The problem of signage obstructing pavements and walkways in Tenby is set to be tackled by Pembrokeshire County Council's streetcare department.

In a letter brought before Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday night, the county council's streetcare manager, Mr. Marc Owen, said that the issue of obstructions such as 'A frames' and goods displayed on the public highway, had been ongoing in the town for some years.

The purpose of his latest correspondence was to highlight that general obstruction was still a major issue in and around the walled streets of Tenby and a matter that needed to be resolved.

"As an authority we have a duty to ensure that issues such as obstructions are dealt with and we have tried to highlight this issue by letter drop and meetings," wrote Mr. Owen.

"We have recently received complaints that the general 'A frame' situation has once again escalated, with pavements being blocked, advertising items placed in the carriageway, pedestrians having to dismount the pavement as they are completely blocked and a boat being used as advertising outside one premise!

"This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue," he added.

Responding to the matter, Clr. David Morgan said that he had recently walked up from the town's harbour to the cinema and counted 28 'A frames' along the way.

"It seems the reasonable approach that streetcare officers gave to businesses has not worked, so it's time that they enforced their regulations, as these obstructions are only going to get worse over time," he said.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown told her colleagues that something had to be done before these obstructions caused an accident.

"What happens if someone falls over one of these boards, who's responsible?

"When the pedestrianisation comes in and the café culture is introduced, some people think it entitles them to put even more signage out, but to me that defeats the object of having a nice ambience in the town; all it does is clutter the roads and cheapens the look of the town," she remarked.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall said that he sympathised with businesses who put the boards out in wanting to try and advertise and promote themselves as much as possible to attract custom.

"I think there needs to be some latitude to people trying to help promote their business, but at the same time the level of A frames needs to be discouraged; it's a difficult balance, but it's probably balanced the other way at the moment," he commented.