With Pembrokeshire County Council soon to take control of parking enforcement in the area, a concerned Tenby hotelier expressed fears this week that the new scheme could 'destroy Tenby' .

At Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, a letter was brought before members from Mr. Graham Fry, of the Royal Lion Hotel, on the issue of the decriminalisation of parking in Tenby, which is due to come into effect from February 1 of next year.

"I write with concerns that the county council, particularly in Tenby, will use a sledgehammer to crack a nut and, in doing so, will destroy Tenby as we know it today," stated Mr. Fry.

"Tenby's economy is extremely fragile at present with a downturn in tourism and the recession. Pedestrianisation has already taken its toll and has done untold damage.

"As has been suggested in the past, Tenby needs a 2010 traffic management system, not a 1960 traffic approach.

"You must consult the businesses of the town, not the residents, if you wish Tenby to survive this downturn and recession; Tenby needs a desperate review of its assets," he stressed

Responding to the letter, Clr. David Morgan found the comment referring to 'consulting the businesses and not residents' a "bit arrogant".

"Nearly everyone in the town has yellow lines outside their property; it doesn't just affect businesses," he said. "The recent PACT meeting held at Augustus Place to discuss the matter saw 25 people or so attending from Tenby and it was open to everyone for consultations, residents and businesses alike."

In a further letter brought before the council, which had been received by Clr. Mike Evans, a resident asked for a review of the yellow lines in St. Julian Terrace and other areas across the town, with a view to permitting parking at night.

"I consider that there are areas within this street where parking at night would not cause an obstruction," stated Mr. Alistair Mackay. "This provision will be of great benefit to the residents in this area, especially those who work out of Tenby during the day.

"I am aware that there are also other areas in adjoining streets where parking overnight would not cause an obstruction and parking at this time could be permitted.

"I ask if a 'social impact study' has been carried out ahead of the introduction of the civil parking enforcement to identify the impact it will have on the few residents who still choose to live within the town walls.

"The consequence of further loss of people who choose to live in the Walled Town, for whatever reason, cannot be good for Tenby," added Mr. Mackay.