## Controversy Surrounds £60m Road Project Meant to Bypass Flood-Prone Pembrokeshire Village
Efforts to address persistent flooding in the picturesque village of Newgale have sparked a fierce debate, as Pembrokeshire Council’s ambitious proposal for a new bypass could cost as much as £60 million. The plan is now set for detailed examination at a full council meeting next week, at a time when alternative suggestions are challenging both the price and necessity of the works.
Newgale’s vulnerability to severe flooding has been graphically highlighted by several major incidents over the past decade. Notably, storms in early 2014 left the area devastated and even prompted a visit from then Prime Minister David Cameron. More recently, Storm Dennis in 2020 caused further extensive disruption, keeping local fears alive and intensifying demands for a lasting solution.
Earlier this year, the council commenced a comprehensive public consultation, partnering with the agency AtkinsRéalis to gather opinions on the future of the A487 coastal road. In its current form, the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project envisions constructing a new 2.3-kilometre stretch of road further inland, complete with a bridge spanning Brandy Brook, and ultimately removing the coastal section most at risk.
While the consultation reflects the council’s commitment to involving communities in the decision-making process, financial aspects have emerged as a major sticking point. Various estimates have been floated regarding the overall cost, with some sources warning the figure could spiral to £60 million. Indeed, millions have already been channelled into planning and consultation, drawing criticism from some quarters.
In the midst of these council-led plans, a grassroots alternative has emerged. The group STUN (Stand Up for Newgale) contends that the extensive and expensive bypass may not be necessary at all. Their proposal is far cheaper, suggesting that a relatively simple realignment of the village’s existing shingle bank, 10–12 metres seawards, could act as an over-wash barrier. This adjustment, they claim, would protect the A487 from pebbles and seawater, potentially extending the road’s lifespan by as much as 85 years—all at a fraction of the council’s projected costs.
This alternative solution is expected to gain prominence at the upcoming council meeting on 17 July, where councillors will debate its merits. Gareth Chapman, chair of Solva Community Council, is scheduled to grill the authority on why the more modest and potentially longer-lasting STUN proposal has not been fully explored. According to Chapman, “hardly anyone wants this major change in Newgale”, raising concerns over both the financial impact and disruption to the unique landscape and character of the area.
Chapman is also expected to highlight a perhaps overlooked issue: that flooding in Newgale is frequently exacerbated not simply by storms or tidal surges, but by blockages in the river outlet, preventing water from draining effectively from the valley. This nuance suggests that significant investment in a bypass could miss the root cause of the village’s predicament.
The preservation of Newgale’s charm and iconic views is also at stake. Critics of the bypass warn that the proposed changes could undermine the village’s appeal for future generations. They argue that, while climate change may eventually require major infrastructural shifts, every possible measure should be taken in the interim to retain what makes Newgale unique.
With a decision at hand, the Council is being urged not only to heed the technical evidence of its consultants but also to listen closely to local residents. Chapman and the Solva Community Council are calling for Pembrokeshire Council to properly assess the STUN alternative, following the Welsh Government’s Transport Appraisal Guidance, and to deliver a written response on the matter within two weeks of the meeting.
The outcome of this debate is likely to have wider implications for the way flood mitigation and public spending decisions are approached across Wales. As officials prepare to weigh the evidence, all eyes will be on Pembrokeshire to see whether value for money, community voice, and heritage can be reconciled in pursuit of a sustainable future for Newgale.