News

£35m A40 improvement to go ahead between Llanddewi Velfrey and Penblewin

Published

8 years ago

June 19, 2018

IMPROVEMENTS to the A40 between Llanddewi Velfrey and Penblewin will go ahead following uncertainty.

Doubts were cast on the long-discussed plans after construction giant, and chosen contractor for the job, Carillion, collapsed earlier this year.

Today (Jun 19), Ken Skates, Cabinet Member for Economy and Transport, wrote to AMs and confirmed that the 35m project will go ahead.

Arup will now be in charge of the project, which will have a 2+1 layout, and £22m of the £35m budget will be funded by the European Union.

The 2+1 layout is similar to improvements made on the A40 at Robeston Wathen, and the A477 between Llanddowror and St Clears.

The project is described on the Welsh Government website: “The A40 between St Clears and Haverfordwest is mostly single carriageway with few places for overtaking. The road has poor visibility and a large number of accesses opening straight onto the road. This means that journey times are poor, and drivers make risky overtaking manoeuvers. During summer traffic volumes can increase by over 30% making these problems worse.

“The A40 runs through Llanddewi Velfrey where there is a 40mph speed limit. The road also splits the community.”

The scheme consists of:

a 2.5km bypass from Bethel Chapel to Ffynnon Wood
2.5km improvements west of Ffynnon Wood
1.4km extra overtaking eastbound
1km extra overtaking westbound

In his letter to AMs, Ken Skates said: “The outline design and detailed environmental impact assessment for the scheme is nearly complete and will very much form the basis of the project taken forward.

“Draft Orders are due to be published towards the end of this year with construction commencing around summer 2019, subject to the statutory process.

“We are currently looking at when these can be delivered alongside other priorities in the National Transport Finance Plan and will develop a programme in due course, although site work is expected to start between 2020 and 2023. EU funding has also been earmarked for these improvements.”

Eluned Morgan AM said: “Since the collapse of Carillion, infrastructure schemes across Wales have been thrown into chaos. I welcome this £50 million investment by the Welsh Government supported by the EU to improve safety and journey times on this important national route.

“The use of a 2+1 scheme as we’ve seen on the A477 will allow for further upgrading in future. With work set to begin next year, I very much hope the residents of Llanddewi Velfrey and the thousands of commuters who use the A40 every day will also welcome this positive development.”

Labour’s councillor in Narberth, Cllr Vic Dennis, said: “The A40 is a vital route for the economic prosperity of our county but I have particularly concerned about safety at the Redstone Cross junction on behalf of the residents of Narberth.

“I have held discussions at County Hall and elsewhere to ensure action is taken on improving safety to prevent any further fatalities at this busy cross roads. I am pleased that the Welsh Government is looking seriously at these concerns and I will continue to lobby for improvements to take place as quickly as possible using the EU funds that have already been earmarked.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.