More details have emerged this week about plans to pedestrianise town centres in Ceredigion to allow for social distancing.

The plans being drawn up by the council include banning traffic on some roads during the day, creating more outdoor space for shops, cafés and pubs, and a loss of town centre parking spaces.

The changes will be put in place “as quickly as possible”. And our historic county towns with narrow footways and traffic running through them, will look different to how they did a few months ago, once the changes are made.

A spokesperson said: “Plans are being put into place to create safe zones for pedestrians in Ceredigion town centres. To do this, spaces for traders will be redefined, some roads will be closed to traffic, pavements will be decluttered, visitors will be asked to park away from the town centres for free and signage will be introduced to help visitors maintain safe distances.

“Most of the county’s towns have an historic street layout with narrow footways and traffic running through them, so as businesses reopen and visitors return to these areas there is insufficient space for people to keep a safe distance from one another.

“Our towns will look different to how they did a few months ago but changes will mean businesses can reopen safely whilst also ensuring residents’ and visitors’ health and safety can be maintained.

“The plans being developed by council officers include closing off roads to traffic during the day to create more space for shoppers to walk safely, particularly as large numbers of tourists and students return to the county. It’s also aimed at helping businesses too by creating more outdoor space for retailers and the hospitality sector to trade. It is important that the council acts quickly to put arrangements in place as quickly as possible and these initial arrangements will be continually reviewed.

“To do this, spaces for traders will be redefined, some roads will be closed to traffic, pavements will be decluttered by removing street furniture (and other items), visitors will be asked to park away from the town centres for free and signage will be introduced to help visitors maintain safe distances.

“These changes will protect the community and people’s health whilst ensuring businesses can still trade.”

The plans could see cars banned temporarily from Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and Cardigan town centres.

Cardigan councillor Catrin Miles welcomed it as a “golden opportunity”.­

She said: “This is a golden opportunity to ensure that any changes or additions to Cardigan town centre are improvements that take into account our children and young people, disabled residents and elderly population, as well as maximising opportunities for our high street independent businesses.”

As we reported last week, there was mixed reaction in Aberystwyth, with one shopkeeper opposing the plan, saying it would take shoppers away from the high street.

Further information on the safe zones will follow, the county council said.