PROPOSALS to pedestrianise parts of Cardigan town centre have sparked a huge debate.

The plan was put forward at a meeting of the town council where it was suggested banning vehicles from the castle to the Factory Shop could help shops reopen when lockdown restrictions are eventually eased but social distancing rules might still apply.

The suggestion was that the narrow high street in Cardigan would not be suited to social distancing and people might step into the road and put themselves in danger.

Any decision on pedestrianizing the high street would have to be made by highways bosses at Ceredigion County Council and the idea has met with a mixed reaction.

One shopkeeper who contacted the Tivyside but asked not to be named said: “If they go ahead with pedestrianising the town even temporarily it will kill our already Covid-struggling businesses.

“Just a question - have they even asked the traders how they feel about this? We are an ageing town and have a huge number of elderly and young mums with or without disabled children who need to park in the streets.

“Please go through the old Chamber of Commerce notes from the early to mid-1990s, it was on most months’ agenda.

“Seriously you will put most of us out of business and don’t forget we need the tourists to come through our town if we’re going to get out of this Covid situation.”

Julian Beynon-Lewis, from Cardigan Traders which represents many of the town’s shopkeepers, said: “My history is of fighting this over the years as generally our research has shown that in most small towns like ours where it has happened, it is not successful and keeps passing trade out of the town.

“We have to compete with the likes of Tesco, Aldi and B&M where you can park for free. All our car parks charge and are at the bottom of the hill and if no cars could park in the main street, the elderly or the disabled could not come shopping in town.

“I just don’t think Cardigan is suited to it really and even if it is a temporary measure, my fear is that things like that then become permanent.

“And for any shops operating click and collect, it would also be detrimental.”

But some shoppers backed the proposal.

“Great idea, should be permanent. Cardigan is a fantastic shopping centre and would be even better pedestrianised. Plenty of car parks around,” said Jackie Shaw, whose comment on the Tivyside Facebook site was echoed by several other.