Obstructions on Saundersfoot’s pavements and public walkways have been highlighted once again to a local county councillor - with concerns raised that pedestrians, wheelchair users, and those supported by assistance dogs are being impeded by the ongoing issue.

Calls for Pembrokeshire County Council to finally clampdown on ‘out of control’ obstructions such as A-Boards and tables and chairs, blocking the footpaths in neighbouring seaside villages Saundersfoot and Tenby, have long been made, but pleas by those affected, and that of local councillors, have continued to fall on deaf ears, with the Local Authority seemingly uninterested in tackling the matter, which becomes particulary problematic during busy holiday periods.

County councillor for Saundersfoot’s south ward, Cllr Williams said: “During November there have been several concerns raised with me, and I want to highlight some of the key issues that residents have brought forward.

“Recently I have been approached by a number of people about the growing presence of A-boards on pavements in different parts of the village.

“For some, these boards are now restricting access, and there is a feeling that parts of Saundersfoot are becoming overrun with signage,“ he continued.

“After speaking with mobility groups and individuals who rely on assisted dogs, I fully understand the difficulties these obstructions create.

“Although I had received the occasional comment about this during the summer, I had not realised just how many boards are being placed out on both the pavements and, in some cases, the public highway.

“I have now reported this to Pembrokeshire County Council’s streetcare team and hope that businesses can be encouraged to place signage in a considerate way that does not impede pedestrians, wheelchair users, pushchairs, or those supported by assistance dogs.

“I am certainly not against signage, only that it must be used responsibly and with awareness of others,” added Cllr Williams.

Issues surrounding such accessibility matters around Tenby for those with mobility needs and families with pushchairs was also flagged-up once again by local councillors ahead of the summer, but no action was taken by Pembrokeshire County Council to rectify the situation.

At a meeting of Tenby Town Council, Cllr Laurence Blackhall told members that this was an ‘age-old frustration’.

“There has been a massive increase in scaffolding, whilst we have also have the age-old problem of A-Boards, where, in some parts of town, things are out of control and you can hardly move for them!” he told his colleagues.

“At times, on busy weekends, the sheer volume of people makes it very difficult to move around town safely.”

Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said that she’d held a meeting with PCC a couple of years ago about A-Boards - but nothing has been done.

“There is no need for all these A-Boards,” she remarked. “There should be one flush to the wall per business but every year we see more and more.

“Pavements are not available for walking on and we have an ageing population who do not want to come into town because they are scared of being knocked over!”