Business

Edwards Bros sale to council completes

Published

3 years ago

January 14, 2023

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has completed the purchase of the assets of Edwards Bros Coaches of Tiers Cross. The move allows the local authority (LA) to “maintain its statutory duty to provide public and school transport” and to reduce costs “as part of an invest to save strategy,” it says.

Conclusion of the deal ends a long-running affair that began in 2021 when “it became clear that the operator was planning to withdraw from the bus market,” PCC continues. At that time, the county had lost five operators in the prior seven years, including Silcox Coaches of Pembroke Dock in 2016.

The potential withdrawal of Edwards Bros Coaches caused concern with the LA that a retendering exercise in a smaller market and with accelerating operational expenditure could have led it to incur “substantial increased costs for the same services.”

Loss of a further operator would have created a “high risk” that others would not be found for all of Edwards Bros’ contracts had it exited the market. That could have forced PCC to bring more work in-house but without suitable facilities to do so. The Edwards purchase includes its operating centre.

Papers from a PCC Cabinet meeting on 10 January 2022 show that at that point, it was paying Edwards Bros a claimed annual sum of “in the region of £900,000” for 23 home-to-school routes and six public services. PCC estimated that retendering would have seem an increase of £300,000 on that.

PCC’s Cabinet backed the acquisition of the Edwards Bros assets at that meeting a year ago. Since then, the LA has undertaken “a huge piece of due diligence.” Completion of the deal came in December 2022. PCC already operates some contracts in-house, which the LA previously said was a practice that had been initiated where “there is no competition, or, in fact, no interest” from commercial operators.

Speaking about the conclusion of the purchase, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said: “We have a statutory duty to provide these important services in as sustainable and cost-effective a way as possible. In this case, that has been to bring these assets in-house.
“Former Edwards Bros staff are now being employed by the council, with management being undertaken by existing officers from within the Transport Department who have the necessary qualification to manage a bus company.
“I would like to thank officers in the council for the hard work done on the due diligence, and the former proprietor of Edwards Bros and his team for reaching this milestone. It is especially poignant for Mr Edwards, given the family run nature of the business over many years.”

Edwards Bros Coaches held an international O-Licence for 34 vehicles, with Robert Edwards and Jayne Edwards as its Directors. That licence is currently under consideration for surrender, according to the Vehicle Operator Licencing Service. In its papers of 10 January 2022, PCC said it was to operate the acquired services under both Section 19 and Section 22 community bus permits.

The business was founded in 1946 as a garage, later moving to operating a private hire car before the arrival of the first mini coach and coach in the 1960s.

It should be noted that Edwards Bros Coaches of Tiers Cross has no connection with any other coach or bus operator in Wales of a similar name, including Edwards Coaches of Llantrisant, which remains in family ownership.

Business

Holiday lets allowed to stay at Narberth dairy farm

Published

17 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep two “alternative” holiday pods sited without permission as a way of diversifying in an uncertain industry has been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Vaynor Farm Ltd sought retrospective permission for the siting of two self-catering holiday accommodation pods at The Cart House, Vaynor Farm, Bethesda, near Narberth as part of a farm diversification enterprise.

It was before committee members as it was recommended for delegated conditional approval by senior officers despite being against the development plan.

Previous retrospective schemes, for two self-catering pods along with an application to retain a shepherd hut accommodation pod at another farm, a part of the Vaynor Farm farm enterprise, were refused in 2023 and 2025, the latter due to “an unjustified and harmful impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside”.

Detailing the current application, an officer report for members said the pods: Vaynor Farm Pod within the garden of The Cart House, and The Paddock Pod, on the edge of a small paddock, were constructed off-site and have been transported to their current locations, with external decking, hot tubs, a barbecue area and car parking provided for each pod.

It added: “A business plan has been submitted with the application, which explains that due to uncertainties associated with dairy farming, the applicant has sought to diversify the farm enterprise to incorporate tourism accommodation.

“The application makes the case that the proposed development represents farm diversification. It is acknowledged that the development has resulted in the provision of an alternative type of holiday accommodation for which it has been demonstrated there is a demand, contributing to the diversity and quality of accommodation available within the county and supporting an existing farm business, with consequent economic and social benefits.

“Evidence has been provided that demonstrates the extent to which the pods have provided income which has been used to support the farm business.

“However, officers consider that should planning permission be granted, a [planning obligation] will be necessary to ensure that the accommodation pods continue to support the farm business and are not separated from it at some future point in time.”

Delegated conditional approval limiting the use and occupation of the self-catering accommodation pods to short term holiday use only was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously backed by committee members.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

15 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):