‘Vastly improved access’ for residents and visitors to Saundersfoot and its surrounding areas, during this year’s Long Course Weekend, has been welcomed by a local county councillor.

County councillor for Saundersfoot’s south ward Cllr Chris Williams has pushed in recent months for access improvements to the seaside village, bemoaning that the area has been ‘shut off’ due to road closures, during the cycling leg of the sporting triathlon, on what would normally be a busy Saturday at the end of June.

Following last year’s LCW, Cllr Williams said that he’d received a ‘significant number of negative comments’ regarding the impact of the cycling event (known as the Wales Sportive) on Saundersfoot.

He told Pembrokeshire County Council recently that the perception that the village is closed led to reduced footfall, negatively affecting both businesses and the event atmosphere, calling for event organisers Activity Wales to provide clearer communication to residents and businesses.

“There will be major changes this year with vastly improved access corridors, and Amroth now will be totally accessible,” remarked Cllr Williams.

“Vehicles will be able to access Saundersfoot, whilst residents in the Glen, Broadfield Hill, Cwm Gwenol will now have access in and out of their properties.

“Full road closures have been dramatically reduced to just Brewery Terrace, Cambrian Terrace, High Street and St Brides Hill to the second exit of St Brides Spa Hotel.

“I hope that visitor numbers return to the village when the LCW event had an open roads policy.”

Cllr Williams said that PCC and LCW have been working on new maps to zoom in on Saundersfoot and surrounding boundaries, to provide clearer information.

“I feel having the maps specifically tailored for our village, could certainly improve access and more importantly provide local residents and businesses with accessible routes,” he added.

LCW will take place from June 27-29.