Yellow lines and overnight parking fines are just some of the measures to be introduced at Freshwater West this summer in a bid to deal with soaring visitor numbers at the Pembrokeshire beach.

In figures provided by the RNLI, the numbers of sunseekers and surfers heading west has increased year on year, with more than 32,000 visitors alone during the summer period in 2018.

Once a haven for skilled surfers, Freshwater West has become famous around the world as the set for blockbuster movies and is one of the prized coastal locations in Pembrokeshire that is relatively unspoilt.

To deal with increasing visitors, camp-fires in the dunes and traffic concerns due to the numbers of camper vans parking along the narrow access route, local organisations including the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the National Trust have been consulting with the community over steps to make getting to and from the beach safer.

Marc Tierney, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire who attended the consultation event in Castlemartin earlier this month said: “From a tourism perspective, the success of Freshwater West is a real achievement for Pembrokeshire.

“But added visitor numbers without adequate infrastructure is causing difficulties for traffic and impacting on the local environment. Nearby residents attending the drop-in session raised concerns about camp-fires and camper vans parking overnight.

“In response, Pembrokeshire County Council and the National Trust will tighten up parking restrictions as a trial arrangement this summer, that means more double yellow lines along the road and other parking restrictions at the car parks with enforcement officers ready to hand out £100 fines to those caught flouting the new rules.”

“I was pleased to hear that there will be continued consultation with visitors over the summer months, it is important we balance the needs of local residents with visitors and to ensure that we think creatively about protecting our environment whilst also supporting our economy.”