Thumbs up for traffic scheme (From Western Telegraph)

Thumbs up for traffic scheme

Two-thirds of householders in the Tenby area who completed a questionnaire on this summer's pedestrianisation scheme, want to see the experiment repeated.

Results from the survey, conducted by Pembrokeshire County Council, also show that 41% would support an extension of the hours of pedestrianisation by starting it earlier in the day while 43% supported an extension by finishing later in the afternoon.

The questionnaire was sent to all households on the electoral register in the Tenby, Caldey, Penally and New Hedges electoral divisions. Over 1,500 replies were received - a response rate of 44%.

Of the replies, 88% indicated that there is a need to improve the traffic situation in Tenby.

Views on the experiment ranged from 'enjoyable' (58%) and 'safe' (45%) to 'inconvenient' (17%) and 'annoying' (11%).

The park and ride facilities introduced during the scheme were also well received with a 6:1 'satisfactory/unsatisfactory' response ratio.

The experiment made no difference to the number of visits to the town for nearly half of respondents. Twenty-two per cent said they visited the town more frequently as a result of pedestrianisation, while 15% indicated less frequent visits.

The county council's cabinet member with responsibility for environment and transportation, Councillor Brian Hall, said there would be a meeting of representatives of local citizen groups on Friday when more detailed results will be available.

He added: "It is understood that some of these groups may have undertaken their own surveys on the subject but there is little doubt that everyone agrees that there is a need to improve the traffic situation in Tenby.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has taken part in the survey and it is a high response rate. We will be taking into account all the views which have been expressed in the questionnaire."

The county council has also conducted a similar survey of businesses in the Tenby area and the result of this, and the householders questionnaire, will be appearing on the Councils website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

Tenby Walled Town Residents' Association has rejected the notion that the experiment has been a success.

Said chairman Richard Walker: "We make it very clear, early in our submission to Pembrokeshire County Council, that most of our members want some form of traffic management. But it is crystal clear that they don't want what the county council is currently offering.

"What we have tried to do is point out the failings and inadequacies of the August scheme, based on verifiable evidence, and also put forward positive proposals for improvement in traffic management."