for the period commencing the Monday following Long Course Weekend to the Friday preceding Ironman Wales.
Over this period, the Authority said the officers involved in co-ordinating the scheme on the ground have worked hard to ensure it runs well.
A spokesman added: “There continues to be a Park and Ride bus operation that runs from the Salterns car park. This operates on a free-basis, funded collaboratively through contributions from the County Council; the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority; Kiln Park (Bourne Leisure); Tenby Town Council and Tenby Chamber of Trade and Commerce.
“The former North beach service was discontinued in 2014 to reduce vehicle movements within the town and for cost efficiency.
“It is already a complex scheme that has an extensive list of journey exemptions.
“We do not prevent the disabled, nor those with mobility problems, accessing the harbour. If a blue badge holder requires access to that area then staff advise that they are permitted access to drop-off or pick-up a person.
“To date, the Council has received very few observations on the operation of the scheme this year.
“Notwithstanding, the Council is receptive to constructive feedback and welcomes the opportunity to work with partners to review the operation and look at improvements where possible.
“We are already in the process of organising a discussion meeting with Tenby Town Council to review the 2017 pedestrianisation scheme.”
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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