News
Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme will include new section of A487
NEWGALE, a constant victim of extreme weather and rising sea levels, is set for a transformative shift with the latest proposals under the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme.
With an ambitious plan to realign the A487, the local authorities are making concerted efforts to protect vital infrastructure and preserve the coastal community from the growing threats posed by climate change.
Newgale’s vulnerability became alarmingly evident during the severe storms of 2014, when sections of the A487 were flooded and debris from the beach’s shingle bank made the road impassable. Over the years, this stretch has regularly been disrupted by storms, with rising sea levels forecast to exacerbate the issue. According to projections, sea levels may rise by as much as 1.35 metres over the next century.
At the heart of the proposed solution is the realignment of the A487, a major coastal road connecting Haverfordwest with St David’s. The plan, which is estimated to cost £30 million, aims to move the road inland, bypassing the most vulnerable sections near the coastline. Currently, heavy storms cause flooding and frequent deposits of pebbles and shingle onto the road, rendering it dangerous and forcing regular closures.
The coastline at Newgale is eroding due to both natural processes and climate change. The shingle bank that once provided minimal protection is increasingly unstable, with the beach itself narrowing and becoming steeper. Continuing to maintain the current road by clearing pebbles will become more costly and disruptive over time.
“Simply defending the current road is not an option,” says a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council. “Adaptation is our best strategy to manage long-term changes. Climate change isn’t something we can wish away. We must respond proactively to protect both the community and the strategic infrastructure that is vital for the region”.
The Newgale Coastal Adaptation Scheme, first conceptualised following the 2014 storms, has undergone several phases of development. Initially proposed in 2018, the project has evolved significantly over the past five years, navigating numerous challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising construction costs, and input from local stakeholders.
Pembrokeshire County Council, working with infrastructure experts Atkins, has conducted extensive environmental impact assessments and consultations to determine the most viable solution. The Welsh Government’s Roads Review, published earlier this year, gave its backing to the plan, allowing the project to proceed under the Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Fund.
In addition to the realignment of the road, the scheme includes a comprehensive plan to mitigate environmental impacts, ensuring that the biodiversity of the region is preserved, while carbon emissions from construction are minimised. These measures align with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which prioritises long-term environmental sustainability.
Despite widespread support for the scheme, not all community members agree with the proposed solutions. The local group Stand Up for Newgale (STUN) has advocated for an alternative strategy that would reinforce the existing shingle bank. Their plan calls for a 10-12 metre realignment of a portion of the shingle bank seaward, creating an “overwash barrier” to protect the road.
However, experts have expressed concerns that STUN’s proposal would be a short-term fix and may not withstand the increasing frequency of storms and rising sea levels. The shingle bank’s natural movement is difficult to predict, and reinforcement would require continuous and costly maintenance, which could become unsustainable over time.
The scheme is now at a critical juncture, with the Council working to finalise plans and move towards a planning application. The current design is undergoing a “freeze” phase, where the finer details are being ironed out before the next steps, such as securing full funding and proceeding to a public inquiry.
Environmental surveys, traffic impact assessments, and further consultation with local landowners and businesses are ongoing. Pembrokeshire County Council is keen to ensure that all voices are heard through Task and Finish Groups (TFGs), which provide a platform for residents and stakeholders to contribute to the final plan.
If all goes according to plan, construction could begin within the next few years, securing Newgale’s future and ensuring that this essential route connecting Haverfordwest with the St Davids Peninsula remains open.
Crime
Whitland fraudster admits accessing vulnerable woman’s bank account
BRUCE Nankervis, of Flat 3 Farmers Arms, Whitland, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court facing charges of fraud by false representation. The court heard that Nankervis committed the offences in April and May 2023 by accessing the bank account of Angela Chatfield, intending to cause her loss.
On 24th April 2023, 25th April 2023, and 2nd May 2023, he dishonestly accessed Chatfield’s account without her knowledge or permission, taking advantage of his position of trust. Nankervis pleaded guilty to the charges on 28th August 2024.
The magistrates sentenced Nankervis to a suspended custodial period of 24 weeks, with a supervision period of 12 months, citing his flagrant disregard for people and their property and the fact that the offences were committed against a vulnerable person. The sentence was suspended to allow for his rehabilitation, maintain his recently acquired home, and enable him to reconnect with his daughter. He was also ordered to comply with rehabilitation activity requirements for up to 15 days and perform 50 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
Additionally, Nankervis was ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, a £154 surcharge, and £1,484 in compensation to Angela Chatfield. Payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £40 starting from 16th October 2024.
Business
Council denies responsibility for The Range store’s snub of Haverfordwest
THIS week Pembrokeshire County Council has refuted claims circulating on social media that it was responsible for The Range’s decision not to open a store in the former Wilko unit in Haverfordwest.
The rumors, which gained traction on Facebook this week, suggested that the discount retailer pulled out due to issues related to car parking charges in the nearby Perrots Road car park.
A council spokesperson addressed the situation, on Wednesday (Sept 18) telling The Herald: “There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that The Range decided not to take on the former Wilko store in Haverfordwest due to car parking charges in the nearby Perrots Road car park. The Council is unaware of where this rumour has come from.”
This statement comes in response to a flurry of social media activity, where several residents expressed their disappointment and frustration. One user, Stephen Hughes, sparked conversation with a post claiming, “Range wanted to go to Wilko and the council refused free parking at Haverfordwest absolutely shocking.” The post received multiple comments, reflecting the growing frustration among the community.
Chris Wilson said: “The council seemed determined to wreck Haverfordwest,” while Julie McIntosh added, “OMG we will never have them now.”
These sentiments echo a broader dissatisfaction with the current state of the Haverfordwest town centre.
The council, however, has made it clear that The Range’s decision was independent of any car parking policies. “While The Range ultimately decided not to proceed, the Council is currently in detailed discussions with a prospective tenant for the unit and very much hope to have the building brought back into use as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added.
The speculation on social media highlights the ongoing concerns about the town’s retail prospects and the council’s role in facilitating or hindering economic development.
Recent reports indicate that The Range is expanding in the UK, with five new branches opening by Christmas in locations such as Walkden, Cwmbran, Leamington Spa, Chelmsford, and Oswestry.
Additionally, The Range’s parent company, CDS Superstores, has announced plans to reopen up to 300 Wilko stores after acquiring the brand, with five concept stores expected to open by Christmas 2024
Despite Haverfordwest now being off the list, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether the prospective tenant will bring a new chapter to Haverfordwest’s retail scene.
Crime
Parc Prison now much more stable, says Welsh Social Justice Minister
A SOUTH Wales prison where 10 inmates have died this year has made “considerable progress” in its management, according to a Welsh government minister.
Jane Hutt, the Social Justice Minister, stated that HMP Parc in Bridgend, which houses man prisoners from Pembrokeshire, is now “much, much more stable.” The prison, operated by security company G4S, has faced allegations of drug misuse but maintains it has a “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.”
Minister Hutt said she received reassurances from Ian Barrow, who oversees the management of Welsh prisons, that there had been significant improvements at Parc following the appointment of a new director in June.
The minister announced plans to visit Parc later this month alongside the UK government’s prisons minister, Lord Timpson.
Will Styles was appointed as the new director of Parc after Heather Whitehead stepped down. Styles, who has been with G4S for a year managing HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, took over the role following Whitehead’s departure. G4S stated that her immediate exit in August 2023 was “not in response to one single incident.”
Since February, 10 inmates have died at the prison, with at least four of the deaths believed to be drug-related. In June, three prisoners were also hospitalised following disorder at the facility.
South Wales Police reported in March that a synthetic opioid, Nitazene, had been identified in connection with all four drug-related deaths, with another synthetic drug, Spice, also identified in two of the cases. G4S reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs” in response to these findings.
The deaths have sparked protests from the families of inmates who died while in custody. In May, they demonstrated outside the prison, demanding answers from authorities regarding claims of drug misuse within the facility.
At the Social Justice Questions session in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday, Conservative Senedd member Altaf Hussain expressed concerns about healthcare at Parc. In response, Jane Hutt extended her thoughts to the staff and families affected by the “deeply concerning” deaths in custody earlier this year.
Hutt stated that she met Ian Barrow last month and received “reassurances on the progress made at Parc” since the new director’s appointment. “My understanding from that meeting is that Parc has made considerable progress since the spring,” she added. “It’s now much more stable.”
She confirmed her upcoming visit to the prison with Lord Timpson on 30 September.
HMP Parc is one of the UK’s largest category B prisons, housing convicted male adult and young offenders, as well as convicted sex offenders or those awaiting trial for sex offences.
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