Sir,

As we all know, within the last few days the annual Ironman circus has rolled into Tenby and most of South Pembrokeshire bringing excitement and anticipation to competitors and spectators alike. It does, of course, also bring with it anticipated additional income to the area.

Unfortunately, it also brings absolute chaos for those of us who live here. One of our friends purposely goes away on holiday during Ironman week to get some peace and quiet. There are, of course, two sides to every coin, but it appears to only be the side relating to the hype and generated income that receives the attention. No concern appears to be given to the massive road closures and the areas that become no go zones at the drop of a barrier to block the way.

No consideration whatsoever appears to be given to those of us who wish to go about a normal Sunday. The operative word in the last sentence is, of course, the word Sunday. This day is taken by the Christian faith as being the Lord’s Day and the Bible is quite clear about what can and cannot be done on such a day.

But I am an atheist, I hear some of you say. That’s fine, but why should those of us who wish to celebrate Sunday by going to church be denied the enjoyment of this. I can think of nothing more I wish to do on a Sunday than to hear the Word of God and to celebrate this with other likeminded people. The fourth commandment also says that we should keep the Sabbath Day holy.

Fortunately, the church I attend was not affected by the road closures, being just outside the road closure area, but many people from the church and other churches in the area could not attend. At least one person I know could not even get off their driveway. Is this fair?

My wife and I have a seriously disabled son who goes into Park House Court from time to time so that we can all have some respite from the 24-hour care he needs. Because we could not visit him at all on Sunday due to the no go zone on the A477 outside Park House, we were unable to see him at all, causing both him and us distress. Is this fair?

Some staff who work in Park House had to walk a considerable way to complete their shifts. Is this fair?

What about those carers and their clients who need help at home, but are either denied this or have their day totally disorientated because of the local interruption. Is this fair?

I can almost hear some of you saying what an old misery and killjoy I am, but this is certainly not the case. I would love to watch and support the Ironman race, but I will not do so on a Sunday.

I have written to the council previously about this matter. Not only have I never received a reply, but I have not even received the courtesy of an acknowledgement. No doubt the council are more concerned about seeing how much money they can obtain in parking fines from those who crowd into Tenby or from the recently imposed 20p to use a public convenience.

It is amazing that most of the people I have spoken to about Ironman are opposed to the chaos it brings, but then they are locals after all whose opinions do not seem to matter. I for one will not be upset if Ironman never returns to the area.

David Innes,

Pentlepoir