Proposals to lengthen Tenby's pedestrianisation period were discussed again this week, with Pembrokeshire County Council's director transportation writing to tell town councillors that he could see the merit of extending the scheme.

Back in November, town councillors discussed what changes they would like to see made to the resort's pedestrianisation period, if consideration was given to extending the summer scheme, and held talks with the Chamber of Trade and Tourism and the county council's director of transportation, Ian Westley, on a review of the scheme.

The proposals which councillors agreed upon to look at for the scheme included, implementing a trial starting on July 4 continuing up to and including September 14 (to allow for a festival in Tudor Square to celebrate the conclusion of Ironman Wales).

Correspondence received from Mr. Westley at Tuesday night's meeting of the town council, explained that a trial could be implemented under an experimental order which would amend the times/dates contained in the permanent traffic regulation order.

"In conclusion, I can see the merit of extending the scheme and welcome your council's support to review such a proposal. However, there are a few matters to overcome, notably - gauging the wider views of the community and bringing them along with the idea, and the implementation cost of both the trial and a permanent scheme," he wrote.

"The latter in particular is a potential stumbling block. It would be useful to know if the town council would financially support an extended trial, or are aware of whether there is any support from business to sustain a trial," added Mr. Westley.

Responding to the letter, Clr. Mike Evans told his colleagues that next week he would be meeting with the authority's cabinet spokesperson for transportation and major events, Clr. Rob Lewis, and head of highways and construction, Darren Thomas, to discuss the proposals further and in particular costs.

"Pedestrianisation is one of the attractions of Tenby, so we should concentrate on what's positive for the town and what the scheme adds," he remarked.

"I'm keen to highligh that at no time should an extended trial impact on the residents and businesses of the town. Also, the county council don't have to change the order for a trial period, so there should be no extra expense incurred."

Clr. Evans also referred to a recent court victory by residents in Barnet who rebelled against a steep rise in charges for parking permits to force all councils to stop using parking charges as a means to raise revenue.

"Resident permit costs and the like in Tenby could go someway towards the costs of benefiting the community, so I'll be asking where does that revenue go and the money from the increase in car parking charges?" he said, stressing that the potential loss of the town's park and ride scheme, due to the withdrawal of funding from the county council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, should be top of the town council's agenda.

"I'm desperately worried about the park and ride scheme, and what impact it's loss will have on the viability of the town over the pedestrianisation period.

"It will have a detrimental and devastating impact on the prosperity of Tenby, and when there are no vacancies at the multi-storey, will visitors decide to go to other nearby beaches at Saundersfoot and Manorbier for example?

"The park and ride scheme should be operating over Easter and Whitsun, too, not just summer, because of the volume of people that want to visit Tenby.

"Also, this week National Park planning officers have again recommended refusal for the Five Arches car park to remain on a temporary basis, as they don't want to encourage traffic congestion in the town! If it wasn't true, it would be laughable," continued Clr. Evans.

"I'll also be asking, what has the county council done towards the scheme, and in gaining the views of the list of consultees in the town and the wider community, as it's down to them to poll people's views," he added.

Councillors agreed to write to the National Park Authority and the county council's transportation department to request an urgent meeting on the withdrawal of the park and ride funding.