3.7.13 AREA 13 - BUDE TO CARDIGAN
3.7.13.1 This area is divided into three sub-areas, Swansea, Cardiff and Milford. The majority of the latter area is one that borders onto CIL jurisdiction. This part has therefore been the subject of joint discussions.
   
3.7.13.2 Swansea
   
3.7.13.2.1 This sub-area covers the Bristol Channel from just West of Hartland Point to Worms Head eastwards to a line drawn between Barry and Watchet. It includes the major headlands of Hartland Point, Bull Point, Nash Point and Worms Head. The indented features of Swansea and Barnstaple Bays, coupled with the headlands provide in the main a radar conspicuous coastline. Swansea Bay has extensive shoals, extending west from its east side, parallel to the main shipping route.
   
3.7.13.2.2 Ground Swell from the Atlantic is encountered, except when easterly winds have prevailed. The effects of this swell are felt mainly on the North shore as far East as Swansea Bay. Tidal stream rates and ranges increase as one proceeds up the Bristol Channel. Typical speeds off Morte Point are 3.2 knts with tidal ranges of 7.8m encountered, compared with a speed of 4.4 knts and a range of 10.2m off the Breaksea Light Float.
   
3.7.13.2.3 The area includes the commercial ports of Minehead, Watchet, Swansea, Port Talbot and Neath Harbour, as well as the harbours of Barnstable and Ilfracombe and other smaller harbours, where fishing and leisure craft activity prevail to varying degrees. Ilfracombe is a focal point for small passenger traffic plying between the mainland and Lundy Island, while Swansea is also a port of call for larger passenger traffic.
   
3.7.13.2.4 Commercial traffic levels within a 10-mile radius of Mumbles Lighthouse comprise some 1792 vessel movements per annum over 57 different routes.
   
3.7.13.3 Cardiff
   
3.7.13.3.1 This sub-area covers the eastern part of the Bristol Channel and the Severn Estuary. The coastline degreases in height east of Nash Point, and east of Hurlstone Point. In general, the coastline is low lying. However, there are occasionally areas of higher coastline with cliffs. It is indented to the south by Bridgewater Bay.
   
3.7.13.3.2 Flat Holm and Steep Holm Islands lie in the approaches to the Severn Estuary. A number of banks and shoals are encountered, together with mud flats. The Bristol Channel in this sub-area narrows from approximately 10 miles wide at the Western end to 2 miles where the River Severn commences. Tidal stream rates are high, reaching a maximum of 8 knts. Tidal ranges increase considerably as one proceeds eastward, reading a maximum of some 12m at the Elbow and N W Elbow Lighted Buoy stations.
   
3.7.13.3.3 In this area, on the north side of the Bristol Channel, lie the deep water ports of Barry, Cardiff and Newport, while on the south side are the Ports of Bristol, Avonmouth and Sharpness Docks, together with the smaller ports of Bridgewater, Chepstow, Barry and Penarth Harbours, and Lydney Docks.
   
3.7.13.3.4 Increased leisure craft activity, as a result of completion of the Cardiff Bay Barrage and provision of additional moorings/ marinas for such craft, has arisen. Commercial traffic levels of some 6886 movements per annum over 101 routes are encountered within a 10-mile radius of Flatholm Lighthouse (see figure 12 below).

Reproduced from Admiralty Chart 1179 by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the hydrographic offices of France and the United Kingdom (www.ukho.gov.uk) NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATON

Figure 12: ShipRoutes overlay for some of the 101 routes identified within 10 nm of Flatholm LH

3.7.13.4 Milford
   
3.7.13.4.1 This sub-area encompasses the Welsh Coast from the Burry Inlet round to Cardigan and includes the major headlands of St Govan's Head, St Ann's Head, St David's Head and Strumble Head. The coastline radar conspicuous, consisting of mainly moderate height cliffs, indented by several bays and inlets, including the Barry Inlet, Carmarthen Bay, Milford Haven, St Brides Bay, and Fishguard Bay. This is an area of numerous off-lying islands and rocks, including Caldey Island, The Smalls, Skokholm, Grassholm, The Bishops and Clerks and Ramsey Island. The area includes the TSS off The Smalls.
   
3.7.13.4.2 Shifting sands are encountered over much of the Burry Inlet and depths are therefore subject to frequent change. The harbours of Burry Port and Llanelli, Tenby and Saundersfoot are mainly used by fishing and leisure craft, as are the Afon Taf and Tywi.
   
3.7.13.4.3 Safe water anchorages are available off Caldey Island and subject to suitable weather conditions, in Rhossili Bay. Milford Haven provides good shelter and a harbour of refuge. The Helwick Sands should be given a wide birth, as Westerly winds against the tide cause heavy seas and the East going tidal stream sets NE towards the sands. An area to be avoided has been established enclosing The Smalls and Grassholm. In addition laden tankers over 10 000GRT should not use the channel between Grassholm and Skomer Island unless moving between St. Brides Bay and Milford Haven.
   
3.7.13.4.4 Milford Haven is the main commercial harbour in this area. The port is used by a large number of vessels, ranging from deep draught vessels laden with oil and gas to small pleasure craft. A car ferry service also operates from Pembroke Dock to Ireland.
   

3.7.13.4.5

 There are some 8 296 commercial vessel movements per annum within a 20-mile radius of St. Ann's Head Lighthouse over 163 routes.
   
3.7.13.4.6 In the vicinity of The Smalls, tidal stream rates vary from 5kts to 3kts. Due to the exposed nature of the coast, tidal races and constricted channels are encountered around Skokholm, Skomer, Grassholm and between The Bishops and Clerks and Ramsey Island. Tiderips, dangerous to small craft, are also encountered near shoals and banks south of Milford Haven and amongst some of the aforementioned Islands. There are some 17 544 commercial vessel movements per annum within a 20-mile radius of Smalls Lighthouse over 400 routes.
   
3.7.13.4.7 From Fishguard Harbour cross channel passenger and cargo traffic operate to Ireland. Small craft and fishing vessels also operate out of the harbour.
   
3.7.13.5 The main AtoN changes proposed for this area are, as follows:-