Improvement works to make Tenby harbour sluice more 'user-friendly’ have been scheduled to start in the New Year, after Pembrokeshire County Council applied to Natural Resources Wales for a marine licence to refurbish the facility.

It was revealed last year that the Authority will receive £128,000 to carry out improvements to the sluice, after Deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas’ announcement that the Welsh Government would grant the funding for the facility as part of a £2.2 million outlay that has been earmarked for 23 projects across Wales, to improve the visitor experience and develop ‘high quality destinations’.

The proposals include replacing Tenby Harbour sluice entrance stop logs with a gate that can be easily opened on demand, which will extend the operating season and create a year-round harbour excursion offer.

“This is a small scheme to replace the stop logs currently in the entrance to the sluice with a bottom hung gate. It is designed to make the sluice more user friendly and easier to access at any time,” said a spokesperson for PCC this week.

“At the moment boats are effectively trapped in the sluice for the winter but in the future they should be able to enter and leave as and when they wish.”

Work is due to start on site in January.