Alternative travel methods to get around have been suggested by local councillors after the demise of a popular bus service in Tenby.

Members of Tenby Town Council received a letter at their meeting on Tuesday night from a man who said he was writing to express his “concern and disappointment” at the lack of a Tenby town bus service since the demise of the Silcox bus company.

“My mother is 86-years-old and relied on this bus service to get back and forth to town,” said Richard Bedford, in correspondence that was also sent to county councillor Michael Williams.

“Unlike many of the other passengers who relied completely on the bus service for their transportation to and from town, my mother is able to walk to town which she does to keep active, but now to return home she has to catch a bus to the top of Narberth Road, but then finds it impossible to ascend the hill into Upper Hill Park where she lives,” he added.

Speaking on the matter, the town clerk, Andrew Davies, told members that Clr. Williams had forwarded him a response from Pembrokeshire County Council’s head of highways and construction, Darren Thomas, who had explained that the authority had not yet found an operator for this commercial route.

“Mr. Thomas also pointed out that the Tenby town rider provided a door to door service, and was open to all, and free to those with concessionary travel passes,” said Mr. Davies.

“The dial-a-ride runs on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm, and from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, on a Friday,” he continued, explaining that you had to book your journey by 12 noon on the day before you wanted to travel, by calling freephone number 0800 783 1584.

Although there are flyers for the scheme in the foyer of the town council offices at the De Valence, Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall suggested that it would be useful to organise a leaflet drop in areas of the community that the service would benefit.

Clr. Trevor Hallett said that the service was quite well used, and a better alternative to walking for some, while Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter sympathised with those who now felt housebound due to the bus service that Silcox provided finishing.

“Maybe people living near each other could also club together to share a taxi as an alternative transport option, if they don’t have family nearby or a friendly neighbour to rely on,” she said.

“In the meantime, we could ask PCC to continue with their efforts to find an operator for that route,” added Clr. Blackhall.