A ROUNDABOUT is the only solution for Cardigan's "eyesore" Tesco junction and the Welsh Assembly must be pressed to sort the matter out soon.

That's what local councillors told Ceredigion's AM Elin Jones when they met with her this week to discuss the latest decision by Minister Andrew Davies to keep the junction closed "indefinitely".

"Whoever designed that junction should get 10 years in jail," said Cllr Melfydd George.

And Cllr Mair Morris added: "This is the main entrance to the town. It is an eyesore and an embarrassment for the town. A lot of money is being spent to raise the profile of the town and this is what people see on the way in."

The Minister has shelved plans to install traffic lights and reopen the road, because of "possible developments" planned nearby. A site near to New Mill Road is the subject of planning permission for a new food superstore.

"We have fought for 10 years for a permanent plan there. They have wasted money closing the junction and on the preparatory work for the lights. They had already done research on the roundabout and everyone agrees that is the way forward," said Cardigan mayor, Cllr John Adams-Lewis.

"Even if there are to be developments there we will need a permanent solution and we should not have to wait any longer," he added.

Cllr Morris said the planned superstore site is outside the Unitary Development Plan boundary. "It has been left out of the plan, so there may not be any more development there. And a field nearby has been cut out of the UDP by the planning inspectors, so there is not much chance of development going ahead on that one either. It would be difficult to overturn the UDP now."

Councillors disagreed about whether traffic lights should be installed as a temporary measure, but they were unanimous in agreeing that a roundabout or gyratory system was the preferred permanent solution.

Cllr Wynne Evans suggested that the developers of the Bathhouse site, where there is a planning application for a superstore, new hospital, housing and a hotel, were currently putting pressure on the Assembly to construct a roundabout at the junction.

Cllr Melfydd George pointed out: "That site will generate huge amounts of traffic, maybe as much as 400 cars an hour, there will have to be better access."

Elin Jones said she will contact Andrew Davies and bring more information back to the council as soon as possible.