Sir,

We were dismayed to read in the Tenby Observer today of possible extension to the pedestrianisation scheme for Tenby next summer.

Having had to live through four weeks of the scheme in August we know first hand the effect it had on the working of the harbour area in general and on the Sailing Club in particular.

We are at the remote end of the walled town area at the bottom of a steep hill. Boating and sailing times are controlled by the tides. We cannot alter the tide times to fit in with the traffic band periods. In the past we would arrange to be dropped off (with all the necessary kit, fuel, food) and then picked up at the end of the boating session.

Our Sunday morning sailing in August became confined to locals living near the harbour. No one from outside the town wanted to wait until 4 pm to go home (and now they want to make this 5 pm!).

We have built up a very strong sailing membership over the years drawn from Tenby and the surrounding area. If vehicle access is limited in July and August (which is the height of our sailing season) from 11 am to 5 pm as reported we would be in danger of losing out-of-town members to other more accessible clubs.

We rely on a large local membership to help stage the many national events we run at Tenby. We would lose the ability to run these events and this would have a big impact on one of the tourist attractions of Tenby. Any postcard of Tenby harbour shows sailing dinghies.

We cannot understand why pedestrianisation has to mean a 100 per cent ban on traffic over the whole area within the town walls. Looe in Cornwall has some pedestrianisation but allows vehicle access to the harbour at all times.

Nothing is gained by banning traffic in Crackwell Street. Why not make it two-way with traffic lights, for use by residents, businesses and harbour users. The scheme proposed by the Tenby Walled Town Residents with access around the perimeter could also alleviate the hardship felt by people living and working within the walls and still retain pedestrianisation for certain central areas.

At present, Tenby is a thriving town with a large proportion of young people living and working locally. I am not sure whether the traffic ban is going to keep them here.

Blake Shaw,

Hon. Secretary,

Tenby Sailing Club,

Pinewood,

Mayfield Drive,

Tenby