A PETITION call to the Welsh Government to find a long-term solution to a regularly flood-hit road at the entrance to Tenby has been submitted by a local councillor.

The Gumfreston area near the south Pembrokeshire seaside town is regularly hit with floods, and councillors have previously heard its existing warning system appeared to not like working when its wet, with St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty county councillor Rhys Jordan frequently raising the issue at full council meetings.

The petition, created by Cllr Jordan, entitled ‘Lead and fund a long-term flood mitigation solution for the B4318 and Tenby catchment,’ has attracted more than 500 signatures to date and runs up until January 31.

It says: “The B4318 floods repeatedly, cutting off a key access route to Tenby. Although the road is maintained by Pembrokeshire County Council, flooding is caused by surface water runoff, high River Ritec levels, and tidal locking at the South Beach outfall during high tides. These combined factors mean local highway measures alone cannot resolve the problem.

“Flooding on the B4318 is frequent and disruptive, affecting residents, businesses, emergency access, schools and the local economy. Local options have been pursued but are limited by factors beyond the council’s control, including river capacity, catchment drainage, and coastal discharge constraints. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of rainfall and tide-related flooding, making the situation unsustainable.

“We are asking the Welsh Government to provide national leadership by coordinating relevant bodies such as Natural Resources Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council to assess the full catchment, including surface water, river, and tidal influences. A long-term, climate-resilient solution is required, supported by appropriate capital funding, to protect access to Tenby and reduce ongoing flood risk for the community.”

All petitions with more than 250 signatures will be discussed by the Petitions Committee after they have finished collecting signatures; any petition reaching 10,000 will be considered for a debate in the Senedd.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire county council, a submitted question calling for an improvement in communication of road closures caused by flooding in the area was heard, with members agreeing the question be submitted to a future meeting of the county council’s Cabinet for further consideration.

In his submitted question, Cllr Jordan had said: “The B4318 at Gumfreston is prone to persistent flooding during adverse weather conditions, leading to road closures that disrupt travel and pose safety risks for residents and motorists.

“Currently, closures are not effectively communicated to residents, causing inconvenience, delays, and potential hazards. An efficient alert system would provide timely information to residents, allowing them to plan alternative routes and ensuring safety.”

Last October, Cllr Jordan had asked at full council for an update on progress made toward improving the flood warning system in the Gumfreston area.

He had asked: “Can you give me an assurance that the flood warning system will actually work this autumn and winter?

“Only yesterday [October 16] the road was flooded and no warning signs were on; it seems to work when the road is not flooded, but they don’t like operating when its wet.”

He described it as “probably the most closed road in the county,” but one where there was the least communication on.

Members were previously given a ‘full commitment’ to improvements to the warning systems would be made.

Pembrokeshire County Council has warned residents that worsening weather this afternoon, particularly in the east of the county, will affect roads and services.

The Council said it would be closing some services early to allow staff to travel home safely. Schools that opened as normal this morning are also set to close early.

Forecasters expect snow and sleet to become heavier later today in eastern parts of the county, which could lead to travel disruption on untreated roads. Overnight, road surface temperatures are forecast to fall to around -2.5°C, with the risk of sleet or snow on higher ground.

Council teams have been continuously gritting and patrolling all primary routes since yesterday afternoon. Precautionary salting, patrolling, and ploughing of primary and secondary routes will continue through the afternoon, evening, and overnight. Gritting route information is available on the Council’s website.

The Council added that road surfaces are likely to remain below freezing for much of tomorrow morning and into the early afternoon.

Due to high call volumes, residents are being asked to contact the Council only in emergencies or for urgent matters. Road users are advised to take care, particularly on untreated roads, and to travel only if essential.

The weather may also affect school openings tomorrow, with updates to be posted on the Council’s dedicated school closure page.

A yellow weather warning covering Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and other parts of Wales has been extended until 11 am on Tuesday, as scattered sleet and snow showers, followed by widespread overnight ice, are expected to affect travel conditions.

The Met Office alert – in force from midday on Monday into Tuesday morning – warns that scattered sleet and snow showers will continue to drift southwards through the afternoon and evening, especially near exposed western and coastal areas, before easing later at night.

Although not all communities will see wintry precipitation, some localised snow accumulations are possible, with the greatest likelihood of 5–10 cm on higher ground, particularly around the Preseli Mountains and inland parts of south‑west Wales. Hail is also possible in heavier showers, which could create locally slippery surfaces.

Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing after dark, making ice the predominant hazard overnight and into Tuesday morning, when untreated roads, pavements and rural routes may become treacherous for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Drivers are being urged to plan journeys with care and allow extra time where necessary, while walkers and cyclists are advised to take particular care on untreated surfaces.

Across the wider UK, similar wintry conditions persist, with snow and ice warnings stretching from northern England through Scotland and Northern Ireland, and authorities advising the public to stay updated with the latest forecasts before travelling.