Sir,
On February 13, you kindly published my letter regarding the condition of the access road to Swallowtree Woods.
Readers who use this road will notice, and cannot but fail to enjoy, the now smooth surface that has been laid by G. D. Harries and Son, of Narberth.
I should now like to thank all those people who devoted so much time and effort to arrive at a reasonable solution to a complex problem of ownership, responsibility and maintenance. Swallowtree residents, and the formation of a Residents' Association, together with Swallowtree Gardens Leisure Park, Hean Castle Estate and Cwmwennol Country House Hotel combined to propose and agree a plan for proportional payment to cover the costs of repair on an entirely without prejudice basis.
The access road falls within two council wards, namely, from the bridge to the stream is in the St. Issell's ward, and from the stream inwards and onwards is in St. Mary-out-Liberty.
Both Clr. Rosemary Hayes and Clr. Carol Cavill have helped gather information in the quest to establish ownership. In particular, Clr. Cavill provided the catalyst and proved to be a valuable source of local knowledge.
I trust this account of what actually happened to facilitate the access road repairs also expands and clarifies your report in the Observer on March 21, which stated 'that a meeting had taken place and it was decided that the residents would pay for the access road to be upgraded'.
Such a concise report of necessity omits detail and cannot be expected to acknowledge that collective support and good sense have prevailed, and I trust my comments redress the balance.
Finally, may I add my personal thanks to all who have contributed to repairs, and especially to Maureen and Alan Shepherd for providing the considerable amount of administrative support.
Roger Cryer,
Springfield House,
Swallowtree Woods,
Saundersfoot.