Concerns have been raised over the high level of sandbanks that have formed around Tenby’s harbour area, leading to councillors calling for urgent dredging action to be undertaken.

The matter of beach erosion and a call for sand to be replaced on the South Beach was put on the agenda for Monday night’s meeting of the town council by Clr. Paul Rapi (who was not present at the meeting).

In his absence, Clr. Laurence Blackhall prompted the discussions, stating that it would be beneficial for someone in authority to come and meet with the town council to give some feedback on the matter.

Clr. Blackhall also pointed out that there was a real concern about the high level of sand sweeping towards Goscar rock across the North Beach, leaving high sandbanks around a section of the harbour’s pier.

“Because the harbour has not been dredged in some time, at the current rate, we will have a new beach behind the harbour wall!” he told his colleagues, explaining that two boys in recent days were very nearly cut off by the tide due to way the sandbanks have formed.

“There is the real possibility of people getting stuck on there, and the problem is generated by a lack of maintenance, and the harbour area does desperately need dredging as soon as possible, as boats are struggling to get back into the harbour.

“This isn’t just about pleasure, people’s livelihoods depend on this. I can’t think of a single boat user who hasn’t asked for this to be done, they’re all having problems.

“I understand from the harbourmaster that a dredging licence had previously been applied for, before the boats went back into the water, but it didn’t seem to happen.

“Anybody that draws a picture of Tenby, draws the harbour scene, but before long they’ll be drawing a large sandbank with boats stuck on top!” he added.

Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that the ‘harbour users association’ should be demanding more action from the county council over the matter, as that was their ‘bread and butter’, whilst Clr. Trevor Hallett stated that it would be beneficial if they could move some of the sand back to the South Beach where the sand erosion was at its worst.

It was suggested by the town clerk to write to Pembrokeshire County Council on the ‘harbour users association’s behalf pointing out the concerns.

Clr. Blackhall agreed, and said that the correspondence should enquire as to when the dredging will be carried out. He also recommended writing to the RNLI, to offer the town council’s support, stating that they too must be concerned about the matter, as a matter of public safety.