TENBY RESIDENTS CALL FOR PARKING REVIEW

There was a strong attendance and large number of apologies at a meeting of Tenby Walled Town Residents Association (TWTRA) which demonstrated the active interest residents have in their town's future. TWTRA proposed to write to Pembrokeshire County Council congratulating them on the extremely high standard of work for the North Beach cliff enhancement, but they also agreed that other areas of the council's responsibility needed to be discussed. Pembrokeshire County Council has announced its intention to 'decriminalise' traffic parking regulations in Tenby and to take over the enforcement from the police. Traffic wardens will then be employed directly by the county council. As 'illegal' parking is common practice in Tenby by residents, shoppers, customers of the pubs and restaurants, and by visitors, it would be a 'hot spot' for any warden to book cars and to swell the county coffers. TWTRA committee members suggested that prior to this implementation a review should be urgently undertaken so they correctly reflect what the authorities want enforced. For example, the possibility of metered parking in Tudor Square for shoppers needs to be considered. The use of single yellow lines to reflect where parking would be permitted outside the working day, the use of 'no loading' regulations where this was felt appropriate and the re-introduction of seasonal yellow lines that were used in Tenby up to four years ago, and still are used in Saundersfoot. It was also felt that if double yellow lines were only used where absolutely necessary, motorists would be more inclined to take notice of them. The 'access only' and '10 am to 4 pm restriction of vehicles over 7.5 tonne' regulations should either be enforced or amended to reflect what is practical. The meeting called for eventual post- decriminalisation parking control to be undertaken by the county council, rather than a specialist contractor. TWTRA agreed to write to the county council and now invites suggestions for inclusion from the public.

New public eyesore

The new CCTV camera post in St. Julian Terrace results in a prime vista being spoilt by a vast industrial-type fitting. It was oversized and utterly at odds with its setting. The association has alerted National Parks to its presence. It transpires that the National Park refused planning permission for the CCTV camera post in February 2005, but, in December, PCC's department of transport and environment delivered the post. At the time, they stated that it was not a CCTV camera-post but a 'lighting column', and, as such, does not require planning permission. TWTRA members noted that this 'lighting column' has a bracket suitable to take a CCTV camera and they called for more sensitivity and respect from PCC for this conservation area. The meeting agreed to seek ways to raise awareness of street clutter generally and to remove it from this and other beauty spots.

Pedestrianisation

The association's policy of asking for unrestricted access for residents during any pedestrianisation scheme was unanimously confirmed, as was the motion to retain the services of traffic expert Allan Mendelsohn for the hearing on February 14 and the Public Inquiry from April 24 to 27. Donations of several hundred pounds towards the association's fighting fund were gratefully received. The association was sending an addendum to their original objection of May 2005 in the light of the experiment last summer and the county council's failure to meet with the association. TWTRA claims that the county council had been negligent in not finding out what the effects of freer access for residents would be, and by not considering the human rights issues raised by their restrictions. TWTRA reminded everyone to re-confirm their objections, in writing, to the Inspectorate before January 27. Members were advised that strong local support at the Public Inquiry hearings would make a difference so members were urged to put the dates in their diaries. Further concerns were raised about the delays that had occurred by having to wait for the Park and Ride bus in Crackwell Street. It was suggested, if this was a permanent feature, that the council should invest in traffic lights to minimise delays and the number of vehicles waiting at High Street or St. Julian Terrace at any one time. TWTRA felt a long-term solution to keeping traffic out of the town walls would be for the county council to re-visit the idea of a multi-storey car park for Butts Field and a tunnel under the railway at The Salterns.

Brother Thomas's Garden

The county council has now asked the association for volunteers to hold the key to lock and unlock the door to Brother Thomas's Garden. However keen residents in the immediate vicinity were to help the council, there was a reluctance to take on this duty as keyholders would have no authority to ask people to leave at lock up time. It was agreed to refer this back to the council in the hope that one of their employees could lock and unlock. Alternatively, the gardens could be left open 24 hours as an experiment. But, the sad fate of the Paragon Garden was given as an example of what could happen to secluded gardens in the town. There was a call for more regular foot patrols by the police to control vandalism.

Enhancement Scheme

It was suggested that some of the bollards that had been erected as part of the enhancement scheme were unnecessary and caused an obstruction to pedestrians. The bollards outside the Folly Farm shop and at Floral Corner were cited as examples.

'Let there be light!'

The issue of the inappropriate modern street lights in Tudor Square and St. Julian Street were brought up by a resident. It was noted that recently, one light had been replaced by a modern light that detracted from the look of the conservation area. It was agreed to write to the county council and National Parks to see if this work could be carried out separately and in advance of the road works.

Refuse Collection

Members called for the council to look at the collection of domestic rubbish within the town. Currently, the one weekly collection within the walls, early on Friday mornings, can be inadequate for holiday-makers who stay in flats with no facilities to store rubbish for a week and then resort to placing bags of domestic rubbish into or near street litter bins. The bins then over-flow and attract sea gulls. A suggestion was made to place signs on the bins to inform visitors of refuse arrangements. The possibility of communal bins, and early evening collections of commercial rubbish were also discussed. TWTRA agreed to ask the county council's environment department to look into the possibility of an additional Monday collection during the season, and also of the possibility of street cleaners officially taking away domestic bags. A call was made for doorstep collections of recyclable material. Holiday-makers are encouraged to re-cycle at home and are often surprised by Tenby's lack of facilities.