Tenby's traffic ban scheme looks set for another summer of experiments as the inspector's report into the pedestrianisation public inquiry was released this week.

Following the five-day hearing held at the De Valence in April, Welsh Assembly Government inspector Clive Nield has recommended that a further trial be carried out to assess the implications of providing unfettered access to residential and business properties within the walled town, including the harbour.

In his report, Mr. Nield states that, although there is generally widespread support for the principle of restricting vehicular access to the walled town area during peak summer months, it is the operational details of the scheme that are in dispute.

"The main issue is whether or not the right balance has been struck in the level of exclusion of vehicles and the provision for access to residential and business properties located within the walled town area and to the harbour," he said.

The current scheme, banning vehicles from within the walled town during the months of July and August, between 11 am and 5 pm each day, had been put forward by Pembrokeshire County Council as a permanent order.

However, when this order was advertised in May 2005, 64 letters were submitted to the council, 62 of which represented objections, with the public inquiry being held as a result, Mr. Nield does state, though, that the central core area of the pedestrianisation scheme, comprising of Tudor Square, St. George Street and High Street, should be maintained vehicle-free, with the exception of emergencies.

He suggests that provisions for wider access for residents and businesses should be operated in the secondary areas either side of the central core, one accessible along High Street and Crackwell Street and the other via Belmont Arch.

"It has been alleged that an element of unfettered access has already taken place through the Belmont Arch during recent summers, that it has been tacitly accepted by the county council and the police, and that it has worked successfully," remarked Mr. Nield.

"It seems to give an indication that such a scheme could operate successfully, and the Tenby Walled Town Residents Association and other parties have suggested that it could be introduced without affecting the strict exclusion of all except emergency vehicles from a core area comprising Tudor Square, St. George Street and part of High Street," stated the inspector, adding that on the evidence available to date, such a scheme would be unlikely to lead to an unacceptable increase in traffic or a material change in highway safety risk. He also suggests that the access provisions for the trial be cast as wide as reasonably practicable and that any control mechanisms be as simple and transparent as possible.

In conclusion, Mr. Nield's report states that the current scheme associated with the proposed order would have "significant and harmful" impacts on many residents and businesses within the walled town and harbour, and that on the information available, it is not possible to determine whether the order represents the optimum balance between benefits and detrimental impacts.

"I consider that proper assessment of a scheme offering much wider provisions for access is required and that, without this, it would be unfair to those people affected and contrary to Human Rights legislation to proceed with a permanent order," said Mr. Nield, who also suggests that taxis should be granted permits for unrestricted access. "In my view, the best way to make an assessment would be to carry out a further trial scheme, or several, if necessary, with access provisions cast as wide as reasonably possible, minimisation of the need to seek approval for individual journeys, and maximum transparency and simplification of the procedures.

"There are several options as to how traffic could be managed along Crackwell Street - by convoy, traffic light controls or free two-way flow, and proper assessment of these would further improve the decision-making process," added Mr. Nield.

Following the release of the report, Pembrokeshire County Council have written to the inspector requesting clarification on a number of issues.

"The authority is still considering the report and it will be presented to the next cabinet meeting for discussion," said a spokesperson for the council. Copies of the inspector's report have also been sent to local county councillors, Tenby Town Council and other interested parties.

In view of the fact that the report has been made available to key groups who spoke at the public inquiry, a meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 15, in order for county council to appraise interested parties of the report's contents has now been cancelled.

However, Tenby Town Council have called a meeting, to be chaired by the Mayor and held at the Mayor's Parlour in the De Valence, for this Monday at 5.30 pm, when invited interested parties will be able to clarify their views on the inspector's recommendations before putting their responses to the county council in time for their cabinet meeting on Monday, June 26.

They have also made a copy of the inspector's report available for public viewing in their offices. After receiving the inspector's report, a spokesperson for one of the key groups opposed to the current order, the Tenby Walled Town Residents Association, said: "TWTRA welcomes the county council's decision to promptly release the inspector's full report and recommendations following the public inquiry.

"We welcome the inspector's independent, professional views contained in the report and consider that they vindicate the stance made by TWTRA over the last four years.

"We look forward to continue to working with the county council and hope that the inspector's recommendations are adopted in full by their cabinet on June 26 and that this will result in a pedestrianisation scheme that will benefit the whole of Tenby," they commented.