News

Mounting rubbish piles on Milford estate: Time for action say residents

Published

1 year ago

August 25, 2024

THINGS are getting worse on the Mount Estate say residents, with no end in sight to the mounting rubbish littering the area.

On Thursday, a worried father contacted The Pembrokeshire Herald, expressing alarm after his young son picked up a hypodermic needle near their home. This distressing incident is just one of many that highlight the deteriorating conditions.

Residents have reported that overflowing rubbish bins and piles of waste have become a common sight, creating an eyesore and posing significant health hazards. The accumulation of waste has led to an increase in vermin, with rats reportedly the size of cats scavenging among the refuse. The stench of decomposing food and the sight of litter scattered across the streets have made living conditions unbearable for many.

One resident shared, “Years ago, the council used to come regularly to clean up the estate, but now the bins are only emptied every three weeks. This has led to confusion over collection schedules, and as a result, many people leave their rubbish bags out on the street, where they are torn apart by seagulls and other animals.”

The situation has escalated to the point where some residents are considering starting a petition to demand action from the local authorities. “We live in small flats with limited space to store waste. The council needs to do something—this is no way for anyone, especially children, to live,” said a frustrated local.

The issue of waste management on the estate has been compounded by the council’s push to enforce recycling. While this is a commendable effort, the lack of proper facilities and space has made it difficult for residents to comply. “Recycling is important, but without the infrastructure to support it, the situation is only getting worse,” added another resident.

Local authorities have been urged to take immediate action to address the growing concerns on the estate. The presence of hazardous waste, like needles, in public areas is particularly alarming and underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to the rubbish issues on Mount Estate.

As we have previously reported: In late 2019, Pembrokeshire introduced a colour-coded kerbside waste recycling system, with coloured different bags for different types of waste. However, some flats and estates in the county were initially exempt from the new, more complicated system, sticking to the previous options of orange recycling bags and black/grey normal waste bags.

In a submitted question to council, Cllr Carey said: “Since the introduction of the kerbside collection policy, the majority of Pembrokeshire residents have done their part to fulfil their end of the deal.

“As far as I am aware, Mount Estate is not required to put the same effort into their recycling as the rest of the county”, Cllr Carey said.

The Local Authority have now obviously made efforts to change that, but will it work?

Pembrokeshire has been named as the best recycling county in the whole of Wales.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman, said: “As part of the roll-out of the final phases of the kerbside sort recycling scheme in Pembrokeshire, the Mount Estate was moved onto the Kerbside Sort Recycling system in March 2024.

“Each household was provided with the appropriate recycling containers, calendars of collections and literature surrounding the system in addition to a campaign of educational door knocking visits by our Environment Advisors to support households with the changes.

“A large number of properties at the Mount Estate, as per the rest of Pembrokeshire, are presenting their waste and recycling correctly which has resulted in Pembrokeshire being one of the top performing recycling authorities in Wales. This is something we are extremely proud of and thankful for.

“However as the image taken the day before collections show there are some isolated areas which are not fully participating in the recycling scheme at present.

“We are continuing to work with the residents and the housing team surrounding their waste and recycling provisions and to ensure appropriate storage facilities are in place for households.

“We are also taking appropriate action when evidence of fly tipping or non-compliance is found.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

33 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

38 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

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

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

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.