After recently being referred to as ‘horrendous’, new digital signs at the entrances to Tenby have now been described as ‘absolutely pathetic’ by a local councillor.

The new LED signage at Marsh Road and Lady Park, unveiled by Pembrokeshire County Council recently, will operate automatically in times of flood and inform drivers if there is flooding and/or if the road has been closed, allowing them to modify their travel plans if necessary.

Members of Tenby Town Council recently criticised the new ‘variable-message signs’ (VMS) for displaying what they described as ‘negative’ information on the weekend of the Carten event, by stating that the centre of the town was ‘closed’ for the cycle ride.

The town clerk, Andrew Davies, apologised to councillors firstly for misleading them with incorrect information, explaining he had been living under the ‘misapprehension’ that the signage was erected by the Trunk Road Agency when it was indeed funded by PCC.

“What I said at the beginning still stands, £80,000 has been spent on these signs when surely that would have been better being put towards actually correcting the flood situation at Gumfreston! It’s absolutely pathetic,” remarked Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter.

“These signs have been up over three weeks now, and used for one day!” commented Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane. “I don’t see a need for such detrimental signage. We should review it in six months, and then take it away,” she added.

Clr. Paul Rapi said it would be nice if the town council had access to the signage, and could determine what information was displayed, as he’d been led to believe from the start.

The town clerk explained that the overriding use of the signage was as a vehicle management system, for flooding, road closures and accidents, but that PCC had been made aware of councillors’ ‘dissatisfaction’ at how the information had been worded for the Carten event.

“It would be nice if the signs could say open to pedestrians!” added Clr. Lane.