Tenby Civic Society is advocating for year-round pedestrianisation of the Walled Town, which they believe would enhance the seaside resort’s ‘relaxed character’.

The Executive Committee of Tenby Civic Society believe it could be timely for the centre of the town to become a ‘Pedestrian Priority Area’ for 365 days of the year.

Tenby’s annual pedestrianisation scheme [which is run by Pembrokeshire County Council] takes place during the summer season, and over the school holidays, starting in July, and running into September.

Each day, between 11am and 5.30pm, parts of the Walled Town become traffic free.

The scheme also creates a 'Café Culture' vibe for restaurants, bars and pubs.

The order introduces varying degrees of control on the movement of vehicles in three areas of the walled town.

The ‘core area’ relates to High Street (from the junction with Crackwell Street to Tudor Square), Tudor Square, Church Street and St Nicholas Lane.

Access for emergency vehicles; the likes of tradesmen with heavy equipment undertaking emergency repairs; delivery of meals on wheels; carers transporting the person receiving care out of or into town; and the collection of litter and refuse are authorised by the Local Authority.

Back in 2006, a public inquiry into the controversial pedestrianisation scheme was held, after campiagners from the group the Tenby Walled Town Residents Association led a fight against it in its form back then, arguing that the access restrictions imposed on residents were ‘too restrictive’, and they sought unfettered access for vehicles, during the hours of the scheme.

Now Tenby Civic Society have had their say on the possibility of the centre of Tenby becoming pedestrianised all-year round, with members believing that movement for pedestrians would be easier.

They also state that as many businesses often fill the narrow seaside town pavements and footpaths with advertising A-boards; and the fact that some businesses appear to have permission to part-fill walkways with chairs and tables all year round, pedestrians are forced to walk in the road more and more anyway.

“With only two roads in and two roads out, the walled town is an ideal location to prioritise pedestrians by reducing the current vehicle speed limit from 20mph to 10mph and making the inside of the walled town a pedestrian priority area,“ said a spokesperson for Tenby Civic Society.

“In the past, Civic Society members were keen on a 20 mph limit and quite a lot wanted a 10mph zone.

“Now the town and its visitors are used to pedestrianisation, a year round pedestrian priority would not interrupt vehicle access into the walled town, as happens with the summer pedestrianisation, yet be closer to that summer welcoming, people friendly ambience.

“The revised Highway Code gives pedestrians more priority e.g. when crossing roads at junctions they have priority over bicycles and vehicles turning in or out of the junctions.

“It is a small area so drivers would not lose much time. Low vehicle speeds reduce the seriousness of accidents to pedestrians; the accident record is already quite good,” they added.