A website has been set-up highlighting one of Tenby's longstanding headaches - illegal parking. The site - http://www.parkingintenby.freeuk.com">www.parkingintenby.freeuk.com - features chaotic scenes of a large number of streets in the centre of the town.

It has been compiled by a concerned local resident who wishes to remain anonymous, but says: "There's an old Tenby proverb - if it's a single yellow, you can park, if it's a double yellow, you can double park."

Whilst the site may be intended to help the ongoing parking saga, Inspector Les Clark points out that it doesn't have any practical suggestions to alleviate the problem.

"In one photograph, it shows an officer trying to enforce regulations in the absence of the yellow lines!" he said.

The officer continued: "I currently have one traffic warden post (job share), the holders of which are expected to enforce parking regulations in Tenby, Saundersfoot, Narberth and Kilgetty. With the best will in the world, they can't be everywhere. Police officers are, of course, utilised to enforce parking regulations when available."

Insp. Clark hopes that in the near future parking will be handled by the county council who, because the system will be self-funding, will be able to devote more resources to enforcement in Tenby.

He added: "If I had a website, it would show some of the 6,000 incidents Tenby officers attended last year. It may show some injuries sustained by victims or other consequences of crimes that my officers battle against on a daily basis to ensure that Tenby remains a low crime area.

"I would certainly show photographs of the police officers who twice in the last few weeks have had to risk their lives by entering the sea on the North Beach and harbour in the early hours of the morning to save individuals attempting suicide. Such a website may put parking issues into proper perspective."

County Councillor Michael Williams, who recently voiced concerns over traffic chaos in the town, said the website emphasised the 'ludicrous' situation which presently exists in Tenby.

"What does worry me is the ongoing delay by Pembrokeshire County Council in bringing forward the de-criminalisation of parking in the town," he said.

"Council resolved to do this over a year ago, and still nothing has materialised. The situation in the town is now quite ludicrous; if it were not so dangerous, it would be laughable."

Clr. Williams again raised concerns about the situation between Floral Corner and White Lion Street which has resulted in the double yellow lines not being repainted following an enhancement scheme.

"What worries me is the anarchy that now prevails, in particular along High Street," said Clr. Williams. "Two weeks ago I witnessed a 4x4 parked entirely off the road completely blocking the footpath. This must not be allowed to continue. The council must reinstate the yellow lines there, and until the council takes over the regulating of traffic, the police must enforce the regulations."

Town clerk, Andrew Davies, said that while the town council had no involvement in the website, they were aware of the areas highlighted. "Councillors acknowledge that illegal parking is a problem in the town, leading to increased traffic congestion and, as such, Tenby Town Council continues to work closely with the police and Pembrokeshire County Council to try and resolve the issue."

Meanwhile, Tenby Walled Town Residents Association said they welcomed anything being done to alert the county council to the problems caused by illegal parking.

"TWTRA was recently delighted to be invited to contribute to the discussions concerning a review of parking regulations in Tenby," said vice- chairman, Alistair McKay, who hoped the review would assist enforcement and deter inconsiderate parking.

He continued: "Clearly this issue has recently been brought to a head by the council's failure to promptly replace the yellow lines in High Street following the enhancement works. Tenby already has something of a reputation for chaotic traffic conditions and the problems that have occurred since Christmas can only have reinforced this in the minds of our visitors. Enforcement is not an option if the yellow lines specified by the regulations are not in place.

"This is not just a problem in the centre of Tenby, as the website so graphically shows. Where the ultimate responsibility for Tenby's present parking problems lies is anybody's guess, but I don't think the county council realise the damage that is being done to Tenby's image by allowing the present free-for-all.

"We urgently need a review of the parking regulations, together with effective enforcement to deter illegal parking. Decriminalised parking, with county council employed traffic wardens, seems to be the key to the solution, but still appears to be some way off."

Added TWTRA chairman Richard Walker: "No yellow lines inside a controlled parking zone works well in theory, but without constant efficient enforcement yellow lines are needed. The aesthetics have to wait while the chaos is managed.

The Observer contacted Pembrokeshire County Council for their views on the website, but at the time of going to press, we had not received a reply.