News
NHS advises patients ahead of planned A40 road closure
PATIENTS, staff, and all individuals traveling to Glangwili, Withybush, and Werndale hospitals this weekend are advised to seek alternative routes, avoiding the main A40 through Penblewin.
The trunk road at Ffynnon Woods, west of Llanddewi Velfrey, will be closed from 8 pm on Friday, June 16, and is set to reopen at 5 am on Monday, June 19. This temporary closure allows for the connection between the existing A40 and the new A40 at the tie-in point, a crucial phase of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvements Scheme.

Hywel Dda Health Board urges people to follow the diversion signs that will be in place and allocate additional travel time for their journeys. Traffic management personnel will be stationed at the Whitland and Penblewin roundabout throughout the closure to assist road users.
The health board assures the public that all emergency services, including the NHS, 111 Cymru, and local GP Out-of-Hours services, are well-informed about the diversions and the dedicated emergency vehicle route that will remain operational throughout the closure. Emergency response times within the county are not expected to be adversely affected.
The 26-mile diversion is necessary for engineers to establish the connection between the new section of the A40 and the existing road at the tie-in point, as part of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvements Scheme in Pembrokeshire. The project, led by Griffiths contractors, commenced in the summer of 2021 and is scheduled for completion by autumn 2023.
A spokesperson for the scheme highlighted that the closure has been carefully timed to minimise disruption. He emphasised that due to significant level differences between the old and new A40 sections, a weekend closure is required. To mitigate the impact on local communities, commuters, and the local economy, the closure has been planned outside of the summer holiday season, specifically from June 16 to 19, 2023.
Extensive discussions within the traffic management liaison group, involving key statutory authorities utilising the A40, have taken place. As a result, it was determined that emergency services must maintain a viable route. Therefore, Henllan Lane, situated immediately south of the A40, will also be closed, except for listed residents residing on the lane and emergency service vehicles.
During the closure, all heavy goods vehicles are required to follow the alternative South Wales Trunk Road Agency route via the A4076 and A477.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this temporary road closure and appreciate your cooperation during the improvement works.
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, 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 shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, 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, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (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 yesterday 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.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s 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 next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support 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
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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