The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Transport, Ken Skates AM, is looking into issues surrounding flooding on a road between Tenby and Gumfreston.

Local county councillors recently called for road improvements to be made to a section of the B4318 road, which was once again closed due to flash flooding following heavy rain across the county.

Councillor Michael Williams, who represents Tenby’s North ward, along with his Plaid Cymru colleagues, Clr. Jon Preston (Penally) and Clr. Paul Rapi (Carew), have contacted Pembrokeshire County Council’s head of highways and construction, Darren Thomas, with their concerns.

“My understanding is that the only way to prevent this flooding is to raise the highway. I do understand that this would be a costly matter, but the disruption is considerable with traffic often diverting along the Ridgeway, which is far from an ideal situation given the limitations of that road,” stated Clr. Williams, asking for the matter to be re-examined as a matter of urgency.

Responding, head of highways Mr. Thomas, said that when PCC looked at the matter previously, the cost of a raised embankment would be something in the order of £1.6M at the time and there was also a question-mark over the viability of the scheme at all, because the embankment would displace flood water volume, which would have to be re-provided elsewhere.

Mr. Thomas admitted that as it was difficult to see where any funding was available for a scheme of works at the moment, PCC would be unable to take anything forward at this time.

Local AM Simon Thomas has now brought the matter to the attention of the Welsh Government on behalf of his Plaid Cymru colleagues, with the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Transport Mr. Skates confirming in a response, that he has asked his officials to contact the County Council to discuss the matter.