A call for a strict ban on A-frames and signage boards in Tenby, to prevent them from obstructing the streets of the town, has been called a 'draconian' approach by the town's Chamber of Trade.

At a previous meeting of Tenby Town Council, members discussed what could be done to clampdown on the problem, after they had met with Pembrokeshire County Council's head of streetcare, Marc Owen, and it became apparent to councillors that Tenby seemed to be the only town in the county that had such a large problem with A-frame boards littering the streets of the town.

The majority of councillors agreed that the previous method in dealing with the issue, where businesses had been encouraged to 'self-regulate' their signage, had failed, and that it was perhaps time for the county council to implement a ban on all forms of this signage in Tenby.

Discussing the matter further at Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, the town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies, said that he had received correspondence from Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism who had asked for a softer approach to be taken on the issue as they believed that the 'zero tolerance' method that had been touted would be an 'over-reaction' and a 'draconian' way of dealing with the problem.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown disagreed, though, saying that it was a problem that had been going on for four years and that the Chamber of Trade had been approached to do something about the issue several times, but not improved the problem.

"Business owners are not using any sense on this. Putting signs on walls is not a problem, it's over the paving and over the roads that's the problem," she said.

"I saw a lady in a wheelchair have to go 300 yards out of her way to get onto a pavement recently, as A-boards were causing such a problem," she added.

Clr. Will Rossiter felt that it wasn't worthwhile for councillors to go on a walkabout with members of the Chamber of Trade and the National Parks, as had been suggested, as the town council had already made a decision that it was a matter for the county council's head of streetcare to deal with.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall disagreed and said that a walkabout could be a pragmatic solution in trying to find a way of alleviating the problem in a positive way.

Councillors agreed that, although they did not wish to go on a walkabout as part of the town council, any individuals who wished to join the Chamber of Trade in one, could do so on their own terms.

The town clerk said that local AM Angela Burns had also written to Welsh Government economy minister Edwina Hart to ask for a similar legislation to Manchester to be passed on A-frame signage in Wales.