The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has confirmed that there are no plans in the next year to review the ban on car parking at a Pembrokeshire beach, after it became car-free back in 2023, as efforts focus on improving accessibility.

Newport Sands/Traeth Mawr became car-free that May; with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority ending parking on the Newport Sands beach after purchasing the land, in response to growing safety concerns.

It said the beach would be a ‘car-free’ zone, with exceptions only allowed for emergency services and essential car users such as the RNLI and coastguards.

A petition was later launched demanding a backtrack, saying an outright ban will have an adverse effect on a wide cross-section of beach users, including disabled visitors.

Later, members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s authority agreed to keep the car-free resolution, along with “actively pursuing options of how to improve access for people living with disability”.

Late in 2024, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s development management committee approved an application by the national park for the demolition and replacement of the existing public convenience block, the creation of an access ramp and steps to south slipway, the erection of a beach wheelchair storage building, and works to the existing car park, including new pay and display machines, at Newport Sands PCNP Car Park, Golf Course Road.

The works include an extra 52 car parking spaces over the 43 currently there, along with an increase in disabled parking spaces.

Following a request for any review on the beach parking, a spokesperson for thr Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: “There are no plans to change the existing parking arrangements at Traeth Mawr and the Authority is investing in the facilities on site to improve visitor services and accessibility.”