Funding avenues are being sought once again to finally seek improvements to Tenby harbour’s sluice.

In recent years the uses of the sluice have changed and the facility is currently practically inaccessible.

Works to make the sluice more 'user-friendly' were given the thumbs up by town councillors prior to Covid, with members being told of an application from Pembrokeshire County Council for the replacement of stop logs with sluice control, which would ‘protect and enhance’ the area, as well as sustaining activities; improve the amenity of the harbour, and sustain local employment opportunities.

It has been revealed back in 2019 that the Local Authority was earmarked to receive £128,000 to carry out improvements to the sluice, after the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism, announced that grant funding for the facility as part of a £2.2 million outlay for 23 projects across Wales, to improve the visitor experience and develop ‘high quality destinations’.

However, funding for the project seemingly slipped through the net, and the plans never came to fruition.

The proposals put forward at the time were seen as a way to extend the operating season and create a year-round harbour excursion offer.

Tenby Civic Society’s planning committee welcomed such plans at the time, stating: “The proposal and principle of protecting boats in the sluice during wild weather is welcome, as are the main design features. 

“This will give the sluice a new value and contribute to the working life of the harbour - an important policy area for Tenby in the Local Development Plan, and retain popular activities like crabbing in the sluice.

Plans for the sluice gate were revisited again recently at a meeting of Tenby Harbour User's Association, with the chair of the group stating that he would provide PCC with all relevant paperwork to start the process of looking for new sources of funding to pursue.

Members heard that community support for this project remained strong; and it was proposed that known engineering firms be invited to complete a design and guide price to include a structural sign off to establish a required funding budget.