Pembrokeshire county council have been urged to act to prevent inconsiderate parking continuing on a route up to Tenby cemetery.

The issue was most recently raised over the Whitsun holiday week, when many of the town’s car parks were full, and motorists resorted to ditching their vehicles along Slippery Back, leading to concerns that an inordinate amount of cars parked along the stretch of roadway leading up to the cemetery, would make the route impassable for a funeral cortège.

County councillor Michael Williams, who represents the Tenby North ward, has once again pressed PCC to act on the matter, writing to the Authority for a progress update on the situation: “I recently asked if yellow lines could be painted on the access road to Tenby cemetery. Given the impending summer peak, please would you investigate temporary measures to ensure access is available at all times in particular for funeral cortèges from Narberth Road to the cemetery, possibly by placing bollards or boulders on the sides of the road to prevent obstructive parking?”

A response from PCC’s Senior Traffic and Road Safety Engineer Clare Williams, stated that she had consulted with colleagues within the Authority regarding the status of Slippery Back.

“Officers have confirmed that ‘Slippery Back’ is a Public Bridleway and as such the Section 34 Road Traffic Act says it is a criminal offence to drive on a bridleway without lawful authority,” she said.

“There would be no option to change the status to BOAT (Byways Open To All Traffic) because the The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) extinguished motor vehicle rights unless already recorded or applied for.

“It may be possible for Highways to adopt it as a county highway and put in on the list of streets, in which case it would come of the definitive map due to the legal event”

“Given the current status the Traffic Team would not be in a position to consider double yellow lines in this location. However if in the future the status of Slippery Back changes it could be considered as part of our bi annual reviews.

“Maintaining access for those attending the cemetery is important, as is all users of the bridleway. The route up to the cemetery and beyond is quiet, rural in nature and requires the implementation of measures which are in keeping with the immediate surrounding.”

As such, PCC’s public rights of way team have been asked for feedback, and to explore the possibility of a short term solution which discourages parking on the verges but ensures that all bridleway users are considered under any measures that are implemented.