THE state of overflowing guttering and dirty pavements is having a detrimental impact on Cardigan.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the town council, with the High Street, Pendre and Priory Street highlighted as areas of concern.

Cllr Graham Evans said: “I have had lots of complaints after the last heavy rain.

“The gutters on some buildings are choc-a-bloc. This came up two years ago but it seems nothing has been done.

“I suggest we get in touch with all the local shops and landlords to ask them to check their guttering and keep them in good order. If that does not work, I don’t know what the next step is. Perhaps we hire a cherry picker to get the job done ourselves?”

Cllr Steffan Morgan added: “When we were putting up the Christmas lights there were hundreds of pigeons and they were nesting in the guttering. It’s a real problem.”

Cardigan mayor Cllr John Adams-Lewis also raised the issue of the state of the pavements in the town.

He said: “The pavements in the town centre are a mess. If you go up the street it is difficult not to stand in bird mess.

“I know it is the responsibility of the county council but they don’t have the resources and I just wonder if some of the shopkeepers could take on some of that work.”

Cllr Richard Jones asked if it was possible for work to be carried out on guttering during the dismantling of the Christmas lights in January but town clerk Wynford Jones intervened and stressed the legal and insurance issues involved.

Following a suggestion that the council might charge property owners/landlords for the work, the clerk responded by stating that it would be quite impractical, with the possible scenario of a dispute between the council and customer.

He added that it was not in the remit of the town council to intervene in matters of maintenance of private property and that the county council has responsibility for maintenance and cleaning of footpaths and walkways.

Cllr Catrin Miles added: “We have had many complaints and we need to check with Ceredigion County Council to see where we stand and what can be done.”

It was agreed that the clerk produces a leaflet requesting property owners/landlords to take action to clean and make safe all guttering on their establishments.