Haverfordwest’s striking £5.7m footbridge has once again become the focus of a heated local argument as county and town councillors square up over whether flagship projects are delivering for residents and traders.
Councillors clash over value and direction
Scott Thorley, a Pembrokeshire county councillor for Milford Hakin, reignited criticism of the town’s direction in a social-media post that blamed a “lack of vision”, paid parking and a failure to understand modern shoppers for Haverfordwest’s woes. His intervention has prompted an equally forceful response from the town’s mayor, Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner.
The debate centres on competing ideas for revitalising the county town. Cllr Thorley argued that Haverfordwest should have pursued a retail-park approach — free parking alongside a cluster of major stores — rather than investing in high-profile public realm works such as the signature bridge. Supporters of the bridge say it has helped to transform the town’s appearance and appeal.
Mayor defends council action and lays out alternatives
Mayor Cllr Thomas-Turner pushed back against the claim that local councillors have been inactive, pointing to a packed programme of activity organised by the town council and a wider piece of work intended to support traders.
“If you mean Haverfordwest Town Council and its councillors, then I’m struggling to understand the point,”
The mayor noted the town council has run more than 27 events this year alone and referenced a 24-page strategic report produced after what he described as 18 months of work. That plan underpins his proposal for Haverfordwest to be a Welsh Government pilot area for the temporary suspension of business rates, aimed at supporting existing traders, attracting new firms and bringing vacant premises back into use while larger regeneration continues.
Concerns remain over empty shops and local economy
Both sides accept there are visible signs of strain in parts of the town centre — empty units, concerns about deprivation and questions over what shoppers now expect from a high street. The dispute highlights a wider tension in local politics between investing in bold public schemes and pursuing measures seen as immediately beneficial to traders, such as parking reform or business-rate relief.
- Critics question whether the bridge delivers clear economic returns for local businesses.
- Supporters argue schemes such as the bridge improve the town’s image and long-term prospects.
- The mayor’s business-rates suspension proposal is designed to protect existing traders and stimulate reoccupation of empty premises.
Huw Murphy, another county councillor involved in the conversation, has joined calls for scrutiny of spending and outcomes, echoing a wider public argument about the effectiveness of recent regeneration projects.
What this means for residents and traders
For Haverfordwest residents, the debate is not only about aesthetics or civic pride. It touches on parking costs, the mix of shops and services in the town centre, opportunities for new businesses and the use of public funds. The mayor’s pilot proposal, if taken up by Welsh Government, would be a tangible change with immediate implications for traders. Conversely, critics say that without addressing parking and the retail offer, footfall will continue to be a problem irrespective of landmark projects.
| Issue | Position highlighted |
|---|---|
| Signature bridge | Seen as transformative by some; contested as poor value by others |
| Business-rates pilot | Proposed by the mayor to support traders and reuse empty premises |
| Parking and retail model | Critics favour retail-park style free parking and anchor stores |
The exchange underlines that decisions over Haverfordwest’s future remain a live political issue. As councillors from different parties and levels of local government press their cases, residents and business owners will be watching to see whether practical measures — from rates relief to parking reform — accompany civic improvements so the town’s revival benefits those who live and work here.
This is an ongoing local discussion about how best to balance long-term regeneration schemes with immediate support for the high street, and it will shape Haverfordwest’s recovery in the months and years ahead.
