PLANS for a new short stay car park in Cardigan are not the answer to the town’s chronic parking problems argues a leading shop owner.

Ceredigion County Council want to convert the 22-space Pendre car park from a permit holders only area currently used by many of the town’s traders to a short stay car park.

The cash-strapped authority argues that will benefit shoppers, disabled drivers and could also generate more money.

Cardigan Traders chairman Martin Radley said they were opposed to the plans and this could in fact make parking issues in the town even worse.

“At the moment, even if the car park stands half empty it is still generating income as people have paid for their permit,” said Mr Radley.

“If they get rid of that scheme, I would hope they offer people a competitive rate to park at somewhere like Maes Mwldan.

“However, parking is a nightmare in the town at the best of times and especially in the summer and I can see it being even worse with this plan. It is opposite the busy Bathhouse road and getting in and out will be a nightmare.

“If it is not enforced properly, people will just park there and risk an extra half an hour or an hour - whatever they can stretch it too.”

He argued that more parking was required and at a reasonable rate.

“What about the hospital site once the new healthcare centre is built?” he suggested.

“It is only a five minute walk from the town and could be ideal.”