Tenby Town Council have given their full support to a 110-name petition calling for safety improvements in the town's Heywood Lane and Heywood Court.

Before members at their meeting on Tuesday night was a petition, organised by Mr. Tony Neighbour, of 6 Heywood Court, demanding action to solve the traffic problems caused by having three of the town's schools in close proximity along Heywood Lane.

The petition calls for a footpath to be created from Heywood Court to Serpentine Road to prevent children going to the Junior School having to cross Heywood Lane twice. This path would also be of benefit to senior citizens.

It also calls for speed cameras along Heywood Lane outside all three schools, Greenhill, Tenby Infants and Tenby Junior, and the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit.

A 20 mph speed limit should also be introduced in Heywood Court, states the petition, with signs erected to warn motorists that it is a residential area with children playing and elderly residents.

Action should also be taken to prevent illegal parking on pavements and 30 metres from all junctions with Heywood Lane.

Speaking on Tuesday night, Clr. Mickey Folland revealed that he had also received a copy of the petition in his capacity as a county councillor.

"I immediately made contact with the county highways department to see if the pavement could be included in the 'Safe Routes to Schools' scheme," he said.

"Unfortunately, the impetus from this must come from the schools themselves.

"I suggest we send a copy of the petition to Mr. Gerson Davies, the county council's director of education, to see if he can get the governors of the schools to put this forward."

Clr. Folland said that he had also raised the situation with Tenby's acting police inspector Steve Britton.

"The inspector took a copy of the petition and was very supportive," he said. "The question of speed cameras is a joint initiative between the county council and the police, and the parking situation is a matter of police enforcement.

"On the question of signs, I have contacted county highways and the council house estates officer to see what can be done.

"I also believe that they are going to have a word with pupils at Greenhill, because it appears that a few of the cars parked there belong to them.

"Most of the points in the petition appear to be in train, and I feel we should fully support this petition," he added.

Clr. Stuart Fecci agreed, adding that a copy should also be sent to the Tenby traffic and parking management review panel.

"I think we would all welcome traffic calming in this area," he opined.

Clr. Trevor Hallett commented that he had seen forms of traffic calming in use in Leeds which did not need the legal requirements which made speed humps prohibitively costly.

It was also pointed out that a similar system was used in Swansea.

"Perhaps the county council could look at these as a form of traffic calming," he suggested.

Clr. Philip Crockford stressed that, if one estate was to have a 20 mph limit, then all estates in the town should, but Clr. Folland said that the impetus for this would have to come from a residents association.

"Some estates may not want such a limit," he pointed out.

Clr. Andrew Rees recalled that the county council had conducted a survey in Heywood Lane some four years ago.

"At that time, the county council did not feel any control was necessary," he claimed. "I think 110 signatures show that there is now a desperate need.

"There are so many students and senior citizens using this area, any two of the four proposals would be enough if they can't stretch to all four.

"We should give this petition our wholehearted support."

The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, agreed.

"If you will note, teachers have also signed the petition, so it shows they want something done," she said.

"Mr. Neighbour has really galvanised the community and it's doubly pleasing to note that one person in Heywood Lane is even prepared to give up some of his garden for a footpath to be built."

Clr. Folland said that a video had been made of Heywood Lane when the survey was carried out four years ago.

"When you view the video, it really makes you wonder how a child has not been knocked down," he commented.

"If I had my way, it would be shown to all the parents so they can see the danger they are putting children in.

"Something certainly needs to be done!"