Fresh calls have been made by one of Tenby’s county councillors for the Local Authority to act to stop vehicles parking on an access lane that leads up to the seaside town’s cemetery.

County councillor for Tenby’s North ward, Cllr Michael Williams has once again written to Pembrokeshire County Council to request that they look once again at ways of preventing parking take place on the ‘Slippery Back’ route up to the new cemetery, as a high number of vehicles being ditched at the spot daily, has led to disruption for both those visiting to remember loved ones, and funeral directors accessing the site.

The issue has been raised by councillors in Tenby persistently over the past few years, after it was flagged-up that motorists - including a mix of people living or working in the town, along with holidaymakers, were resorting to parking their vehicles along the lane for the day, leading to concerns that an inordinate amount of cars left along the stretch of roadway leading up to the cemetery, would make the route impassable for a funeral cortège.

“I am very aware that you have previously responded when I have reported the congestion in the lane caused by irresponsible parking, but the situation appears to be worse this summer making access very difficult,” stated Cllr Williams in correspondence to PCC’s public realm manager Marc Owen.

“Might I request that the issue is once again looked at. While I am very aware that currently PCC have no way of restricting parking in this area, I think we need to examine the possible change of category of the bridle path or whatever it currently is to allow traffic control,” he added.

PCC’s traffic department has previously suggested that as ‘Slippery Back’ is classed as a Public Bridleway - as such, given its status, the ‘Traffic Team’ are not in a position to consider double yellow lines in this location.

It has been suggested in the past by local councillors, that PCC consider reclassifying the road - since it was back in the 1990s that it was made a bridleway by Dyfed County Council.

The dangers of parking ‘bumper to bumper’ on the hill were highlighted on social media recently too, when one person shared a photo of a car that had slid downhill somewhat into another parked car.

“If you are that hard up for cash that you can’t pay for a parking space in one of the many car parks please be mindful that ‘Slippery Back’ isn’t actually a free car park!” they shared on Facebook.

“You may also end up paying more for the damage to yours and someone else’s vehicles because you parked on wet leaves despite the handbrake being applied. Slippery by name, slippery by nature!”

Another person shared in response: “This inconsiderate parking makes access to Tenby Cemetery very  difficult especially when funerals are taking place. The hearse and following cars cannot pass without problems. A sign at the bottom of Slippery Back and possible fine may help.”