BUSINESSES in Cardigan are being urged to have their say on the pedestrianised safe zone introduced into the town by Ceredigion council.

A survey of shops, cafes and bars has been launched by Cardigan Traders which is looking to find out what the business community feels about the changes.

Cardigan Traders vice-chairman Julian Beynon-Lewis said: “It is all about trying to find out a true picture of how it is working and what people would like to see in the future.

“Some might be doing well out of this, others not and so far there has been very much a mixed response but our big concern is that this will be introduced on a permanent basis without any proper consultation.

“The safe zones consultation the county council conducted generalises about the whole county, yet Cardigan and New Quay are very different to Aberaeron and Aberystwyth.

“For example, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron’s main streets are not closed and the geography is very different. Their car parks are not at the bottom of steep hills.”

A letter outlining concerns and how to access the survey has been sent out to all town businesses and retailers.

It states: “There are many problems. Pendre car park licence holders have not yet been refunded.

“There is no footway from Quay Street car park to ensure safe pedestrian access.

“Residents in the Mwldan area have all of the town traffic diverted in front of their own door steps, again with no pavements.

“There has been no attempt whatsoever to manage pedestrian movements in the town (surely the priority in social distancing – after all, we have to manage it in our own shops.

“Blind and partially sighted persons have to negotiate a minefield of tables, chairs, signs and barriers on and off the pavement. Disabled and frail and elderly persons are not able to access shops and essential services and all persons are forced to walk through crowds from the car parks through pinch points, making social distancing impossible.

“We have gathered evidence to back up our findings. Overall football in the town since the street closures is down about one third on the same period last year, despite record accommodation bookings.

“Footfall into the market is down 50 per cent compared with the same period last year, even though there are many more stalls there this year. Many businesses say they are concerned about survival if this scheme stays.”

Results from the survey will be passed on to the county council, local councillors, AM and MP.