Local councillors are in discussions with senior officers at Pembrokeshire County Council to look at how to best manage traffic flow in Tenby going into the Easter holiday period, whilst Crackwell Street remains closed to vehicles.
Crackwell Street is expected to be closed for considerable more time than expected, after ‘significant’ structural issues were identified to a property, the Local Authority stated earleir this month.
Now with the Easter holidays here, more concerns have been raised over how the seaside town can cope with extra traffic coming into the Walled Town, and having to naviagte through Tudor Square.
County councillor for Tenby’s North ward, Cllr Michael Williams has suggested to Public Realm Manager at Pembrokeshire County Council, Marc Owen that it might be an idea to close off the parking spaces outside the Market Hall on High Street during the closure of Crackwell Street.
“In recent days there has been difficulties with the increase of traffic having to come up the High Street causing considerable issues,” remarked Cllr Williams.
“I’ve asked if it might be a structural issue with the road. Possibly time to look at the long term stability of this road, I raised it a number of years ago.
“If you look at the number of areas which appear to be sinking, also the highway is constructed on a very unstable cliff face. We witness absolutely no policing of the weight restrictions which are in place with vehicles appearing to be well over the legal limit frequently in the town centre.
“The town is just not designed to take these types of vehicles,” he added.
County Councillor for Tenby’s South Ward, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, has also been in dialogue with PCC officers over concerns about the continued road closure on ‘Back Hill’ [Crackwell Street].
“The closure of Crackwell Street has undoubtedly caused additional congestion in St Julian’s Street, Tudor Square and High Street. Understandably people are concerned especially with the increased numbers of visitors over the Easter period,” she remarked.
“I am having ongoing discussions with senior officers at PCC to look at how we can best manage traffic flow and how we can ensure that Crackwell Street is re-opened at the very earliest opportunity. I have suggested keeping some areas free of parked cars to aid traffic flow.
“I am grateful for the helpful discussions and ideas from both businesses and the people of Tenby. I will make sure that the Local Authority considers every possible measure to manage this situation.”
Pembrokeshire County Council issued a Public Notice at the turn of the year, to make an Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, with it intended that restrictions would last for approximately 4 weeks.
The proposed Road Traffic Order is necessary so that property maintenance works to Goscar House can be carried out (Observer pic)
The proposed Road Traffic Order is necessary so that property maintenance works to Goscar House can be carried out – which includes repositioning of a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit and flat roof extension to provide undercover storage space.
However, PCC has stated that the road closure has been extended for a futher 8 weeks [as of February 23]. The initial start date scheduled for the works had been delayed by some 2 weeks until January 19.
The closure has temporarily prohibited all vehicular traffic (other than exempted vehicles from proceeding along that section of Crackwell Street) – from a point near the property known as Lower Anchorage, northwest to a point near the property known as Northcliffe.
The closure has temporarily prohibited all vehicular traffic – other than exempted vehicles from proceeding along that section of Crackwell Street. (Observer pic)
Crackwell Street which runs above the seaside town’s harbour, is one way. During the town’s pedestrianisation period over the summer, the street sees a two-way traffic light system in place, to enable vehicles to access the harbour area between the hours of 11am and 5.30pm daily.
The alternative route for traffic is via Bridge Street, St Julians Street, Tudor Square and High Street.
Crackwell Street runs above the seaside town’s harbour. (Observer pic)
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Council said: “The closure of Crackwell Street, Tenby, to vehicles has had to be extended for a further duration of approximately 8 weeks due to unforeseen and significant structural issues identified to a residential property.”
The Order will remain valid for a maximum period of 18 months as a contingency in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.
