Pembrokeshire County Council’s ‘Active Travel’ team are seeking input into the proposed ‘Active Travel Shared Use Paths’ at Saundersfoot, but members of the public already having their say seem less than impressed with aspects of the project so far!

Supported by Welsh Government Funding, the route forms part of a wider scheme which will eventually link Saundersfoot Station to Tenby.

The Scheme is progressing in two phases - Saundersfoot Marina to Stammers Road (Phase 1) and Stammers Road to Sandy Hill (Phase 2).

The detailed design of Phase 1 is currently underway and the Active Travel team are collecting valuable feedback on scheme design, proposals and any key points that need addressing from those using the area most.

More details of the scheme and a survey for school children and one for residents or visitors are available via DataMap Wales (https://datamap.gov.wales/survey/sandy-hill-road-to-saundersfoot-harbour-residents/)

The deadline for responses is September 22.

Many regular users of the route where work is currently underway, have taken to the Observer’s Facebook page this past few days to share their concerns.

“Driving there daily, as you approach from the village end it’s not clear that there’s a pavement beginning and I do worry that unless there’s some kind of sign or bollard sited there that there will be accidents or near misses when drivers realise too late that the road is further over than they thought,” one person commented.

Another stated: “Nearly crashed there today and have traveled that road every lunch time for 14 years without incident. The idiot who designed this should be made to stand there for a few hours and see how stupid this stretch of road has become.”

Despite the plans seeking to make access safer to the seaside village for pedestrians, they had seemingly made the route more dangerous for motorists, with one person remarking: “Absolutely disgusting the width they have left the road, hedge not cut back on the opposite side, school bus really struggles to get through no thought at all. Made the road really more dangerous than it ever was!”

Saundersfoot South County Councillor Chris Williams said: “It is so important for the community to have safe access to all areas of the village. The Active Travel link is a positive for people’s wellbeing and ensuring that all parts of the village are accessible.”

The scheme proposes to provide a Shared Use Path along Brewery Terrace, and then up Stammers Road.

Planned improvements include - realigning the carriageway, widening the footways to Shared Use Path Standards, improving crossing points and the introduction of zebra crossings at the Marina junction.

Cllr Alec Cormack, County Councillor for Saundersfoot North, said: “Residents who regularly walk and cycle in the area will be able to provide a real insight into what the Active Travel scheme requires and I’d urge as many as possible to take part in the survey.”