Ongoing parking problems for the seaside village of Saundersfoot have once again been highlighted by a local county councillor - with examples of tourists and day travellers blocking driveways, and abandoning vehicles on housing estates during the recent Easter holiday period.

Cllr Chris Williams, who represents the south ward of the village, has been working with the Local Authority in recent months to try and tackle more and more issues that flag up instances of inconsiderate parking, once car parks reach capacity.

“The Easter Holidays came and went and, once again, the parking issues in the village were highlighted!” he stated.

“Unfortunately, as it had been wet, the sports field wasn’t able to provide extra parking as this would have caused considerable damage to the playing surface.

“It was plain to see that the Sports Club provide a much needed facility to the village, enabling businesses to make the most of the tourists and the daily traveller, while the local residents can move freely around the village.

“The grounds staff at the sports field should be applauded for making sure that sport is played throughout the year while also balancing this with the parking.

“What happened on the Easter Bank Holiday was that tourists and day travellers blocked driveways, parked on housing estates such as Pennant Avenue, Whitlow, Ragged Staff, Bevelin Hall etc.

“The car parks were full very early in the morning and cars were abandoned throughout the village causing many problems with residents getting out of their drives. Saundersfoot has a major parking problem that needs addressing,” continued Cllr Williams.

Recently, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority car park has had the bay sizes enlarged as well as putting in electric charging points; whilst with the Harbour car park going through a new development process which will make the driver experience far better, this has compounded the parking problem.

“Unfortunately, spaces will be lost as the parking bays will be made bigger to conform with current guide lines, along with electric parking bays, and I have mentioned this previously as the village has lost over 300 spaces over the last twenty years,” explained Cllr Williams.

“With the new development around the Plaza and the works that have gone around the village, this is attracting new visitors to Saundersfoot.

“We also have the new accommodation on the Harbour that we didn’t have before and this obviously will impact on the parking.

“On the horizon is the proposed development on Milford Street, which I’ve already declared a prejudicial interest in. What is proposed will significantly affect how the village operates!

“We are struggling now and an increase in another potentially 50 cars would cause further complications.

“I have spoken with a few senior business owners in the village along with local residents to look at how we can all come together to look at solutions. Councillor Alec Cormack and I are looking at an alternative, and hopefully we will be able to get a group together from across the village to help look at parking.

“We have been speaking with PCC and have spoken with highways engineers regarding the proposed active travel link.

“There is money available through grants from the Welsh Government to have pavements down to Coppet Hall and other areas of the village.

“We just need to make sure they are achievable. Once there is a safe footpath we can then look further into ongoing future developments,” he added.

Resurfacing work and improvements to Saundersfoot’s harbour car park, has also stepped up this week.

The complete scraping back and retarmacking of the car park should now be completed by the end of the week.

The retarmacking of this area will be done in sections from Tuesday 16 - Friday 19 May, with line marking commencing in sections soon after, and the car park fully open for Whitsun (subject to weather).

During this time there will be controlled access to other areas of the Harbour. Parking on the Harbour will still be available, but will be limited, so please plan ahead.

Normal ticket prices still apply, and alternative parking is available at Regency Hall and Coppet Hall.

A spokesperson for Saundersfoot Harbour said: “The resurfacing work of the car park is funded by Welsh Government and EU Funding Bodies, and will significantly improve car park management and flow as well as pedestrian safety.

“The new car park layout will reduce blind spots, increase pedestrian pathways, and will include the provision of EV charging stations, increased car bay sizes, and additional disabled parking bays.

“The promenade will benefit from new planters, and direct pedestrian and wheelchair access from the car park and Ocean Square, improving accessibility. The current benches will remain and be maintained, although these may be repositioned slightly,” they added.

For more information about the resurfacing zoning and timescales, please visit https://www.saundersfootharbour.co.uk/visit/parking/