As Pembrokeshire County Council begin consultations to evaluate this year’s trial extension to the summer pedestrianisation scheme in Tenby, many locals and businesses have been asking why the scheme did not take in the Saturday before the Ironman Wales event.

This year’s traffic ban within the town walls started on ythe first Monday after the Long Course Weekend (July 6) and finished the Friday before Ironman Wales (September 11).

“The end date of this year’s trial extension of the pedestrianisation scheme in Tenby was always fixed as Friday, September 11. This was detailed in the information sent out by Pembrokeshire County Council in May,” explained a spokesperson for the county council.

“The reason that the pedestrianisation scheme does not run at the same time as Ironman is that during the scheme, the Belmont Arch is used by residents to access property on Frog St/Paragon/St Mary’s St etc.

“However, the Belmont Arch is accessed from South/St Florence Parade which Ironman close for the Ironkids.

“If the pedestrianisation scheme was in place at this time, there would therefore be no access to that area of town, as residents would be unable to use Tudor Square or the Belmont Arch,” they added.

A consultation on this year’s extended traffic ban is currently underway, and a questionnaire seeking the views of Tenby residents is being distributed by Pembrokeshire County Council for Tenby Town Council and the Chamber of Trade and Tourism.

Residents and businesses should return it to: Pembrokeshire County Council, Marketing, 2D County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

Alternatively the questionnaire is available online at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay

The closing date for responses is Friday, October 16.