AROUND 100 local residents packed out Solva Memorial Hall last night (Wednesday) to discuss the future of Newgale pebble bank.

The meeting was called by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Highways and Construction, Darren Thomas and assistant engineer, Emyr Williams.

The sea defence is a great example of a natural barrier, but concerns have been growing about its stability following a major breach last winter.

Local businesses were severely flooded and the A487 was impassable for days, with motorists having to endure lengthy diversions on a C class road.

Mr Thomas said: “There’s a history of overtopping, in 1989 and more recently in 2014.

“Our management approach over the last 20 years has been to rebuild the bank. In terms of the future we have come along today to talk about a vulnerability study we have commissioned.”

Mr Williams has been working on the Shoreline Management Plan, which looks at the effect climate change is having on the coastline and how it is going to be managed.

He said there are four options for coastline management: hold the line, advance the line, manage realignment or do nothing.

The current approach at Newgale is management realignment, but Mr Williams said: “Eventually that will change to a no active intervention policy because there will be nothing there to manage.

“We will keep putting it back for a limited time.”

When asked for how long, he said: “We think we’ve probably got 10 years before it becomes impossible to maintain it.”

Mr Thomas then spoke about possible options for a new road.

The ideas he came up with included a short diversion around the back of Newgale and strengthening the diversion route into a more suitable highway.

Locals are being invited to have a say on the future of the pebble bank and transport options.

Visit the 'Have Your Say' section on the Pembrokeshire County Council website or send your views in writing to: Emyr Williams, Assistant Engineer, Pembrokeshire County Council, 3C County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.