A ‘hazardous’ walkway leading down to Tenby’s harbour area is in danger of producing a horror story, say local councillors, if urgent works are not carried out.

Known as the ‘Dead House Steps’ due to them being situated near to the entrance of the old town mortuary, the walkway, which leads from Crackwell Street overlooking the town’s harbour, is a vital route for members of the RNLI to gain access to the Inshore Lifeboat launch station.

Discussing the poor state of the steps at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that her colleague, Clr. Mrs. Kerri Durham, had put the matter on the agenda again, due to her frustration at this issue remaining a health and safety hazard.

“Something has got to be done at the ‘Dead House Steps’; it’s shocking!” she said.

“I went with my grandchildren down there recently, and the railings are rapidly deteriorating, and coming out of the concrete, and it is so slippery. This is a route that is frequently used by the lifeboat volunteers, so can you imagine how dangerous it is for them to run down.

“If someone from Pembrokeshire County Council came to inspect it on a damp day, they would cordon the area off.

“If one of the lifeboat crew ran down there and fell on a shout out, then there would be two emergencies to deal with!” continued Clr. Mrs. Brown.

Clr. Ben James, who is also an RNLI crew member, told his fellow councillors, that every year, one or two of the lifeboat crew have fallen on the steps.

“It’s a public footpath and also provides an emergency access for the RNLI, so work needs to be done urgently,” agreed Clr. Trevor Hallett.

The Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall, remarked that if fit and able lifeboat crew were struggling on the steps, then that said it all about the poor state of them.

“We need to write to PCC and ask for an immediate inspection and plan of works,” he stated.