A road closure affecting Tenby’s town centre which comes into effect on the day that the ‘fire-break’ lockdown in Wales ends, has been labelled by some of the town’s traders as an act of ‘unbelievable stupidity’ by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Authority has given notice of a Temporary Prohibition of Vehicular Traffic on Tenby’s High Street (from its junction with St Mary’s Church, south to its junction with Church Street) to begin on Monday (November 9) for the duration of four days, to allow for works to remove the window from the Tesco building, which is undergoing a refurbishment.

The alternative route for traffic will be via Tudor Square, St Julians Street, Bridge Street and Crackwell Street, and the one way order for Crackwell Street will be temporarily suspended for the duration of the closure to enable limited two-way vehicular access under traffic light control, but the timing of the road closure has been questioned by some business owners who have had to close their premises for 17 days under the Welsh Government’s ‘non essential’ shops fire-break restrictions guidance.

One trader who returned to their shop in the centre of Tenby on Wednesday to prepare for its re-opening on Monday, said that they were ‘dumbfounded’ to be greeted by PCC’s signage giving notice of the road closure, and subsequently contacted the authority’s street care manager Marc Owen.

“Can you give me the logic behind this madness, you have had 17 days to do whatever is needed to do!” the trader stated in correspondence to PCC.

“We have been shut for 17 days and now you are shutting the town off for three days from the first day we are allowed to re-open! Do you want this town to be devastated this year not only by Covid-19 but by PCC too!

“I am truly dumbfounded by the lack of understanding PCC shows local businesses.

“Do you people who get paid no matter what know how important it is for businesses to be able to function, do you have any idea what we have lost so far this year? Do you care how many people rely on us to give them an income...do you care?”

Commenting to the Observer, one trader stated: “This is an act of unbelievable stupidity from PCC - it’s unbelievable behaviour!”

PCC have stated that it is intended that works are completed within the time period stated, however this notice may continue in force for a maximum duration of five days if necessary.

Pedestrian access will be maintained for the duration of the closure.

A spokesperson for PCC stated: “The road closure was planned prior to the announcement of the current two-week ‘firebreak’ and was advertised in advance.

“The Council appreciates the concerns raised and we are working closely with the contractor in order to minimise any disruption.”