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Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Newgale road scheme proposal report expected by autumn
Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020. In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron following the storms. A public consultation – through agent AtkinsRéalis – was launched earlier this year ahead of a formal council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed. Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, some even saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date. An alternative, cheaper, scheme has been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, proposing a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres seaward leaving an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water. (Image: STUN) In a question, on behalf of Solva Community Council, heard at the July 17 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, community council chair Gareth Chapman said STUN's proposal 'appears to be an under £1m proposal with up to 85 years' lifespan compared to the conservative £40m-plus estimate for the PCC proposal'. The question added: 'PCC's proposal is to counter for road closures that rarely happen and, even then, require little expense to restore the pebble bank. It should also be remembered that on several occasions, flooding at Newgale occurs because the river outlet is blocked preventing water from the valley escaping and not as a result of a high tide or storm. 'It is acknowledged that climate change and coastal issues at Newgale may eventually in many years force a change in the highway arrangements at Newgale but it is felt that all efforts should be made to retain the character of the village and iconic views for as long as possible.' It also asked for the council to 'commit to thoroughly examining the alternative proposal,' and to 'fully take on board the overwhelming public opinion regarding the future of Newgale'. More: Redevelopment of former Pembrokeshire seafront hotel approved More: Warning over 'attacker' seagulls issued for Pembrokeshire seaside resort Responding, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said a full presentation had been given to the local community council earlier this month, adding a number of options had been considered in 2016 and 2017 which were 'ruled out at that stage for a number of reasons' prior to the scheme now mooted. He told members the council had undertaken 'extensive consultation which has all fed into the development of the scheme,' with a full report expected before the autumn prior to a formal planning application. 'Any coastal protection scheme, we believe, would be a multi-million-pound scheme, certainly in excess of the £1m from STUN,' said Cllr Sinnett, adding those proposals would 'only delay the issue for a short period of time, if at all.' He told members a response to the STUN proposals would be included as part of the full pre-application consultation responses, with council representatives agreeing to meet with STUN.
Western Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
£40m-plus Newgale road scheme to come under spotlight
Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020. In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron following the storms. A public consultation - through agent AtkinsRéalis - was launched earlier this year ahead of a formal Pembrokeshire County Council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed and removed, among other works. Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, some even saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date. (Image: STUN) An alternative scheme has been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, who have previously said the public has been misled over the need for the new Newgale bypass. STUN's far cheaper alternative proposes a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres seaward leaving an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water. More: Replacement of deteriorating Pembrokeshire school building backed More: Some people set to be exempt from Pembrokeshire council tax payments More: Haverfordwest houses for homeless will not be used for asylum seekers In a question, on behalf of Solva Community Council, to be heard at the July 17 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, community council chair Gareth Chapman will ask: 'The topic of the road diversion at Newgale has been in the news quite a lot recently and it has become apparent that there has been an alternative scheme proposed by the Newgale Community group STUN. 'This proposal has been demonstrated to Solva Community Council and appears to be an under £1m proposal with up to 85 years lifespan compared to the conservative £40m-plus estimate for the PCC proposal.' (Image: AtkinsRéalis report/Pembrokeshire County Council.) The question says 'hardly anyone wants this major change in Newgale,' adding: 'PCC's proposal is to counter for road closures that rarely happen and, even then, require little expense to restore the pebble bank. It should also be remembered that on several occasions, flooding at Newgale occurs because the river outlet is blocked preventing water from the valley escaping and not as a result of a high tide or storm. 'It is acknowledged that climate change and coastal issues at Newgale may eventually in many years force a change in the highway arrangements at Newgale but it is felt that all efforts should be made to retain the character of the village and iconic views for as long as possible. 'Given the huge amount of public money that is proposed to be spent, and could well be better spent on other more pressing issues, would Pembrokeshire County Council commit to thoroughly examining the alternative proposal as WelTAG [Welsh Government Transport Appraisal Guidance] suggests they should, and also fully take on board the overwhelming public opinion regarding the future of Newgale? 'Secondly if Pembrokeshire County Council have already given this alternative scheme full consideration, will they also commit to providing their written comments on the alternative scheme to Solva Community Council within 14 days of this meeting?' The question will be responded to at the meeting.
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Plans for new road which will bypass flood hit village could cost up to £60m
Plans for new road which will bypass flood hit village could cost up to £60m Pembrokeshire proposals for a road realignment scheme at Newgale, and a far cheaper alternative scheme, are to come under the spotlight at a full council meeting next week Severe flooding at Newgale, Pembrokeshire, in 2014 (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) Proposals for a road realignment scheme in Pembrokeshire are set to be scrutinised at the full council meeting next week. Newgale suffered severe flooding after storms in early 2014 and later during Storm Dennis in 2020. The then Prime Minister David Cameron even visited the area in 2014 following the storms. A public consultation, conducted by agent AtkinsRéalis, was initiated earlier this year. This was in anticipation of a formal application from Pembrokeshire Council to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project. The project involves developing a new inland road section with a bridge over Brandy Brook, approximately 2.3km inland. This would replace the coastal section of the A487 at Newgale that is due to be closed and removed, among other works. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . There have been varied estimates regarding the cost of this scheme, ranging from £20m upwards, with some speculating it could reach as high as £60m. Millions have already been spent on consultation fees. An alternative proposal has been put forward by STUN - Stand Up for Newgale, who have previously claimed that the public has been misled about the necessity for the new Newgale bypass. STUN's much more affordable alternative suggests realigning a section of the shingle bank at Newgale 10-12 metres seaward. This would create an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to catch any pebbles and sea water. Article continues below The proposed new road route for Newgale (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) At the upcoming Pembrokeshire Council meeting on July 17, Gareth Chapman, chair of Solva Community Council, will present a pressing query: "The topic of the road diversion at Newgale has been in the news quite a lot recently and it has become apparent that there has been an alternative scheme proposed by the Newgale Community group STUN." In his question, Mr. Chapman is set to highlight a cheaper and longer-lasting alternative to the council's current plans: "This proposal has been demonstrated to Solva Community Council and appears to be an under £1m proposal with up to 85 years lifespan compared to the conservative £40m-plus estimate for the PCC proposal." The enquiry will indicate the community's opposition to drastic changes, noting: "hardly anyone wants this major change in Newgale," and pointing out flaws in the County Council's project: "PCC's proposal is to counter for road closures that rarely happen and, even then, require little expense to restore the pebble bank. "It should also be remembered that on several occasions, flooding at Newgale occurs because the river outlet is blocked preventing water from the valley escaping and not as a result of a high tide or storm." A visualisation of flooding changes to Newgale over time (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) It will also stress the importance of conserving Newgale's distinctive character and scenery for future generations, emphasising: "It is acknowledged that climate change and coastal issues at Newgale may eventually in many years force a change in the highway arrangements at Newgale but it is felt that all efforts should be made to retain the character of the village and iconic views for as long as possible. "Given the significant amount of public funds that are set to be allocated, which could arguably be better utilised on other more urgent matters, would Pembrokeshire Council commit to thoroughly scrutinising the alternative proposal as suggested by the Welsh Government's Transport Appraisal Guidance, and also fully consider the strong public sentiment regarding the future of Newgale? "Secondly, if Pembrokeshire Council have already given this alternative scheme thorough consideration, will they also pledge to provide their written feedback on the alternative scheme to Solva Community Council within 14 days of this meeting?". Article continues below The question will receive a response during the meeting.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
£40m-plus Newgale road scheme to come under public spotlight
Pembrokeshire proposals for a £40m-plus road realignment scheme at flood-hit Newgale, and a far cheaper alternative scheme, are to come under the spotlight at full council next week. Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020. In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron following the storms. A public consultation - through agent AtkinsRéalis - was launched earlier this year ahead of a formal Pembrokeshire County Council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed and removed, among other works. Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, some even saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date. (Image: STUN) An alternative scheme has been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, who have previously said the public has been misled over the need for the new Newgale bypass. STUN's far cheaper alternative proposes a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres seaward leaving an over-wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water. More: Replacement of deteriorating Pembrokeshire school building backed More: Some people set to be exempt from Pembrokeshire council tax payments More: Haverfordwest houses for homeless will not be used for asylum seekers In a question, on behalf of Solva Community Council, to be heard at the July 17 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, community council chair Gareth Chapman will ask: 'The topic of the road diversion at Newgale has been in the news quite a lot recently and it has become apparent that there has been an alternative scheme proposed by the Newgale Community group STUN. 'This proposal has been demonstrated to Solva Community Council and appears to be an under £1m proposal with up to 85 years lifespan compared to the conservative £40m-plus estimate for the PCC proposal.' (Image: AtkinsRéalis report/Pembrokeshire County Council.) The question says 'hardly anyone wants this major change in Newgale,' adding: 'PCC's proposal is to counter for road closures that rarely happen and, even then, require little expense to restore the pebble bank. It should also be remembered that on several occasions, flooding at Newgale occurs because the river outlet is blocked preventing water from the valley escaping and not as a result of a high tide or storm. 'It is acknowledged that climate change and coastal issues at Newgale may eventually in many years force a change in the highway arrangements at Newgale but it is felt that all efforts should be made to retain the character of the village and iconic views for as long as possible. 'Given the huge amount of public money that is proposed to be spent, and could well be better spent on other more pressing issues, would Pembrokeshire County Council commit to thoroughly examining the alternative proposal as WelTAG [Welsh Government Transport Appraisal Guidance] suggests they should, and also fully take on board the overwhelming public opinion regarding the future of Newgale? 'Secondly if Pembrokeshire County Council have already given this alternative scheme full consideration, will they also commit to providing their written comments on the alternative scheme to Solva Community Council within 14 days of this meeting?' The question will be responded to at the meeting.
Pembrokeshire Herald
11-05-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Petition to stop plans to move A487 coastal road inland
A PETITION calling on Pembrokeshire County Council to halt a proposed road realignment scheme at a coastal village, and instead look at a cheaper alternative scheme, has been launched. A public consultation was recently launched ahead of a formal Pembrokeshire County Council application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Phase 1 of the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project, which would see the development of a new inland section of road with bridge over Brandy Brook some 2.3km inland, to replace the coastal section of A487 at Newgale that will be closed and removed, among other works. Varied claims have been made about the cost of this scheme, from £20m upwards, with some saying it could cost as much as £60m, with millions spent on consultation fees to date. Newgale was hit hard by flooding following storms in early 2014 storms, and later by Storm Dennis in 2020. In 2014 it even saw a visit by the-then Prime Minister David Cameron, as part of a tour of the UK to 'learn lessons' following storms and flooding that year. In 2018, Pembrokeshire County Council's Cabinet backed a recommendation, long-term, for an inland highway link for the A487. A supporting statement through agent AtkinsRéalis says a 2020 report commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council into coastal change at Newgale concluded 'that continued efforts to maintain the shingle ridge as a defence is highly likely to be unsustainable beyond 2035, more realistically by 2030,' adding: 'Early action is required before the road becomes impassable and unsafe.' However, opponents have said the costs associated with the 2014 flooding incident – which they say was a flooding incident rather than the effects of climate change – would cost less for 3,000 years' worth of clear-ups than the new road scheme. An alternative scheme has been proposed by STUN – Stand Up for Newgale, who have accused AtkinsRéalis and Pembrokeshire County Council of misleading the public over the need for the new Newgale bypass. It says that by using photos of 'the only major flood Newgale has ever had,' in 2014, they are 'over-dramatising' and 'using shock tactics' designed 'to scare people into supporting an unnecessary £40-60 million new road, which, if built would cause devastation to Newgale's ecology and local countryside and would be a blight on the iconic Brandy Brook valley through which the new road would pass'. STUN's alternative scheme would, it says, be an 'alternative low-cost solution to counter any threat from the sea that will protect Newgale for at least 85 – 100 years'. STUN's alternative proposes a section of the shingle bank at Newgale be realigned 10-12 metres to the seaward leaving an over wash barrier between it and the A487 to capture any pebbles and sea water. It has also linked the proposed road realignment scheme to a proposed US military DARC Radar Array, which would involve the construction of 27 Deep Space Radars, each 21 metres tall at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy, above Newgale, which it says could not go ahead without the new road in place due to the high levels of lorry traffic DARC's construction and operation would involve. STUN has said: 'Newgale is a jewel in the crown of our tourism rich peninsular, so why is there such determination to waste £60 million of taxpayers money on a completely unnecessary road which would only ever potentially benefit a US military base, and from which the ecology and wildlife of Brandy Brook could never recover?' The council proposals have encountered strong opposition, including local Senedd member Paul Davies MS, who said it was 'ill conceived,' with STUN's alternative less invasive and one that would 'save the council, and local taxpayers, huge amounts of money'. A petition has now been launched opposing the Newgale coastal realignment scheme. It says: 'We believe that the current plan—estimated to cost between £25–£40 million, with consultation fees already exceeding £4 million—requires further scrutiny, transparency, and public engagement. 'At this stage, we call for a thorough consideration of STUN's (Stand up for Newgale) alternative scheme, or at the very least, a pause on current proceedings until all viable options have been fully explored. 'The Brandy Brook Valley is an ecologically sensitive and historically significant landscape. Routing a major road through this area risks irreversible damage to its unique natural character, habitats, and community heritage. 'This is not just a financial concern—it is a matter of protecting our shared environment, ensuring community voices are heard, and making responsible, future-facing decisions for Pembrokeshire. 'We respectfully request that Pembrokeshire County Council takes immediate action to: Pause the current development of the Newgale route. Open a transparent review of all alternative proposals, including STUN's plan. Engage in meaningful consultation with local communities, experts, and stakeholders.' STUN has launched a Crowdfunder aimed at funding its alternative planning application. The Pembrokeshire County Council proposals have been previously costed at £20m. The Pre-application Consultation runs until May 11, with plans available online; comments may be sent to Newgale@ or by post: Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project Team, AtkinsRéalis, Floor 4, West Glamorgan House, 12 Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AD.
