Editor

The article on page 4 of this week’s Cambrian News (3 September) and Cllr John Roberts’ letter outlining concerns over the council’s pedestrianisation of Aberystwyth and other towns, make interesting reading.

Whilst I totally agree with the points made, and appreciate Cllr Roberts’ efforts in stating his opinions publicly, I cannot help but think that councillors are and trying to absolve themselves of all blame.

I contacted my own local councillor with concerns over this and was told “we have to see how it goes”, and that the situation would be monitored and changes made if needed.

Clearly then, the council does not see the need for the most vulnerable in society to access the opticians, or dentists etc, or changes would have been made by now.

People complain that the disabled slots in Laura Place are not being used. That is because they are too far away from the centre of town and do absolutely nothing for accessibility.

What about those with chronic illnesses like ME/CFS, Ehler’sDanlos Syndrome etc? They are amongst a group where, in many cases, they need to be dropped off directly outside where they need to go. The pathetic response of the council stating to go before 11am, clearly shows their total ignorance concerning these illnesses, and other disabilities, which make this impossible.

Ceredigion County Council’s leaders and ‘Gold Group’ should be utterly ashamed of themselves, depriving people of the basic health necessities ‘til most likely 2022. But what does it matter if a few vulnerable people suffer, as long as visitors to the town can have a cup of tea and a cake outside cafés in the lovely Welsh winter weather?

I find it quite ironic that a Plaid Cymru-led council like Ceredigion has behaved in such an authoritarian manner. They purport to be ‘the party of the people’ and on social media their members frequently call out the Tories for their right-wing policies. How hypocritical.

The irony goes even further when the Tory-led council of Pembrokeshire has, more democratically, decided to consult with its residents and businesses before bringing in any similar measures. Plaid Cymru are not selling the idea of independence very well here, if this is how they treat their vulnerable residents when obtaining power. A person can tell a lot about the culture of an area by the way its vulnerable residents are treated.

While the councillors may not have been directly responsible for this situation, they appear to have done little to support their residents who are suffering because of these closures.

They perhaps need a reminder that the local elections will be upon us soon, and that the only power residents have to enforce change is at the ballot box. I for one intend to use that power as I feel it’s time for county councillors to stand up and look after the people they are supposed to be representing.

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