ANGRY traders in Lampeter say their businesses will be hit after Ceredigion County Council installed bollards in College Street in a bid to curb illegal parking.

The local authority has defended the measures, saying pavements in College Street and Bridge Street are being damaged by vehicles mounting the kerbs.

But shopkeepers say the bollards will affect goods deliveries and that the situation has been worsened by a lack of loading bays.

“There are no loading bays in either Bridge Street or College Street,” one businessman, who did not want to be named, told the Cambrian News. “Aberaeron, Llandysul, Aberystwyth and Cardigan all have them, but we don’t.

“At this rate we won’t be having lorries bringing goods into Lampeter any more. We’re paying £20,000 rates and are wondering what the future holds.”

County councillor Hag Harris said he feared the bollards could cause “traffic chaos” and criticised “a lack of consultation” with traders, suggesting not all avenues had been explored.

Cllr Harris told the Cambrian News he wanted the whole situation thoroughly examined and “all possible solutions” investigated. “It may be possible to shave a metre off the pavement to allow extra vehicular access in College Street,” he added.

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