News

Grim warning on coastal towns’ futures

Published

5 years ago

November 4, 2021

The pattern of climate change that will lead to increased flooding events is already set

A WELSH Government Minister says that Cardiff Bay’s efforts to regenerate town centres will take account of climate change’s impact on their future sustainability.

Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters told BBC Radio Wales’s Sunday Supplement that difficult decisions had to be made about regenerating coastal towns.

Most of Wales’s principal towns and cities are based around the coast or on river basins, and flood maps forecast that many face increased tidal and river flooding over the coming decades.

Mr Waters said: “We want to regenerate town centres. Quite a lot of our town centres are on floodplains.

“Now do we allow development on there – on the one hand dealing with the ‘crying issue’ in front of us of declining town centres, but then think, well, that’s the wrong thing to do.”

The pattern of climate change that will lead to increased flooding events is already set, and plans to tackle it seek only to prevent further and avoidable hazards and loss.

Mr Waters said there was a temptation to say, ‘Well, that’s the government’s problem. What’s the government’s going to do about that?’

However, he continued: “I don’t think that quite works for climate change.

“We all have a responsibility. These are collective decisions we all make – from builders and planners and managers to decision makers in public authority.”

The issues interlock.

The Welsh Government has neither enough existing funding nor access to other funding sources to do everything it wants to preserve along Wales’s coasts.

Moreover, the cost of preserving all communities is prohibitive and attempting to do so would pour good money after bad on a colossal scale.

Active measures to preserve all affected communities are too expensive and represent too poor an economic return.

Earlier this year, the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales produced a revised flood risk map that makes grim reading for many coastal communities in West Wales, particularly Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The new planning policy advice- Technical Advice Note 15 or TAN 15, for short -was released on September 27.

New developments cannot take place in areas at high risk of flooding or coastal erosion.And there is an absolute bar on building key public buildings (for example, schools and medical facilities) in highly vulnerable areas.

Parts of Newport. Cardiff and Swansea are threatened.

Major developments in both Llanelli and Burry Port scheduled for former industrial sites will be in areas at risk of both fluvial and tidal flooding (apart from the risks posed by metals and particulate pollution).

In the meantime, the A487 in Pembrokeshire is already scheduled for relocation due to repeated flooding. Amroth faces being left to the vagaries of extreme weather, and the coast around Saundersfoot will be realigned to dramatic effect. Around the coast, Broad Haven and Little Haven face uncertain futures.

Coastal defences in Ceredigion face being overwhelmed by extreme weather events and, further north, the town of Fairbourne is likely to prove unsustainable.

We asked the Welsh Government what assessment it made of the economic impact of communities’ displacement and lost opportunities due to the combination of rising sea levels and the increasing frequency of extreme weather.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We will continue to support communities at risk of extreme flood events while closely monitoring the evolving evidence of flood risks with local authorities, delivery partners and, most importantly, the people who live and work in these areas.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty in estimating the future costs associated with the impact of climate change, which is why we are prioritising localising jobs for immediate benefits and investing in new economic opportunities associated with delivering net zero.

“Examples of this include incentivising businesses to transition towards a circular economy, where waste is used as a resource, and helping to create jobs in sectors such as clean energy.”

However, for many communities, including iconic areas of Pembrokeshire, such as Lower Town Fishguard and Dale, that activity might be too late to affect their fates.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

5 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

16 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

16 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.