Sir,

I read with interest the numerous letters and articles in the press following the introduction of civil parking enforcement in Tenby and elsewhere in Pembrokeshire. However, whatever problems are identified, I'm sure they can be solved, needing only a bit of common sense and political will.

I fear that there is a greater threat than CPE for Tenby waiting in the wings that will not be so easily put right. I refer to the plodding advancement of the 'enhancement' of Tudor Square, a scheme that was started way back in February 2004.

The success of the first phase in High Street is questionable. The narrowed road between the Royal Lion and WH Smith has resulted in delivery vehicles and others habitually parking with two wheels on the pavement. And if they don't, traffic snarls up at busy times.

The published plans for an enhanced Tudor Square depict a similar narrow road, albeit with a few parking spaces for delivery vehicles. I predict that this design will result in frequent gridlock when these delivery bays fill up in the day time, or in the evening when the taxis wait for customers. Just imagine the chaos that will ensue during pedestrianisation in the summer when most deliveries are attempted in the two-hour slot between 9 and 11 am.

Apart from the problems caused by parking in High Street, the original road layout in Tudor Square seemed to generally work and benefited the economy of the town. Improvements such as the introduction of chevron parking controlled by short term pay and display tickets was perhaps all that was needed.

I consider the design of the enhancement scheme that is being constructed in Tudor Square is wrong, root and branch, and will cause major problems. Was the county council burying its head in the sand when it turned down calls from the town council and others for a trial to test the new road layout to check it suited the needs of the people of Tenby? Perhaps not proceeding with this design was considered not to be an option by the county council and they would prefer to present to the people of Tenby a fait accompli.

Only time will tell if my worst fears are realised. I doubt that if, as I suspect, this enhancement scheme proves to be unworkable, the county council will spend further money to revert to the original road layout. There will probably then be calls to pedestrianise Tudor Square all-year-round and I predict this will result in the further emptying of the town of shoppers that was started by the way in which civil parking enforcement has been implemented.

Alistair Mackay,

Tenby.