News

Council’s tips on driving in winter conditions in Pembrokeshire

Published

5 years ago

December 29, 2020

WITH colder days ahead, Pembrokeshire County Council has issued the following tips to help drivers prepare their vehicles for winter driving and remain safe.

Remember to prepare your vehicle for winter driving before you set off:

· Check anti-freeze levels
· Top up your screen wash ensuring it is a higher concentrate or it will freeze
· Check tyre pressures
· Keep your lights and windows clean

Winter car essentials: keep an emergency kit in your vehicle including:

· Ice scraper and de-icer
· Mobile Phone
· In car charger or power pack
· Sat-Nav, printed map of an unfamiliar route or road atlas
· Torch and spare batteries
· Blanket, First Aid Kit and warning triangle
· Jump leads
· Snow shovel
· Water and snacks

“Now is a good time for motorists to prepare for winter driving,” said Cllr Phil Baker, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure.

“To keep you, your passengers and other road users safe always take extra care when driving in rain, snow or icy conditions. Our tips will help drivers cope better with the various seasonal weather hazards ahead.

“Always clear your windows and mirrors completely of snow and ice before you set off and set off early as you never know what hazards lay ahead on the road.”

“Remember – as drivers you need to adapt your driving to the different conditions.”

Top winter driving tips:

1. Drive defensively; anticipate the road ahead through observing near, middle and far distance.
2. Keep well within the speed limits; drive to the conditions not the speed limit.
3. Avoid excessive steering and cornering at speed, steer smoothly into bends and corners.
4. Avoid excessive braking, brake gently and use low gears to engine brake.
5. Beware of black ice. Black ice is more prevalent early morning and late at night when temperatures are at their lowest. If the vehicle starts to skid, gently lift off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid
6. Avoid overtaking gritting vehicles and snow ploughs, the driver has limited visibility and the road in front of them will be worse than the road behind them.
7. Increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front, stopping distances can increase 10 times that of normal stopping distances.
8. Use second gear when moving off in snow.
9. Select the most suitable gear early when driving up hill, avoids changing gear on the hill and losing momentum.
10. Reduce speed before going downhill, select a low gear and avoid using the brakes.
11. Allow an extra 10 minutes to prepare the car before setting off.
12. Clear snow off of the vehicle before driving off, frozen blocks of snow falling from your vehicle are a hazard to other road users and can slide forward obscuring your visibility.
13. Do not drive off until your windows have fully de-misted and all ice removed.

Crime

Stolen vehicle investigation after late-night crash in Waterston

Published

14 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A VEHICLE involved in a late-night single-vehicle crash in Waterston, Milford Haven, is believed to have been stolen, police have confirmed.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a report of the collision at around 11:55pm on Sunday (May 17).

The vehicle was recovered at approximately 1:15am on Monday (May 18), but nobody was found at the scene.

Following enquiries, police established that the vehicle had reportedly been stolen at some point during Sunday evening.

Officers said enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

News

Labour names Senedd spokesperson team after election defeat

Published

39 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ken Skates says group will focus on holding new Welsh Government to account

INTERIM Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates has unveiled the party’s Senedd spokesperson team following its defeat in the recent election.

Mr Skates will act as interim leader of Welsh Labour and spokesperson for health, care and national security.

He said the Labour group would draw on “extensive experience” while bringing “fresh energy and ideas” to its work in opposition.

The party said its Senedd group was committed to holding the new Welsh Government to account and pushing for practical results for the people of Wales.

Jayne Bryant MS has been appointed spokesperson for housing, communities, public and preventative health, with women’s health also included in her brief.

Mike Hedges MS will cover culture, sport, local government and legislation.

Vikki Howells MS becomes Chief Whip and spokesperson for environment, farming, energy and transport. Her portfolio also includes planning.

Lynne Neagle MS has been named Business Manager and spokesperson for children, education and lifelong learning.

Shav Taj MS will cover employment, equalities and economic transformation, including social partnership.

Huw Thomas MS has been appointed spokesperson for finance, democracy, citizenship and the Welsh language. Regional and city deals will also fall within his brief.

Welsh Labour said Sarah Murphy’s portfolio will be announced when she returns from maternity leave.

A photo call with the Welsh Labour Senedd Group is due to take place in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday (May 19), although no interviews will be available.

News

Welsh Secretary holds first call with new First Minister

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Jo Stevens and Rhun ap Iorwerth discuss poverty, public services, clean energy, steelmaking and economic growth

WELSH Secretary Jo Stevens has held her first call with Wales’ new First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth following the recent Senedd election.

The call took place today, Monday (May 18), with Ms Stevens congratulating Mr ap Iorwerth on Plaid Cymru’s election results and his appointment as First Minister.

The Welsh Secretary said it was important for the UK and Welsh Governments to work constructively together on shared priorities.

Those issues include the cost of living, poverty, public services, economic growth and the delivery of clean energy infrastructure in Wales.

Ms Stevens also raised the importance of collaboration on Welsh steelmaking and the transition at Port Talbot, as well as growth funds, defence and national security.

The conversation follows a call last week between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the new First Minister, during which Mr Starmer also congratulated him on his appointment.

The Prime Minister has offered to meet Mr ap Iorwerth in person in June to discuss shared issues and priorities.