Plans for four Ceredigion towns to keep and expand on some parking and one-way restrictions introduced as part of ‘safe zones’ during the pandemic are “not a back-door to pedestrianisation”, councillors have heard.

At a special meeting of the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday, councillors heard of plans to keep widened pavements, parking restrictions and new one-way systems in Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, New Quay and Cardigan.

A report put before members said the proposals were “part of the process for making selected parking and traffic flow elements installed temporarily in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to be made permanent features.”

The current orders restricting parking, vehicle access, and widened footpaths begin to end in October 2022, the report adds, with the council now finalising plans to keep elements of the controversial schemes permanently.

At the meeting, Cllr John Roberts raised concerns that the changes were being used as a “back door” to introduce ‘active travel’ and pedestrianisation on the back of the pandemic, and said that “any restrictions need to benefit everyone”.

Council officer Russell Hughes-Pickering told the meeting that is was “not a back door” to pedestrianisation, adding the measures “would support the towns going forward.”

Cllr Alun Williams said he was “broadly in strong support” of the proposals for Aberystwyth, but Ystwyth ward councillor Meirion Davies said people in his ward tell him that “going to Aberystwyth now is a nightmare.”

“All of this keeps people away,” he said.

Aberystwyth councillor Ceredig Davies said that residents are “bearing the brunt of these traffic orders” and called for a “full assessment” of the impact of the current restrictions and the new plans on all traders in the town instead of “doing it on the hoof.”

Cllr Elizabeth Evans said it was “key” to increase accessibility to Aberaeron for everyone, but admitted that the measures has “left the community divided.”

Cardigan councillor Elaine Evans said that it was “important” to make access to the town “as easy to as many people as possible”.

The proposals will next be presented to Cabinet for final approval in January and will be subject to a minimum six-month period for public objections.

Pick up a copy of this week’s Cambrian News to see how the plans will look in your town