CARDIGAN traders have expressed disappointment that Ceredigion County Council will not allow more free parking days in the run-up to Christmas.

And they have contrasted their position unfavourably with that in Pembrokeshire where shoppers will enjoy free weekend car parking for 10 days throughout December.

Cabinet members have approved free parking on 10, 17 and 24 December, but traders in Cardigan asked for the first Saturday in Dec­ember, 3 December, to also be included.

However, Cllr Alun Williams, the council’s Cabinet member for transport, said providing a fourth day seemed like too much of a Christmas present.

He said: “I think we’d be criticised if we left too big a Christmas stocking for one area of the community considering the pressures facing us.”

Keith Davies, treasurer of Cardigan Traders, said the move had not gone down well with members.

“We’re not happy because we asked for four free Saturdays which we felt was the least Ceredigion could provide,” he said.

“I suppose three free Saturdays are better than none, but considering the problems we’ve had here in Cardigan and the fact we’ve proved how shoppers are put off by having to pay to park you’d have thought the county council would have been more understanding.”

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