LIFEBOAT crewmen racing to an emergency call at Cardigan’s RNLI station last weekend struggled to make it through because of badly parked cars and other oblivious motorists in St Dogmaels.

The two lifeboats based at Poppit Sands were launched in the search for missing 90-year-old sailor Archie Taylor and the crews know that every second counts in such a situation.

Now a plea has gone out for motorists to park sensibly and to also let lifeboat crews pass, especially around the bottleneck on Pilot Street in the village.

Dai Brabrook, deputy launching authority at Cardigan RNLI, said: “Parking on the street is a big concern.

“We had a lot of trouble last summer, especially after they introduced car parking charges at St Dogmaels.

“People who used to park there now park on the roads and it is just getting worse.”

Lifeboat operations manager Cliff Griffiths had a meeting with Pembrokeshire County Council last summer to discuss the problem but there is no immediate sign of a solution.

A council spokesman said: “There is no proposal to remove the charges in the car park. However, there is a review ongoing in relation to introducing parking restrictions on Pilot Street, St Dogmaels.”

“I appreciate they are looking at it but the problem is the timescale. It can take up to 18 months for traffic orders to go through,” said Mr Brabrook.

The St Dogmaels Facebook site has been quick to highlight the problem facing the crews and issued its own appeal.

It said: “Please when you are navigating the narrow stretches on the road to Poppit check for other vehicles coming towards you and give way. Our RNLI use the road to get to the Lifeboat Station to launch, the increase in traffic especially in holiday times is making it very difficult for them.

“They display a sign in their car window please look for it and give way to them, in emergency situations delays cost lives. All it costs you to let them past is a few minutes of your life, to the person in danger they are going to help a delay could cost them their life.

“Please be more cautious when entering the stretch of road at Pilot Street as this is where bottle necks and jams occur especially at peak times. Our Lifeboat crew will bravely put to sea to save you if you get into difficulties so please let’s all try to make their lives a bit easier so they can do their job.”

Linda Elms wrote: “We are only on the first bank holiday and these people risk their own lives on the seas for us all. Surely they don't need to risk their lives just trying to get to the station?”