Saundersfoot’s county councillors are pleased that work is ‘progressing well’ on efforts to get the coastal path route between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge back open.

A specialist ‘Spider Excavator’ arrived onsite at the end of last month - to ‘climb up’ from the beach onto the path to start clearing the fallen rock, after Pembrokeshire County Council had put forward a temporary prohibition order for the tunnel’s closure to the public.

Cllr Chris Williams commented: “Work has progressed and I feel the weather has certainly helped the contractors onsite.

“There has been a ‘spider’ machine clearing away the recent rock fall and making sure all the fallen debris is removed off site. Access for the excavator has been via the foreshore, which is both a marine environment and an SSSI, with the necessary licences/consents in place.

“This is in advance of the construction of a rock fall protection barrier at the base of the slope. Rock bolts and mesh will be installed to the adjacent section of the cliff by the current contractors, Ibex, once the design is completed.

“At this time it would be unfair to put a timescale on this, however, I acknowledge that PCC are working extremely hard to get this open as soon as possible. Safety will be paramount in their decision.

“It is also pleasing for PCC and the contractors to do additional safety works to last year’s rock fall, while the path is closed,” he added.

Cllr Alec Cormack remarked: “PCC and their specialist contractor, Ibex, are working extremely hard at a reported cost of at least £235,000.

“At this stage the date for reopening the path is still unknown. But, wearing my County Councillor hat, I am optimistic that barring major setbacks, the path will be open for the peak summer season, and hopefully, well before!”