Disqualified HGV driver arrested after lorry seen driving on wrong side of the road

Off‑duty officer reports lorry “on the wrong side of the road”

Dyfed‑Powys Police said the incident began when an off‑duty officer contacted the Force Communication Centre at around 1am on 29 January. The officer reported seeing a heavy goods vehicle being driven “erratically” on the A40 between Narberth and St Clears, including “on the wrong side of the road on multiple occasions”.

Police said the behaviour posed a “potential risk to other road users”, prompting immediate checks on the vehicle and a deployment by the Roads Policing Unit.

Specialist pursuit tactics prepared as HGV tracked across west Wales

According to the force, officers located the lorry travelling eastbound on the A48 between Carmarthen and Cross Hands. Dyfed‑Powys Police said the priority was the safety of the public and officers, and that specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice was obtained.

Because of the vehicle’s direction of travel, the force said South Wales Police TPAC officers and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) were also brought in to support the operation.

The HGV was kept under “constant observation” as it continued along the A48 and onto the M4, police confirmed.

Lorry stopped in Fforestfach as officers move in

Dyfed‑Powys Police said the vehicle eventually came to a stop at an industrial estate in the Fforestfach area of Swansea, where officers detained the driver.

The force confirmed the 22‑year‑old man was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified and immigration offences. The HGV was seized under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act.

Driver charged and remanded to court

In an update issued the following day, Dyfed‑Powys Police named the driver as Tajinder Singh, of Tudor Road, Southall.

The force said he has been charged with driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle on a road without insurance. He was remanded to appear before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 30 January.

Police urge public to report dangerous driving

Dyfed‑Powys Police said anyone with concerns about dangerous driving should report it, adding that roads policing officers “will take action to detect unsafe driving and prevent serious collisions”.

Did a #SlowWays walk today: NarTen One (Narberth ➡️ Tenby, Pembrokeshire).
Flooding meant a detour, but the scenery was gorgeous and the walk thoroughly enjoyable.

Slow Ways is a brilliant initiative—helping walkers feel confident that routes are safe, accessible, and worth exploring.

Why not take it slow yourself and try a route?

#Walking #Pembrokeshire #NarTen #Wales #Cymru #Cerdded #Tenby #Narberth #DinbychYPysgod #Arberth.

Narberth Castle closure extended again as further safety concerns uncovered

The historic site has been shut on several occasions since June 2023, when a Dangerous Structure report was filed after fallen stonework was discovered. At the time, the council said the castle would only reopen once it was made safe, with conservation officers and structural engineers assessing the damage in consultation with Cadw.

In May this year, the council announced a major programme of conservation and repair works, including stabilisation of the castle’s stone walls using specialist mortar techniques. The project required a full closure of the site, including the public footpath, for 12 weeks. The works were expected to be completed by the end of August 2025, allowing the castle to reopen in time for the autumn.

However, following those repairs, further inspections have revealed additional structural weaknesses. The council says urgent safety measures are now needed, including reinforcement of unstable masonry, removal of hazardous debris, and the installation of protective features to prevent future deterioration.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said:

“We understand the disappointment this extended closure may cause, but the safety of our residents and visitors must come first. These additional works are vital to ensure Narberth Castle remains a safe and accessible landmark for generations to come.”

Local councillor Marc Tierney added:

“Narberth Castle holds deep cultural and historical significance for our community. While the delay is frustrating, we are committed to ensuring the site is properly restored and protected.”

A heritage site under pressure

Narberth Castle, which has links to the medieval tales of the Mabinogion, is one of Pembrokeshire’s most recognisable landmarks. Its grounds are a popular community space, but access has been repeatedly disrupted over the past two years due to safety concerns.

The council says it is working closely with heritage specialists and local stakeholders to ensure the long‑term preservation of the site, and has promised regular updates as the latest phase of works progresses.

While no reopening date has been set, officials insist the measures are essential to safeguard both the castle and the public.

#CllrMarcTierney #CllrRhysSinnett #heritage #Narberth #NarberthCastle #PembrokeshireCouncil #StructuralRepairs

‘Bio Goats’ to tackle overgrown churchyard in new council eco-trial

The trial at St Andrew’s Church in Narberth is part of the council’s drive for more environmentally friendly ways to tackle brambles and overgrowth.

A spokesperson for Narberth Town council said: “Narberth Town Council is continuing its work to enhance the grounds of St Andrew’s Church as part of our ongoing biodiversity and environmental improvement programme.

“To support this, we are trialling a natural and chemical-free method of managing overgrown areas by introducing Bio Goats – an eco-friendly solution for controlling brambles and invasive vegetation. These goats will help clear excess growth around gravestones and across the site, enabling us to implement a longer-term ground management plan.

“The goats are GPS ringfenced to remain within a designated area, and daily welfare checks will be carried out to ensure they are healthy, safe, and well cared for throughout their time on site.

“We kindly ask all visitors to support this initiative by avoiding the goat-grazing area while they are at work, keeping dogs on a lead at all times in the vicinity and ensuring children are supervised and kept a safe distance away.

“We understand that children may be curious and wish to see the goats. However, we respectfully ask that this is discouraged, as human interaction may disturb the animals and interfere with their natural grazing behaviour.”

The goats come from Clynderwen-based ‘Biogoats 2 Rent‘ which has already been used to provide an eco-friendly service for Pembrokeshire County Council, the national park, and for other local churches.

Rather than using collars, the goats are kept in their designated areas using GPS satellite technology, a process recently shown on Amazon’s Clarkson’s Farm, Jeremy Clarkson’s hit farming programme.

#animals #Biogoats #Environment #Farming #Goats #Narberth #NarberthTownCouncil

Major West Wales road to close for three weekends

Pembrokeshire Council have issued a warning to motorists that the A40 between Penblewin roundabout and Robesten Wathen roundabout north of Narberth will close between Friday 21 March and Monday 24 March, between Friday 28 March and Monday 31 March and between Friday 4 April and Monday 7 April.

All closures start on Friday evening at 7pm, with the road reopening at 6am on Monday morning.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Council said: “We ask drivers to follow official diversion routes not local routes. Traffic management personnel will be stationed at Penblewin and Robeston Wathen roundabouts to assist and guide road users.

“All heavy goods vehicles will be required to take the alternative South Wales Trunk Road Agency route, via the A4076 and A477.”

Work to transform the mainly single carriageway A40 between St Clears and Haverfordwest into a dual carriageway began in 2021. Work is due to be complete in April 2025.

(Lead image: Traffic Wales)

#A40 #motoring #Narberth #Pembrokeshire #roadClosure

Police issue warning after spate of burglaries in St Clears, Narberth and Haverfordwest

Police say they are investigating a number of burglaries in the St Clears, Narberth and Haverfordwest areas which were reported on January 22.

It is reported that damage has been caused to the properties and valuable items taken, including cash, jewellery and power tools.

Officers believe these incidents are linked.

Detective Inspector Owen Lock said, “We would like to reassure members of the public that enquiries are ongoing and we’re committed to catching those responsible.

“I would also ask that any suspicious people/activities are reported to the police. Remember, we can’t act on something if we don’t know about it.

“No matter how insignificant it may seem, please report all suspicious activity to police immediately, and don’t assume someone else would have notified us.”

Officers are advising residents and second-home owners to check their vacant properties and to ensure it’s secure and valuables are protectively marked and locked away.

(Lead image: Google Maps)

#burglary #Carmarthenshire #Crime #DyfedPowysPolice #Haverfordwest #Narberth #Pembrokeshire #StClears

Local pretentious restaurant has "Wild garlic preserved in its life cycle" on their menu. What does that even mean?!

They describe themselves as "a Welsh food movement". There's usually only one movement of food I'm interested in.

#Narberth #restaurant #food

Ooh, apparently there was a mini #earthquake around here yesterday morning. 1.6 magnitude so only recorded by seismographs but still... wow 📈
#Narberth #Pembrokeshire #Wales

https://mastodonapp.uk/@newquayweather/110468864489471708