CARDIGAN shopkeepers are determined to keep up the pressure regarding the rising cost of car parking in the town centre.

At the June meeting of Cardigan Traders’ Association, members once again expressed their anger and dismay over the issue and called for local councillors to step in to help them put their case to Ceredigion County Council, which sets the fees for the town’s main car parks.

“It was good to see letters in the Tivyside backing our stance and we would welcome any response from the town council and county council,” said chairman Martin Radley.

“It is the locals they are hurting with these charges 365 days a year.

“And how is it that car parking in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire is so much cheaper? It is now time to say enough is enough.”

With competition from out-of-town shopping centres and online shopping, traders expressed the view that town centres were in danger of becoming ghettos, where no-one would want to go as small, independent shops felt the squeeze.

It was also argued that the rising cost of car parking was in fact, self-defeating. Many people were simply refusing to pay and as a result, revenue to the county council was actually falling despite the increases.

“They are cutting off their nose to spite their face,” said one trader. “If we were in France, there would be 20 tractors blocking the streets in protest at what is being done to the town.

“If this carries on, the scenario will be only empty shops. High rates and high car park charges are making it just about impossible to run a business.”