‘Complications’ and concerns from potentially ‘housebound’ residents will see a compromise made around the Saundersfoot and Wisemans Bridge area for this year’s Long Course Weekend cycling leg.

As part of the triathlon, which begins on Friday evening (June 21) with the swim on Tenby’s North Beach; competitors take on the Wales Sportive cycle ride the following day, with full rolling road closures; before Sunday’s marathon closes the event.

However, county councillor for the seaside village’s south ward Cllr Chris Williams, along with fellow local county councillors Alec Cormack and Rhys Jordan have met with race organisers to raise concerns on behalf of local residents and businesses over some of the proposed road closures for Saturday, June 22.

“Over the years we have fully supported this event and are keen to work with Activity Wales on this, but this year we have the added complication of the coastal path being shut between Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall, with the works not planned to finish before July 12,” explained Cllr Williams.

“This would mean the only access would be via the road if you were unable to navigate the difficult top path.

“After talking to residents and businesses in this vicinity and neighbouring communities, it is clear that businesses have clearly struggled since December as a result of the numerous rock falls.

“The proposed plans were to have a full road closure from 08.30am to 4pm, but this would mean that residents in the Wisemans Bridge/Coppet Hall area would be totally housebound!

“While we all fully support events, Councillors Cormack, Jordan and I, felt that we needed to engage with Pembrokeshire Council’s highways department, businesses and the event organisers to look at solutions to the issues that have been raised,” he continued.

“Having talked privately with two main businesses, I fully understand the problems with a full road closure and as councillors we simply couldn’t support a full closure this year.

“Councillor Cormack and I, have met the event organisers Activity Wales to find a suitable resolution for the local residents and businesses.

“Hopefully the new proposal will see cars allowed to travel in the same direction as the cyclists from Merrixton Cross, down through Wisemans Bridge, and Coppet Hall before turning right off Frances Road.

“We feel this is a suitable compromise for all parties and would like to thank PCC, Activity Wales and the businesses for working together on this agreement,” he added.