Sir,
If I may, I should like to add to the letters on the parking problems in our towns, especially Tenby. There have been some very good helpful ideas (Alan Morgan 'Easing the Parking Problem') to ease the problems. The suggestion of short term 'spot' parking of 20 to 30 minutes is a great idea, but human beings that we are, there will inevitably be some of us who will exploit this.
But we really must accept that Tenby was designed and built several hundreds of years ago to accept the fast convenient transport of the era - the horse and cart! I don't suppose any of us would welcome a comprehensive re-design and rebuild of Tenby town centre to really suit the motor-car and to get away completely from the horse and cart.
Maybe the simple answer is to continue to restrict car access and provide better and much, much more convenient out-of-town parking.
Sometimes in my more mischievous moments, I try to visualise the centre of Tenby which has been given a whole month of complete car access/parking freedom. The chaos and congestion would be quite breath-taking and would be quite salutery in persuading us to accept parking restrictions with good grace. ( Yes I know and accept that safety concerns would preclude daft ideas like that).
Frank Booth's letter ('Town centre needs a health check' ) also makes some good points and I can imagine Frank's frustrations in accessing his premises in the town centre.
I would like to suggest that Frank and others of us should consider using a bike to give us free and easy access to the town. He should buy himself a good quality sturdy 'hybrid' bike and fit a sturdy pannier. He could then strap onto his pannier, his brief-case and laptop and 'hey presto' he has free, easy, instantaneous access and free parking where you like and, of course, easy free access to his Tenby premises. Try it Frank!
Paul Rich,
CTC Right to Ride
Representative,
'The Burgage',
St. Florence,