Sixty-five per cent of Tenby businesses surveyed would not like a repeat of this summer's walled town pedestrianisation scheme, the town's Commercial Ratepayers Association claimed this week.

Out of 53 businesses polled, 51 replied, giving what the association feels is a 'fair representation' of the views of the local business community within the walled town.

Among the results highlighted by the survey, a comprehensive selection covering not only the pedestrianisation scheme but also other issues relevant to the town, was the fact the 74 per cent of those polled agreed the pedestrianisation from 12 noon to 4 pm was a success for the day visitor.

However, 76 per cent felt it was not successful for the long-term visitor, and 80 per cent felt it was not a success for the local shopper.

Of those surveyed, some 65 per cent did not want a repeat of the experiment, although 20 per cent felt the experiment should be repeated in the same format next year.

Eighty-eight per cent of those surveyed did not like the tables and chairs on pavements during the pedestrianised hours, while 76 per cent felt that pedestrianisation would not be needed if the present traffic regulations were strictly enforced and 94 per cent wanted more police officers to be made available for the town.

The survey also showed that 96 per cent of those surveyed felt that Pembrokeshire County Council should have obtained the views of the business community before proclaiming the experiment a success, as 56 per cent considered if to have been unsuccessful for their business.

Twenty-eight per cent were undecided as to its success, while 14 per cent felt it had helped their business. Two per cent of those surveyed felt it had had no effect at all.

Some 84 per cent also admitted that they did not feel confident in Mr. Huw Roberts, the county council's director of transportation's ability to run any future traffic management schemes based on what they perceived to be his handling of this summer's experiment.

In a broader picture, 95 per cent of walled town businesses surveyed were of the opinion that a supermarket facility in New Hedges would take customers away from not only Tenby, but also Saundersfoot, while 96 per cent could not see people using a park and ride facility at New Hedges to gain access to Tenby.

Mr. Howard Lewis, chairman of the Commercial Ratepayers Association, commented that the survey confirmed his suspicions that the majority of retailers had not found the scheme to be satisfactory in general terms.

"It shows that the lack of access to the walled town was not satisfactory to the majority of people living and working there," he commented.

"In most pedestrianisation schemes, some form of access is maintained and, as it seems likely that the scheme will go ahead next year, we are looking for a less draconian scheme.

"The park and ride scheme was excellent, but the lack of access did cause problems for the majority of retailers, as the exceptionally high response to our survey indicates."

Mr. Lewis added that he was looking forward to meeting with Mr. Roberts today (Friday) and having answers to many of the points raised by the association.