Two proposed 'enhancement schemes' for Tenby, one which will see improvements made to the harbour area and the other a million-pound project to upgrade facilities in and around the town's multi-storey car park, have been welcomed by local councillors.

Pembrokeshire County Council's senior engineer and project manager, Rob Hamer, and representatives from project developers, Capita Symonds, gave a presentation to members of Tenby Town Council last week, outlining the two project plans - one for the enhancement of Tenby Harbour and St. Julian Street, while the other scheme would see a refurbishment of the multi-storey toilet block and bus shelter in Upper Park Road, to include the Tourist Information Centre and provide a glass lift and open external staircase to the car park.

Work on Tenby Harbour and St. Julian Street, which was scheduled to commence this month and be completed ahead of the summer, would include - the widening of the pavement for pedestrian safety (with materials to be used that would match the recent Tudor Square scheme); replacement of existing harbour street lighting and spotlights; cosmetic enhancement to the sluice bridge and railings of the harbour; removal of excess and unneeded harbour signage.

Town councillors told the developers that they would like to see the Castle Beach gates, which are superfluous, removed during the scheme and the pier gates replaced with removable bollards.

They also voiced concern about traffic turning problems that presently exist at the Crackwell Street/Castle Square/St. Julian Street junction, being increased if the road was narrowed.

Councillors said that they hoped communication with harbour users and lifeboat crew would take place prior and during the work schedule.

The developers said that the aim of the second scheme in Upper Park Road was to improve the bus focal point, making best use of the area and providing improved facilities.

The key elements of the project will include - upgraded toilet facilities; improved bus passenger facilities; provision of a new Tourist Information Centre; relocation of the present taxi rank to the bus bay outside Sainsburys, with the present taxi rank to become a bus drop-off area; improved multi-storey facade; improved bus stop along the South Parade; improved pedestrian footway on Upper Park Road; external passenger lift and external stairs at the multi-storey car park.

Councillors were told that pedestrian safety was the principal benefit of altering the pavements, creating better access and usability with the added provision of the passenger lift and external staircase.

Funding has been secured to assess, plan and design the project, with a planning application due to be submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

However, grant funding is required to finance the project, which is estimated to be at £1.1 million, with Pembrokeshire County Council due to present an application for funding to the Welsh Government.

Tenby councillors welcomed both schemes and hoped the funding would be forthcoming to enable the Upper Park Road development to proceed.