Ongoing issues surrounding transport services around Tenby have been discussed by local councillors, with a notion that many businesses across the seaside town suffer in attracting seasonal staff and the like, due to the poor public transport links available to the seaside town.

Tenby Town Council welcomed Mr Higgitt, of Martin Higgitt Associates Ltd. to their recent meeting, who has been commissioned by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to undertake a research project looking at the potential feasibility for transport services around Tenby.

Mr Higgitt explained that this was a follow-up to an earlier consultation and was looking into the feasibility of improving transportation links and access for workers and visitors.

He was aware that many local businesses were struggling to recruit staff. His research was into to what degree access is a barrier to recruitment and identify the needs of both employees and employers.

There was an online survey which he would follow up with interviews and focus groups.

Given the presence of our Youth Ambassador, he was mindful that many seasonal jobs in hospitality and the tourism sector were taken by young works who do not perhaps have access to a car. This could prove a barrier to taking up jobs if shift patterns did not align with public transport services.

Options which could make a difference could be shared taxis, lift sharing, or the ‘take me too’ app.

In addition there were several visitor attractions on the B4318, including the dinosaur and deer parks, Manor House, Heatherton, and Carew airfield and castle. Could staff and visitors get there if they did not have access to a car, he asked.

Could a bus service as far as Carew or on to Pembroke or Pembroke Dock enable visitors and, staff to travel to destinations along this route, as all attractions seem to have opening hours in common.

Mr Higgitt said he had spoken to a few operators already and they are very enthusiastic about better public transport. It could be an App service hop on hop off model, something to promote all attractions on the corridor, possibly offering a discount on entries. He would be making recommendations in September with an October start a possibility.

Based on costings from other studies done he was looking at the feasibility to see if there is a case and make suggestions about funding options which, based on experiences elsewhere, could include costs met by subsidies or shared by users and businesses.

At the moment discussions were not being had with other towns as the Tenby area appeared to be particularly struggling to employ staff.

Cllr Emma Lewis said that she used to work in PACTO and really hoped a solution could be found.

The ‘take me too’ scheme has been going for seven years but there seem to be no takers. There was a scooter scheme where these were loaned out to get people to work, which was successful but funding ran out.

There are, maybe, 4 or 6 services that do not wash their faces but if this idea could be made viable, she would give 100% backing, she stated.

“The Fleccsi bus initiative was a massive win and had proved helpful for businesses, families and individuals,” she continued.

“Lift sharing is always difficult and PACTO is focussing on travel to work and there are private groups formed by organisations.”

Youth Ambassador Emma told the meeting that she had a part time job in Folly Farm but it was easier to get to as there was an hourly Tenby to Haverfordwest bus service passing it.

It was asked if this route, taking in Saundersfoot and Kilgetty had been considered by Mr Higgitt as it was clear that staff also came from this area but he felt that the scheme could be unviable if it became too big too soon.

Part of his project was to talk to businesses to assess access to work in Tenby to find out where people are travelling from.

In the first instance the B4318 route was being considered as it has a cluster of attraction all neatly lined up.

Cllr Dr Tara Carmody suggested that the B4318 route could feature something similar to the open- top bus service to Saundersfoot.

“There is a huge number of historical landmarks and geographical features to see along that route,” she commented.

She noted that conversations in relation to access were also being had through the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s on going consultation to potential changes to hospital services operated in the area. She suggested to Mr Higgitt that there may be some overlap for consideration.

Mr Higgitt was thankful for this information and would contact Greenways to check what is happening so there was no duplication.

Members also felt that consideration should also be given to the local care home sector. Employment in this sector was not seasonal but staff still had access to work issues.

Mr Higgitt said he would also welcome conversations from this sector.

He was aware that Bluestone provided a bus for their housekeeping staff so there may be a similar solution for care home workers.

The Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan thanked Mr Higgitt for his time and said the Town Council would do all it could to assist.