CARDGAN high street could be turned into a pedestrian zone as and when coronavirus lockdown restrictions are relaxed on non-essential retailers reopening their doors for business.

The majority of Cardigan’s small, independent shops, along with its cafes and pubs, have been closed throughout the pandemic.

But with measures possibly being relaxed by Welsh Government in the near future, Cardigan does not want to be caught cold as and when any decisions are made.

At June’s meeting of Cardigan Town Council, Mayor Cllr Clive Davies said: “I was wondering how social distancing could be implemented in the town and whether we could ask the head of highways at Ceredigion County Council as to what considerations are being given to opening up again.

“There is also the question of deliveries being made.

“The pavements in some places in Cardigan are very narrow and cars and people do not mix when people are trying to avoid each other by two metres.

“Should we look at a temporary road closure at the castle and bring traffic up into Pendre?

“If people are having to queue outside shops, others will have to step into the road. We have to look ahead and we need to know what are the plans for Cardigan.”

Cllr Richard Jones said the worst area in the town centre was from Dewi James to the Guildhall.

“That’s where the pavement is narrowest and I would like to pressurise the county council to make it pedestrian only. We have discussed this in the past and this is an ideal opportunity,” said Cllr Jones.

“Perhaps we could close the road from the castle to the Factory Shop.”

Cllr Yve O’Neill said any such considerations would have to take into account problems it would cause with bus routes and to those with mobility problems and blue badge holders.

“I cannot se how it could work,” she said. “It would have to be all or nothing.”

Councillors agreed to write to the county council to find out what it was planning.