THE ‘safe zones’ in Cardigan and New Quay will continue following a consultation exercise carried out by Ceredigion County Council.

Safe zones have been created in the two towns, along with Aberaeron and Aberystwyth, in response to the coronavirus pandemic to create safe, inviting towns for people to come shopping and to enjoy.

More than 2,000 responses were received to the consultation, with mixed opinions expressed.

Overall, 64 per cent either agreed or strongly agreed with the principle of creating safe zones.

Other findings were that:

  • 51 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that the safe zones enable people to visit towns safely (38 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed)
  • 37% think the safe zones have a good or very good impact on businesses (26 per cent said bad or very bad)
  • 52 per cent think they have a good or very good impact on atmosphere in towns (27 per cent said bad or very bad)
  • 52 per cent think the impact on disabled people, Blue Badge holders and the elderly is bad or very bad (nine per cent said good or very good)

A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “With the easing of the lockdown in the county and with social distancing requirements still being important, it was necessary for Ceredigion County Council to make adjustments to the towns for public health reasons.

“The zones were introduced on July 13. Following feedback from those who got in touch with their views and comments, we have made some changes where appropriate including provision of additional disabled parking spaces in the locations identified on the maps, in particular in Aberystwyth and Cardigan.

“In addition to the consultation outcomes, a continued review of all relevant data, including public health, actual and projected visitor numbers, suggests that there is a continued need for the safe zones.

“A new traffic order is being put in place, enabling road closures to be implemented for up to an 18-month period from August 24.

“The current view is that the safe zones will need to be in place until at least October, but this will be continually reviewed and amended if needed and in line with the number of coronavirus cases in the county. Many aspects of the zones are being looked into as to how they can be developed and improved, including access.

“The results of the survey are encouraging however it has highlighted some areas that the council will need to concentrate on improving. 52 per cent think the impact on disabled people, Blue Badge holders and the elderly is bad or very bad.

“We have created more disabled parking spaces and are looking to make further improvements where possible. We are meeting frequently with Ceredigion Disability Forum to identify and solve disabled access and car parking issues.

“Further engagement will be held in the near future to see whether these zones should be repeated in future years and what the council needs to do to make them work better.”