At the recent Tenby Walled Town Residents Association committee meeting, the county council's proposals for enhancement in Tudor Square were discussed.
These proposals were welcomed as a positive step to upgrade a key area of Tenby that has become neglected and an opportunity to put some order into the present traffic management within the walled town throughout the year.
Vice-chairman, Alistair Mackay commented: "While the scheme was warmly welcomed the committee was not convinced that the council had done its homework to make sure that its elements were correctly programmed.
"In particular, the consequences of removing all general parking spaces from Tudor Square have not been fully thought through. The almost indecent haste that the council seem to want to start construction work has not been matched by a desire to advertise and upgrade the alternative parking arrangements.
"The multi-storey remains an unwelcoming space with substandard facilities and poor signs. Enhancement should start here so when the vehicles are displaced from Tudor Square they are met with improved facilities, such as lifts, and a clearly marked welcoming route to the town centre."
The committee also were concerned that control would be needed to ensure that displaced cars do not simply look for parking spaces in other parts of the walled town and they considered a parking policy for the whole of the walled town was needed as part of the enhancement works.
Mr. Mackay went on to explain that the committee were not convinced that the viability of the number of loading and disabled parking bays that were proposed had been demonstrated.
"The council was called on to carry out studies to monitor the existing usage of these prior to construction phase," he said.
"The committee also asked that the council hold a trial to check all the provisions made in the scheme and then make what alterations were deemed necessary to allow for all the uses that the square is put to during day. These would include the uses from in the early morning with the articulated lorries delivering goods to late at night with the queues of taxis waiting for customers," he continued.
"Whilst the committee were impressed by the sympathetic choice of materials, there were some concerns raised, mainly with the inclusion of tree planting in the scheme, the use of concrete paving setts in the road and of how people will manage in practice to drop off or pick up heavy or bulky items."
Mr. Mackay concluded by saying: "The key to the success of any scheme will surely be in its enforcement and that, for whatever reason, is non-existent at present. The association welcomes the council's initiative for what it considered was fundamentally a good scheme and would, as requested, be making a detailed response to the council. It hoped that other representative groups and businesses within the town would be encouraged to also take part in this consultation process."
PLANS GO ON SHOW NEXT WEEK
Plans for the enhancement of Tenby's walled town will be on display in the foyer of the resort's De Valence Pavilion from Monday.
The overall scheme will extend from White Lion Corner mini-roundabout, along High Street and through Tudor Square.
One element, from White Lion Corner to the Crackwell Street junction with High Street, will be taken forward as a demonstration project starting late February/March, and all the work will be done outside the main season.
The seaward side of the footway will be completed, and subject to satisfactory consultation and discussions with property owners and businesses, the other side of the road may be included in this demonstration project.
Said Clr. Brian Hall, Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet member for environment and transportation: "The Tenby growth area steering group has identified this project as a priority and substantial funds have been made available from county council resources to demonstrate our commitment to the project.
"Schemes for the enhancement of Tenby's walled town have been planned many times over the years.
"The aspiration is to create a quality, relaxing, accessible environment, making full use of the space available for pedestrians, improving safety and maintaining a quality setting within which retail opportunities may flourish."
The project will achieve a resurfacing of the area in quality materials and in a manner sympathetic to the historic town. Natural grey flagstones will enhance and not detract from the architecture.
Added Clr. Hall: "We hope to carry on the same theme for the rest of the High Street and into Tudor Square, but the final design is some way off and will be subject to wide consultation."
Seats, lighting and litter bins will be included in the scheme.
PLANS WELCOMED
The enhancement plans were given the thumbs up by members of Tenby Town Council at a special meeting on Wednesday.
Said the town's Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas: "We welcome the plans and now look forward to the work starting on the first stage."
After scrutinising the plans, members raised several matters which they will be bringing to the attention of the county council.
They include future maintenance of the scheme, enforcement of parking and ways to prioritise traffic flow through the narrow streets and the introduction of width and weight restrictions for delivery lorries.
Instead of planting trees on the seaward side of the top of High Street, members suggested maritime-themed sculptures, while they are also asking the county council to look at repositioning signs at White Lion Corner and looking at ways to assist the town council with the erection of their festive lights in that area of High Street.