COCKLE RAID CHAOS: 4x4s stuck in mud as four men hit with £36k fines

Four men from Llanelli and Burry Port have been ordered to pay more than £36,000 after being caught illegally gathering cockles from the protected Burry Inlet.

The group drove their 4×4 vehicles more than a kilometre out into the estuary in a bid to collect cockles without permission — but their plan quickly unravelled.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officers swooped on the scene after receiving reports of unlawful activity on June 12, 2025.

When enforcement teams arrived, they discovered Ethan Thomas, Brogan Phillips and Finley Harvey Jones, all from Llanelli, along with Korey Kathrens from Burry Port, in the middle of the estuary.

But the operation turned into a farce when two of the vehicles became stuck in the mud, leaving the group stranded and needing to be towed to safety.

Officers seized a significant haul of cockles along with equipment used in the illegal gathering operation.

Despite denying the charges, all four men were found guilty following a trial at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 23, 2026.

Each man was fined £4,000, ordered to pay a £1,600 victim surcharge and £3,546 in prosecution costs — bringing the total penalty to £9,146 each.

The court heard the men will pay the fines back at a rate of £200 per month.

NRW said the case highlights the serious impact illegal cockle gathering can have on the environment and legitimate fisheries.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West Wales Operations for NRW, said:

“This case highlights the seriousness of illegal cockle gathering, which can damage fragile ecosystems and undermine licensed fisheries operating within the estuary.”

He added: “We welcome the court’s decision and hope it sends a clear message that this type of crime will not be tolerated.”

The Burry Inlet is a tightly regulated shellfishery, with strict rules in place to protect both the environment and the livelihoods of licensed cockle pickers.

Natural Resources Wales say that illegal harvesting not only threatens the delicate ecosystem but also puts lives at risk, with fast-moving tides and treacherous mud making the estuary one of the most dangerous in the region.

The organisation added that this latest case serves as a stark warning to anyone tempted to cash in on the area’s natural resources without permission — you could end up seriously out of pocket.

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BURRY PORT FERRY? Harbour emerges as surprise option in cross-channel plan

Burry Port Harbour has emerged as a surprise potential location for a new cross-channel ferry — despite never previously being part of the discussion.

Until now, plans for a Bristol Channel crossing have focused firmly on Swansea.

But a newly released feasibility report has, for the first time, identified Burry Port as a possible landing site — shifting attention to a harbour that has seen little progress on long-promised regeneration.

First time Burry Port has been suggested

The report — commissioned by Swansea Council — marks the first time Burry Port has been linked to the ferry proposal.

As previously reported in our coverage of how plans for a Swansea ferry crossing gained overwhelming public backing, the focus until now has been entirely on Swansea.

The inclusion of Burry Port represents a significant — and unexpected — shift.

Council yet to respond

Swansea Bay News has approached Carmarthenshire Council to ask whether it has been involved in any discussions around the proposal.

Questions have also been raised about whether the existing Burry Port Harbour masterplan would even allow for a development of this kind, and whether infrastructure upgrades are being considered.

At the time of publication, no response had been received.

Regeneration still stalled

The renewed attention comes against the backdrop of stalled regeneration at the harbour.

Plans to transform the area stretch back more than 20 years, with multiple masterplans failing to deliver meaningful change.

Even more recent investment ambitions — including those outlined in our earlier reporting on plans to overhaul the harbour and lighthouse — have yet to result in large-scale redevelopment.

Harbour’s troubled recent history

Behind the scenes, the harbour itself has faced significant challenges.

Carmarthenshire Council handed over the running of the harbour under a long-term lease in 2018, but the operator later ran into financial difficulty.

In 2023, the marina company entered administration, forcing the council to step in with funding to maintain safe operations before ultimately taking back control of the lease.

The harbour continues to operate, but remains reliant on public funding.

Ongoing cost to taxpayers

Latest figures show the harbour is fully funded by the council, with annual running costs of around £281,000.

That raises further questions about how a major new infrastructure project — such as a ferry terminal — could be delivered and sustained.

Traffic fears already a concern

Any suggestion of a ferry link is also likely to reignite long-standing concerns about traffic in and around Burry Port.

Residents have repeatedly raised issues about congestion on key routes, particularly along the A484 towards Llanelli via Sandy Road.

A ferry operation bringing increased passenger and freight traffic could add further strain to already busy roads.

Calls for wider infrastructure upgrades

The proposal is also likely to intensify calls for major transport improvements in the area.

Among the long-discussed projects is the Gwendraeth Valley link road between Cross Hands and Kidwelly — seen by many as essential if the area is to handle increased traffic.

Without upgrades of that scale, questions remain about whether Burry Port could cope with the demands of a ferry service.

More questions than answers

Despite the headline-grabbing mention, there is little detail on how a ferry operation at Burry Port would actually work.

The harbour is subject to one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, with dramatic shifts in water levels that already pose challenges for marine activity.

Yet beyond a brief reference in the report, there is no explanation of how a regular passenger or vehicle ferry could operate reliably in those conditions.

Outlandish or opportunity?

That lack of detail is likely to leave many questioning whether the idea is realistic — or simply speculative.

While the potential economic boost of a ferry link could be significant, the practical barriers — from tidal constraints to infrastructure and traffic — are considerable.

For a harbour that has struggled to deliver long-promised regeneration, the leap to an international ferry terminal may seem ambitious at best.

A familiar story?

For some in Burry Port, the proposal may feel like another big idea added to a long list of plans that have yet to materialise.

With regeneration schemes dating back decades still largely unrealised, there may be scepticism about whether this latest vision will ever move beyond paper.

What do you think?

For now, the idea remains just that — an early-stage possibility with more questions than answers.

But its inclusion in the report has already sparked debate about the future of Burry Port Harbour.

Is this a bold opportunity to transform the town — or an unrealistic proposal that fails to reflect local realities?

#BurryPortHarbour to be renovated this spring and summer

#BurryPort

£146m Carmarthenshire capital plan includes market demolition, school upgrades and Debenhams delay

Carmarthenshire Council’s cabinet has been told that the £40m transformation of the former Debenhams building in St Catherine’s Walk will require an extra £2m after engineers uncovered a structural issue during construction. The defect was not visible during earlier surveys and only emerged once extensive internal work had begun.

The building, which closed when Debenhams collapsed in 2021, is being turned into a new health, leisure and education hub with support from UK and Welsh Government funding. The council had hoped the site would open in 2026, but the newly identified problem is expected to push the timetable back.

Cllr Alun Lenny, cabinet member for resources, said the setback was unavoidable but insisted the project remained vital for the future of Carmarthen town centre. He said boarded‑up Debenhams stores continued to blight high streets elsewhere and that Carmarthenshire would not allow the same to happen.

Structural issue delays major town centre redevelopment

The council has not yet disclosed the nature of the defect, but a full report is being prepared for councillors and the public. The redevelopment will house community health services, council facilities, a 24‑hour gym, soft play, adventure golf, go‑karting and education space linked to Hywel Dda University Health Board and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Work began in 2024 and the council had originally targeted a 2026 opening. The additional £2m will be used to address the structural issue and keep the project moving.

Llanelli market and multi‑storey car park set for demolition

The capital programme confirms that Llanelli Market and the Murray Street multi‑storey car park above it are scheduled for demolition, with £2m allocated across 2028‑29 and 2029‑30. The market would relocate to Vaughan Street, a proposal that has already prompted concern from traders and opposition councillors.

Swansea Bay News has previously reported on calls for a clearer vision for the town centre and fears that the loss of the market and car park could further weaken footfall.

Former leisure centre to be knocked down

The former Llanelli Leisure Centre in Park Crescent is also earmarked for demolition, with £1.2m set aside for 2026‑27. The building has been empty since the new leisure centre opened and has been discussed as a potential site for Ysgol Dewi Sant, although no final decision has been made.

Investment in schools, roads and the Towy Valley path

The report outlines £5.2m for continued improvements at Ysgol Bryngwyn in Llanelli next year, alongside £12.9m for other school projects over the next five years. This is in addition to £46m already available but unspent.

A further £2.2m will be invested in parking areas, electric vehicle charging points and flood‑mitigation work along the Towy Valley shared‑use path between Carmarthen and Ffairfach, which is nearing completion.

Road repairs will receive £4.5m in 2026‑27, with continued spending on bridges, drainage and street lighting across the county.

Harbour and heritage buildings included in programme

Burry Port Harbour will receive another £1m in 2026‑27, following £1m already committed this year. Kidwelly Town Hall, a Grade II‑listed building, will undergo £1.1m of essential repairs over the next two years.

The council says the five‑year programme will be funded through a mix of Welsh Government grants, borrowing, council reserves and funding that has not yet been identified. The full budget will go before councillors on February 25.

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6 kitesurfers at Burry Port today.

#kitesurfing. #BurryPort

£500k gym deal pumps new life into Llanelli fitness scene

Led by local entrepreneur Ioan Jones, the takeover brings together gyms in Llanelli, Trimsaran and Burry Port, with all sites staying open and memberships, staff and services continuing as normal.

The new Hyve Gym brand promises slick strength equipment, functional fitness zones and a packed timetable of classes — from indoor cycling and group training to conditioning and circuits.

Jones says he’s ready to grow the brand and keep the community at the heart of it: “Buying three gyms at once was a major step. I wanted a legal team who could guide me through every stage — and Peter Lynn and Partners did just that.”

No disruption, no downtime

The deal was wrapped up in just seven weeks, with Peter Lynn and Partners Solicitors handling the legal side — including lease transfers, TUPE staff arrangements and protection of existing memberships.

Greg George, James Lewis Hyndman and Rob Cherry led the negotiations, with funding from the Development Bank of Wales.

George said the team worked fast to keep everything running smoothly: “Each gym had its own lease, so we had to complete three assignments at the same time as the funding drawdown. We made sure the transition was seamless.”

Hyve Gym locations

Llanelli
Sandy Bridge Trade Park, Llanelli SA15 4AX

Burry Port (Express)
WDA Industrial Estate, Burry Port SA16 0NN

Trimsaran
Trimsaran Leisure Centre, Trimsaran SA17 4AA

What’s next for Hyve Gym?

Jones says the focus now is on expanding the timetable, upgrading equipment and building a fitness community that works for everyone — from first‑timers to seasoned lifters.

All three gyms are open with extended hours, accessible layouts and a growing list of classes.

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Burry Port couple offering over-50s free dinners on Christmas Day

People over the age of 50 in Burry Port, Pembrey and surrounding areas who will be alone on Chri…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #Christmas #BurryPort #christmas #ChristmasAppetizes #christmasdesserts #christmasdinner #christmasdinnerrecipes #christmasfood #christmasrecipes #christmassides #InYourAreaCommunity #InYourAreaNews
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2352824/burry-port-couple-offering-over-50s-free-dinners-on-christmas-day/

Burry Port RNLI marks 80th call‑out of the year after kite surfer rescue alert

Kite surfer reported in difficulty near Pembrey

At 3.25pm on Sunday, Milford Haven Coastguard paged Burry Port RNLI to assist a kite surfer thought to be in trouble between Pembrey and Broughton.

The station’s relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat Roy Snewin and D‑Class Williams and Cole were launched immediately, with Tenby’s all‑weather lifeboat also tasked to the area.

Casualty self‑recovered before lifeboats arrived

While crews were en route, the Coastguard confirmed that the casualty had managed to self‑recover and make their way safely ashore.

Burry Port’s Atlantic 85 located and recovered the kite surfer’s equipment before both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

80th launch of 2025

The incident marked the 80th call‑out of the year for Burry Port RNLI, underlining the continued demand on volunteer crews.

A spokesperson said: “A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers and all partner agencies involved. Please always check the weather, tides, and wind direction before heading out on the water. Offshore winds can quickly carry kite surfers, paddle boarders, and other water users out to sea.”

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