Tenby's controversial walled town traffic ban begins tomorrow (Saturday).

The experiment banning all but emergency vehicles from the walled town between 12 noon and 4 pm has been given the green light by the cabinet of Pembrokeshire County Council despite opposition from residents and traders and is planned to run until August 31.

Coupled with the walled town traffic ban, White Lion Street will also be made one-way as part of a longer term experiment with all traffic flowing from High Street to South Parade.

Unlike month-long experimental pedestrianisation scheme within Tenby's walled town, which operates for four hours a day, the one way scheme will be operational 24 hours a day with no access from South Parade.

Pembrokeshire County Council claims that the benefits of the month long experiment will include improved safety for pedestrians in the street, a chance to enjoy the historic character of the town in peace and an opportunity to introduce pavement cafes without traffic noise and fumes.

However, local groups and organisations including Tenby Town Council and the newly formed Tenby Walled Town Residents Association argue that not enough consultation has been carried out on the experiment and not enough thought has been given to the effect of a traffic prohibition on those living and working within the walled town.

Mr. Huw Roberts, the County Council's director of Transportation and Environment has said that residents could be assured that, where the need arose for them to travel out of the walled town for urgent medical or safety reasons, they will be allowed out and their journey would be authorised later.

"For example, we are not asking a woman who suddenly goes into labour to apply for a permit to travel," he stressed.

However, chairman of the Walled Town Residents Association, Mr. Richard Walker, remains unconvinced about the practicalities of the scheme, despite the Association meeting with Mr. Roberts last week.

Although Mr. Roberts answered some of the concerns, with the scheme just days away Mr. Walker still feels that the criteria to obtain a permit to travel for an "unavoidable' journey are still unclear.

He notes that Health and Safety matters will be dealt with by the county council and a letter of authorisation issued, but this would only be for specific matters and not "general usage".

"Again the onus has been placed on the individual to offer applications to become a special case," said Mr. Walker, adding that having to declare medical details to be assessed for authorisation to travel out of the walled town would be "an infringement of personal rights and privacy."

"Who at Pembrokeshire County Council will have sufficient expertise to make such an assessment?" he asks. "Will those have the authority , expertise and impartiality to be able to solve the practical problems raised immediately?

"The scattergun approach to coping with last minute practical problems is seen by me to be administered in a reflex and arbitrary nature," he commented, adding that he was also "totally confused" as to whom to appeal to and under what criteria any appeal would be considered.

"As I see it, the adverse publicity given to former schemes has coloured the firm and draconian perspective given by Pembrokeshire County Council in this instance," he said.

While the Association recognises the need for traffic management, they feel it should be an integrated scheme for traffic limitation in consultation and co-operation with businesses, residents and harbour users, not a total ban.

"The understated 'don't worry' in the July 5 leaflet drop by the county council has not taken into account the serious disruption and sacrifices individual residents are being told to make without any of them being individually consulted," he said.

The County Council point out that there will be two park and ride bus services operating in Tenby throughout August, allowing easy access to the walled town.

One route operated by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority runs from The Salterns to South Parade while the other has two free minibuses operating from the Butts Field car park bus stop and allows access to the harbour.

Outside the experimental hours the buses will travel through Tudor Square. When the traffic prohibition is in force, these buses will access the harbour via Crackwell Street.

This service, funded by Pembrokeshire County Council, runs every 10 minutes from 10 am to 6 pm, seven days a week throughout August. Both minibuses are wheelchair accessible.

A special overflow car park has also been set up at The Clicketts, which will also be serviced by park and ride buses.

The County Council have also printed 5,000 leaflets, with maps, explaining the month-long experiment which are being distributed on the park and ride buses and from the town's Tourist Information Centre at The Croft.

Anyone experiencing transport related difficulties is also asked to call a special helpline on (01834) 843203 between 10 am and 4 pm.

In a bid to evaluate the experiment the County Council is keen to hear views and experiences on the exercise and comments should be forwarded to: Directorate of Transportation and Environment, Pembrokeshire County Council, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

Tenby Town Council have also set up a special 'comments book' where people can express their views on the experiment. This book is available in the council offices at the De Valence Pavilion daily Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4.30 pm.