Signs at Goodwick say car parks are closed but they're open
Upon closer inspection there is a small handwritten message on the signs which says that the car parks will be closed next weekend from midnight on Friday, June 5 to midnight on Sunday, June 15.
However, drivers are seeing the signs and leaving the car parks, as you have to get close to see the small handwritten amendment.
This is leading to concerns that there will be a huge drop in visitor numbers to the Ocean Lab café, giftshop, catch and release aquarium run by marine conservation charity Sea Trust.
The signs appeared on Friday, June 6.
It is true that the car parks will be closed next weekend for the Wales Triathlon but they are most definitely open this week.
Cliff Benson, founder of the Sea Trust Charity that runs the Ocean Lab says that the signage is "misleading and ridiculous" and that it will turn visitors away from this popular attraction.
'The car parks on Goodwick Parrog around the Ocean Lab are not closed, despite what the confusing and botched signage says,' said a disgruntled Cliff.
'As you enter the car parks, there are big yellow and black signs, saying the car parks are closed. They are not closed.'
Cliff said that most people coming to visit Ocean Lab will turn into the car parks, see the signs and turn around.
The majority of drivers will not notice the handwritten amendment saying that the car park is closed next weekend, he stressed.
'Basically our customers at the Ocean Lab will be turned away by signage that is misleading and ridiculous,' added Cliff.
'The car parks are open right up to next Friday, when they will be closed for two days for the Wales Triathlon. The café will be open all week and for the Triathlon at the weekend.
'I wonder who is responsible for this totally un-professional and misleading signage on the car parks?'
Cliff asked the local community to share the information that the car parks are open until midnight on Friday, June 13.
The Western Telegraph has contacted Pembrokeshire County Council and the Wales Triathlon for a comment.
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Western Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire County Council apologises for 'misleading' parking signs
The Car Park Closed signs sprang up last week at the Parrog car parks in Goodwick. Upon closer inspection there was a small handwritten message on the signs which said that the car parks would be closed this weekend from 9am on Friday, June 13 to midnight on Sunday, June 15. (Image: Cliff Benson) However, the signs were sending drivers away from a car park that was open all week, as drivers saw them and turned round rather than getting very close to read the small handwritten amendment. This in turn was affecting the Sea Trust charity's Ocean Lab visitor centre on the parrog, including the popular, café, aquarium and gift shop. Cliff Benson, founder of the Sea Trust Charity that runs the Ocean Lab said that the signage was 'misleading and ridiculous' and would turn visitors away from this popular attraction. (Image: Cliff Benson) He said that the signs were 'confusing and botched' and that Ocean Lab customers would be turned away by the 'misleading and ridiculous' signage. The car park is closed as part of the Challenge Wales Triathlon. Cliff added the said that he understood that the signs were not put up by the triathlon organisers. "We at Sea Trust support the triathlon and all the good it does for the twin towns," he said. "As a local marine conservation group the triathlon highlights the quality of the bathing water in the harbour which is very positive for people and for wildlife." (Image: Western Telegraph) Pembrokeshire County Council has apologised that the dates on the signs had been added in small handwriting and said that the 'misleading' signs had now been replaced. 'The signs did have the dates on – we apologise if the writing was small,' said a council spokesperson. 'We have replaced the signage. To be clear – the car park will be closed this weekend due to the triathlon.' (Image: Western Telegraph) Cliff expressed his relief that the sings had now been taken down and replaced by clearer ones. 'I am sure it was a mistake and am pleased that they have tried to rectify the situation,' he told the Western Telegraph. The Parrog car park will be closed between 9am today, Friday, June 13 and midnight on Sunday, June 15. The Wales Triathlon will rake place in Goodwick on Sunday, June 15.
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08-06-2025
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Signs at Goodwick say car parks are closed but they're open
Signs have been put up on the Goodwick Parrog car parks which read that it is closed. Upon closer inspection there is a small handwritten message on the signs which says that the car parks will be closed next weekend from midnight on Friday, June 5 to midnight on Sunday, June 15. However, drivers are seeing the signs and leaving the car parks, as you have to get close to see the small handwritten amendment. This is leading to concerns that there will be a huge drop in visitor numbers to the Ocean Lab café, giftshop, catch and release aquarium run by marine conservation charity Sea Trust. The signs appeared on Friday, June 6. It is true that the car parks will be closed next weekend for the Wales Triathlon but they are most definitely open this week. Cliff Benson, founder of the Sea Trust Charity that runs the Ocean Lab says that the signage is "misleading and ridiculous" and that it will turn visitors away from this popular attraction. 'The car parks on Goodwick Parrog around the Ocean Lab are not closed, despite what the confusing and botched signage says,' said a disgruntled Cliff. 'As you enter the car parks, there are big yellow and black signs, saying the car parks are closed. They are not closed.' Cliff said that most people coming to visit Ocean Lab will turn into the car parks, see the signs and turn around. The majority of drivers will not notice the handwritten amendment saying that the car park is closed next weekend, he stressed. 'Basically our customers at the Ocean Lab will be turned away by signage that is misleading and ridiculous,' added Cliff. 'The car parks are open right up to next Friday, when they will be closed for two days for the Wales Triathlon. The café will be open all week and for the Triathlon at the weekend. 'I wonder who is responsible for this totally un-professional and misleading signage on the car parks?' Cliff asked the local community to share the information that the car parks are open until midnight on Friday, June 13. The Western Telegraph has contacted Pembrokeshire County Council and the Wales Triathlon for a comment.
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