News

Snow falls across Pembrokeshire [LIVE UPDATES]

Published

8 years ago

March 2, 2018

Pembroke Main Street: No cars could drive through last night (pic. Herald)

HEAVY SNOWFALL across Pembrokeshire yesterday (Mar 1) has resulted in the county waking up to a white wonderland this morning.

All schools are closed today after shutting early yesterday afternoon and are scheduled to re-open on Monday (Mar 5).

A council spokesperson told the Herald: “Due to the forecast bad weather, all schools in Pembrokeshire are to close from 1 pm today (Thursday, 1st March). They will also be closed tomorrow (Friday, 2nd March) and, it is envisaged, will re-open on Monday (5th March).

“This pre-emptive action has been taken in light of the Met Office forecast of deteriorating weather conditions this afternoon and to avoid unnecessary congestion on the road network.”

The temperature is not expected to rise above freezing all day.

Due to the snow impacting our delivering services, this week’s edition of the Herald is free for all and available to read online.

Milford Haven: Covered in snow last night (pic. Thom James)

MORE SNOW

More snow is falling across the county. Conditions of roads are likely to get worse.

TRAVEL WARNINGS

Pembrokeshire County Council gritting crews have been working non-stop throughout the night to keep the county’s main road network open.

However a section of the ‘mountain road’, the B4329, remains closed as does the B4313 between New Inn and Llanychaer although this is expected to re-open shortly.

Highway crews have been utilising the Council’s fleet of 15 gritting vehicles (fitted with snow ploughs) and two snow blowers to keep main roads open.

Once the primary road network is clear, work will commence on secondary and then minor roads in the county.

The Council has cancelled refuse collection services due today and all schools and main Council buildings remain closed including leisure centres, libraries, day care centres and civic amenity sites.

Darren Thomas, the Council’s Head of Highways and Construction, said that the Authority was prioritising services to those who most required assistance and was working closely with other agencies including health, police, fire and ambulance services.

Snowman: In Tenby (pic. Tenby Island – St Catherines on Facebook)

COUNCIL SWITCHBOARD

Pembrokeshire County Council are only taking emergency calls: “Due to the weather conditions our contact centre are only able to take emergency calls on 0845 6015522”

COUNCIL FIXING BOILERS

Pembrokeshire County Council say they are working on broken boilers: “In the last two days Pembrokeshire County Council has received 407 emergency calls for boiler/heating related problems.

“There were 10 private heating engineers and seven Council plumbers allocated to this work.

“Some 334 cases have either been remedied or, where this was not possible, temporary heating facilities made available.”

ARRIVA CANCEL TRAINS IN SOUTH WALES

Arriva Trains Wales have been cancelled for all South Wales, disrupting many travel plans.

A spokesperson said: “Customers are advised not to attempt to travel on Arriva Trains Wales services for the whole of the South of the network.”

FIRST CYMRU BUS CANCELLATIONS

All First Cymru services are terminated from 6pm.

“A decision has been made to terminate all of our services early this evening#AmmanfordDepot, #Trawscymru #LlanelliDepot & #CarmarthenDepot: Services will be completed & back to the depot by “7.30pm #HaverfordwestDepot: All services will be completed & back to the depot by 6pm

BIN COLLECTIONS CANCELLED

Bin collections have also been cancelled today by Pembrokeshire County Council.

A spokesperson said: “As there was no refuse or recycling collection today, householders are asked to take in any black or orange bags they may have left out. Collection will be arranged for a later date which will be publicised in advance.”

Honeyborough: Sent to us by Katy Alice Buxton

CLINICS CANCELLED

Hywel Dda University Health Board has said that the following clinics are cancelled today:

• Opthalmology, Crymych Health Care Centre, Pembrokeshire
• General Surgery, Mr Beasley, Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen
• Rheumatology, Withybush Hospital, Pembrokeshire

Steve Moore, Chief Executive at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We would like to thank all who have assisted staff and patients today with their travel and we urge everyone to keep safe and warm through this period.”

GAS SUPPLIES

Wales & West Utilities Gas Emergency service have issued a statement: “Yesterday was a significant challenge for us.

“We received an emergency call once every 16 seconds and responded to more than 1000 gas emergencies.

“The majority of these were frozen condensate boiler pipe issues, which is something we cannot help customers with.

“If you have an issue such as this with your gas boiler or any other gas appliance please call a Gas Safe Registered (GSR) Engineer or your gas supplier.

“For a GSR Engineer in your area call 0800 408 5500 or visit gassaferegister.co.uk.

“You can find the contact details of your gas supplier on your bill.

“Our priority is responding to gas emergencies to keep people safe and save lives, and we really appreciate the support of local people to only call the number if it’s an emergency as we work hard to get to those who are most in need.”

COMMUNITY APPEAL

Kayleigh Kitts messaged us on Facebook to share the news of her appeal to help those in local communities.

She said: “Alot have people have offered to help/visit/check on elderly & Vulnerable people tonight and assist with Transport for those who need to get places!!! with the weather conditions we are in! Snow Likely to be here tomorrow!!!The Following People are willing to visit/check on your family & friends who are alone in an area your unable to get to!!! There are also people with 4 X 4’s are offering help to (have seen Posts on here)xx If you can help, pop your name in comments and areas you can cover!!!!”

You can help by visiting her post here.

ST DAVID’S PARADE CANCELLED

A scheduled St David’s Parade tomorrow (Mar 3) has been cancelled.

COASTGUARD HELPING OUT

Fishguard Coastguard have posted this on Facebook:”Two trips were made into Haverfordwest to ensure hospital staff could get in safely, the main roads are passable but side roads in many areas remain dangerous.

“It’s not all cliffs & beaches for us you know.”

Community

Surfers take sewage protest to Broad Haven beach

Published

13 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS took to the sea at Broad Haven today in a colourful protest demanding urgent action over sewage pollution in Welsh waters.

Surfers, paddleboarders, swimmers and families gathered on the beach on Saturday, with banners calling for cleaner seas and an end to pollution incidents affecting rivers and coastal waters.

The protest was part of the Surfers Against Sewage campaign, with demonstrators carrying placards reading “Keep the sea clean”, “Stop the pollution” and “Cut the crap”.

Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell attended the demonstration and made a speech supporting calls for tougher action. He has also recently written to Welsh Water raising concerns about pollution and water quality in the Tenby area.

***Henry Tufnell MP speaking at the protest (Pic: Martin Cavaney / Herald)***

Local community councillor Jeff Tierney, who works on and in the water at Abereiddy, said he fully supported the campaign.

Cllr Tierney said: “As a surfer, local community councillor and someone who works on and in the water at Abereiddy, I fully support the Surfers Against Sewage campaign.

“We are lucky at Abereiddy our water is excellent, but it’s clear the water companies have failed to invest adequately in ageing infrastructure over the past decades, allowing unregulated sewage discharges, poorly maintained drains and outdated treatment systems to become the norm.

“The result is that some of the treatment works are completely overwhelmed with sewage now effectively bypassing the treatment process, resulting in some rivers and coastal areas at times becoming unsafe and hazardous for swimmers, surfers, fishermen and other water users.

***Making a stand: Surfers, swimmers and campaigners gathered at Broad Haven beach to protest over sewage pollution in Welsh waters (Pic: Martin Cavaney / Herald)***

“Clean water should not be viewed as a luxury. It’s essential for public health, tourism, local livelihoods and the environment.

“The more this issue is brought into the public domain to make the public aware and put pressure on Natural Resources Wales to do their job properly, the better.”

Campaigners said the issue is no longer just an environmental concern, but one affecting public health, tourism, local businesses and confidence in Wales’ coastal waters.

Broad Haven, like many Pembrokeshire beaches, is central to the county’s identity and visitor economy.

Saturday’s protest showed the strength of feeling among those who use the sea regularly and believe not enough is being done to protect it.

Health

New NHS regional body raises questions over future hospital services in Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Health bosses promise better joined-up care — but patients will want assurances over Withybush and travel distances

PEMBROKESHIRE patients are likely to be asking what a major NHS shake-up means for the future of hospital services closer to home after a new regional health body formally took over planning across south west Wales.

Health chiefs this week confirmed that regional working has formally transferred from ARCH (A Regional Collaboration for Health) to the South West Wales Regional Joint Committee (RJC), bringing together Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay university health boards under a new leadership structure.

The move is being presented by NHS leaders as a way to improve coordination, reduce waiting times and strengthen specialist healthcare across the region.

Key programmes expected to continue under the new body include cancer care, stroke services, vascular treatment, orthopaedics, pathology and eye care.

But for many in Pembrokeshire, the announcement may trigger familiar concerns about whether “regional working” could eventually mean more services being delivered further east, requiring patients to travel longer distances to Carmarthen or Swansea.

Withybush Hospital remains fiercely valued by local communities, and previous changes to hospital services have often sparked strong public reaction.

For patients in more rural parts of Pembrokeshire — including St Davids, Fishguard, Newport, Crymych and Tenby — access to healthcare can already involve journeys of 40 to 60 miles or more for appointments and treatment.

While health officials insist the new structure is about improving care and making better use of expertise across the region, questions are likely to be asked locally over how Pembrokeshire’s voice will be represented in decisions affecting frontline services.

Among the issues patients may want clarified are whether services currently provided at Withybush could be affected, how travel difficulties for rural communities will be considered, and whether the new regional approach will improve care locally or lead to greater centralisation.

The Regional Joint Committee replaces ARCH, which since 2015 brought together Swansea Bay University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Swansea University to support healthcare innovation and service planning.

Health leaders say the new committee will continue to support research, technology and partnership working, while involving patients and communities in shaping services.

But in here Pembrokeshire, many will this plan weaken Withybush, not strengthen it.

Crime

Man used vulnerable victim’s bank card at Milford Haven Tesco

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been given a suspended prison sentence after using a vulnerable man’s bank card at Tesco Extra in Milford Haven.

Mark Anthony Hambrook, of Keeston, admitted fraud by false representation when he appeared before magistrates.

The court heard that Hambrook dishonestly used the card on April 29, 2025, spending £220.

Magistrates said the offence crossed the custody threshold because it involved a breach of trust, a vulnerable victim, and was committed while Hambrook was on post-sentence supervision.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Hambrook was also ordered to pay £220 compensation, together with a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.