Community

Crucial changes at three railway crossings in Pembrokeshire

Published

2 years ago

March 22, 2024

Network Rail is making what it describes as crucial changes at three level crossings in Pembrokeshire later this month to improve safety for the community and holidaymakers.

The changes, which will see trains slowing down instead of stopping to avoid confusion, will affect three crossings without barriers on the Pembroke Dock branch line:

Beavers Hill open crossing at Manorbier, between Manorbier and Lamphey stations
Manorbier Newton open crossing at Manorbier, between Manorbier and Lamphey stations
Llanion open crossing near Pembroke Dock station

Trains are currently required to stop on their approach to the crossings, with the driver sounding a horn before proceeding.

But from 31 March, trains will instead approach at a constant speed of 5mph, with the driver sounding the horn as a warning before continuing over the crossing if it is safe to do so.
Crossing users should continue to follow the safety advice below:

Do not attempt to cross if a train is approaching – or is already on – the crossing
Crossing users must give way to any visible trains as they have right of way
If driving a road vehicle, drive to the conditions of the road and control your speed so you can stop in plenty of time if you need to
Always obey the level crossing safety signs and remain vigilant before and during your use of the level crossing

Daniel Jones, Network Rail level crossing manager for the Whitland region, said: “We have identified that the existing practice has resulted in confusion for crossing users.

“Users often assume because the train has stopped and the driver has sounded the horn, that this is an indication for them to cross when it is, in fact, intended as a warning. This has resulted in several close calls between trains and road users.

“The operational changes we are making from 31 March aim to prevent this misunderstanding and improve overall safety at these level crossings.”

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “These operational changes at three level crossings in Pembrokeshire are being made to improve both safety and train performance.

“Ahead of the holiday season, when these crossings are at their busiest, we are not asking people to do anything differently when using them but to continue to obey the safety signs and remain vigilant.”

Community

Local lettings policy helps sustain rural communities and Welsh language

Published

1 hour ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW affordable housing developments in North Pembrokeshire are helping local people remain in their communities while supporting rural schools and the Welsh language.

Since 2022, West Wales Housing Association has completed new social housing schemes at Parc Brynach in Dinas Cross and Golwg y Llan in Eglwyswrw.

A further development, Parc Nantwen in Dinas Cross, is nearing completion, with new tenants expected to move in within weeks.

The homes have been welcomed locally in an area where affordability remains a significant challenge for many residents.

West Wales Housing Association introduced a local lettings policy giving priority to applicants with strong links to Eglwyswrw and Dinas Cross.

For the Parc Nantwen development, applicants from the Dinas, Newport and Bro Gwaun communities were prioritised.

The approach has meant a number of local people have been able to secure homes who may otherwise have lost out to applicants with weaker links to the area.

The policy is also seen as important in communities where the Welsh language remains strong. Eglwyswrw and Dinas are served by Welsh-medium primary education at Ysgol Eglwyswrw and Ysgol Bro Ingli in Newport.

The impact is already being felt. Following the completion of Parc Brynach, pupil numbers at Ysgol Bro Ingli rose from 86 to more than 100.

Newport and Dinas county councillor Huw Murphy praised West Wales Housing Association for working closely with Dinas Community Council on the lettings policy.

Cllr Murphy said: “The recent lettings policy developed by WWHA, following close liaison with Dinas Community Council, has worked well in enabling houses to be allocated to local people with strong links to their community, where in the past they may have lost out to applicants with more tenuous connections.

“The benefit of a robust local lettings policy has resulted in increased pupil numbers at Ysgol Bro Ingli, while also placing a strong emphasis on protecting the Welsh language, which is very much welcomed.

“I hope that any future affordable housing developments will mirror the recent lettings policy implemented in Dinas Cross and serve as a template elsewhere in Pembrokeshire.”

Supporters say the developments are helping young people and families stay in rural Pembrokeshire, supporting village schools and safeguarding the social and linguistic fabric of North Pembrokeshire’s communities at a time when many rural areas face an ageing population.

Community

Dog rescued after multi-agency response in Pembroke Dock

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ALSATIAN dog was rescued in Pembroke Dock after falling down an embankment and becoming trapped near the water’s edge.

Fire crews from Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest were called to the incident near Cleddau Bridge Business Park at 12:41am on Thursday (May 21), following reports that the dog, named Lunar, was unable to climb back to safety.

The rescue involved a multi-agency response, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service working alongside HM Coastguard, the RNLI and Drone Search and Rescue teams.

Lunar was located and safely recovered by the RNLI boat team before being brought back to dry land and reunited with her grateful owners.

A photo released after the rescue shows Lunar, her owners, and members of the teams involved.

Community

New pilot boat Llanion dedicated at emotional Milford Haven ceremony

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Vessel dedicated at Mackerel Quay as Port marks major investment in safety and resilience

MILFORD HAVEN’S new state-of-the-art pilot vessel Llanion has been formally named and dedicated during a ceremony at Mackerel Quay.

The event marked a major milestone for the Port of Milford Haven, which says the vessel reinforces its commitment to safe, efficient and resilient marine operations on the Waterway.

The ceremony brought together civic dignitaries, port representatives, local pupils and members of the maritime community.

Guests included Chaplain Revd Jonathan Brewer, Chaplain Revd Rufus Noy, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards, Andrew Phillips, High Sheriff of Dyfed, and representatives from the Port’s marine team.

Darcey Trueman, Head Prefect at Milford Haven School, formally named the vessel during the ceremony.

She declared: “I name this pilot launch Llanion. May God bless her and all who sail in her.”

Miss Sara Edwards carried out the bottle ceremony, while the dedication and blessing were led by Revd Jonathan Brewer and Revd Rufus Noy.

The service included performances by Milford Haven School Choir, readings from the Book of Psalms, Psalm 23: The Pilots Version, the Lord’s Prayer, and the British and Welsh national anthems.

Step-change in capability

Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, said Llanion represented a major investment in pilotage resilience and operational safety.

He said: “This vessel represents a significant investment in both our absolute commitments to pilotage service resilience and operational safety.

“She sits at the heart of modern pilot boat evolution — combining speed, manoeuvrability and the latest-generation Camarc hull design.

“For our terminal customers, this means confidence that we can continue to respond quickly to their requirements and deliver a safe, efficient and dependable year-round pilotage service.

“Llanion is not just a new vessel, she’s a step-change in capability for the Port.

“She represents the standards we set for ourselves, our commitment to safety, to professionalism, and to doing the job properly, every single time.

“I look forward to seeing Llanion in action and to the role she will play in supporting the safe movement of vessels on the Milford Haven Waterway for many years to come.”

Energy port role

Rebecca Ahern, Head of Commercial and Legal at Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy, one of the Port’s key terminal customers, said the investment strengthened confidence in Milford Haven’s marine operations.

She said: “The Milford Haven Waterway plays a critical role in the UK’s energy system, and safe, dependable marine operations are fundamental to that role.

“This latest investment by the Port further strengthens operational reliability for all terminal users, reinforcing confidence in safe and efficient year-round vessel movements delivered on time and with consistency.

“It supports the long-term capability of the energy cluster here and reflects the consistently high standards of pilotage and marine service on the Waterway.”

Recognising crews

The ceremony also recognised the dedication and expertise of the Port’s launch crews and pilots, whose work underpins the safe movement of vessels in and out of Milford Haven.

The Port said the new vessel would strengthen operational resilience and support its long-term strategic objectives.

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port, handling around 20 per cent of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It supports more than 4,000 jobs and operates as a trust port, with profits retained within the business to maintain and improve navigation, harbour services and port facilities.

Photo caption:

Naming party: Jamie Furlong, Pilot; Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster; Port Chaplain Revd Jonathan Brewer; His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards; Darcey Trueman, Milford Haven School Prefect; Andrew Phillips, High Sheriff of Dyfed; Chris Tambling-Baker, Coxswain; Revd Rufus Noy; and Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, aboard Llanion (Pic: Port of Milford Haven).