The 37 objections to Pembrokeshire County Council's permanent order for the pedestrianisation scheme in Tenby have been side-stepped by the council's last-minute decision to change the permanent order into an experimental order just 12 days before the scheme is due to start.
And interestingly, claims a press release issued by the Tenby Walled Town Residents Association this week, nobody can object to an experimental order.
Following the cabinet meeting on Monday, June 23, Richard Walker, chairman of TWTRA, said: "Despite understanding all the objections, the cabinet voted for the experimental order which restricts access to the walled town, harbour and Caldey Island between 11 am and 5 pm from July 5 to August 31.
"Exemptions are for approved tourist related events and for approved health and safety reasons only. Few concessions have been made since last year's scheme, whereas the number of hours have increased from 812 to 2,436, three times longer than last year.
"Permission for access will still have to be sought and granted for each journey within the walled town by telephoning the council call centre who will make a judgement on each case. Residents, businesses and holidaymakers will be denied vehicular access, even for loading and unloading. Deliveries by couriers, taxis, and visits from medical staff continue to be denied. Blue-badge disabled continue to be ignored.
"All the concessions we have been fighting for, to make normal life bearable during pedestrianisation have been rejected and we are back to stage one. Nonetheless, those who will suffer as a result of this scheme know that the association is in it for the long haul. We will not let them down.
"TWTRA consider the council's action of changing the type of order to get over their shortfallings in implementing this year's scheme as nothing short of contemptible," continued Mr. Walker. "The council has always denied that regulations required it to hold a public inquiry. This last minute u-turn proves that they have now realised that they were wrong, and that Nick Ainger MP who has been calling for a public inquiry is right. They are simply using this device to cover up their mistake and gag the objectors.
"The TWTRA has always been in favour of a workable pedestrianisation scheme. This return to yet another draconian 'experiment' means investment in Tenby's infrastructure is further delayed, which is deeply disappointing."