Key streets to be pedestrianised
Council unveils plan to close off parts of towns to support traders
SOME streets are to be pedestrianised in Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli as part of a package of measures to encourage shoppers back into town centres.
Parking spaces will be e moved, speed limits lowered d and one-way pedestrian sys- tems put in place to allow w social distancing as part of a Carmarthenshire Council l recovery plan to help businesses get back on their feet.
SOME streets are to be pedestrianised in Carmarthenshire as part of a package of measures to encourage shoppers and visitors back into town centres.
Parking spaces will be moved, speed limits lowered and one-way pedestrian systems put in place to allow safe queuing and social distancing.
The move is part of a Carmarthenshire Council recovery plan to help businesses get back on their feet as coronavirus restrictions ease.
The temporary measures take effect in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford on August 3 and will be kept under review.
Council leader Emlyn Dole said: “These changes have been implemented after much consideration and within the boundaries of what the council can do safely and responsibly to protect businesses and visitors whilst also keeping our town centres flowing and operating well.
“We really hope that people will come back to our town centres and help them thrive again by shopping and spending their leisure time locally.
“We’re urging people to buy local and support Carmarthenshire businesses.”
The council is asking businesses which are interested in using extra outdoor space to get in touch about licensing requirements.
The pedestrianisation of streets in Carmarthen and Llanelli will be from 10am to 4pm and affect King Street, Bridge Street and Quay Street in Carmarthen, among others.
In Llanelli, the move affects Stepney Street and Cowell Street up to the junction of John Street.
There are fewer interventions for Ammanford, but they include a new walkway linking Wind Street and Lloyd Street, and pavement widening at the bus stop and on Carregamman Lane.
John Nash, the chairman of business group Carmarthen Bid, said he fully supported the proposals.
“It has been difficult times for everybody, and I think we have got to do our utmost to encourage people back safely into town,” he said.
The Bid group has 330 members and Mr Nash urged people in the area to support them as hospitality businesses finally reopen indoors on August 3, as long as they comply with social distancing requirements and coronavirus cases remain low.
“Some businesses are confident but there is still some fear out there, and we are not over this pandemic yet,” said Mr Nash.
Llanelli councillor John Jenkins said he felt the initial signs in his town were encouraging.
“Shoppers are returning and hopefully numbers will continue to grow,” he said.
“I’m hopeful and optimistic that the ‘new normal’ will see people shop local more than ever.
“The big chains will be okay.
“We now need to support local independent shops too and I’m confident Llanelli can rise to the challenge.”
Mandy Jenkins, manager of business group Ymlaen Llanelli, said it had been liaising closely with the county council on the new measures.
She said: “I think it’s brilliant.”
She said Cowell Street alone had five cafés, which could benefit from more outdoor space.
The indoor reopening of venues on August 3, she said, would be “massive” for footfall.
“When people come into town they like to have a coffee and they like to go to lunch,” she said.
She added that drivers would still be able to use the pedestrianised roads before 10am and after 4pm.
The public can give feedback on the new measures via an online consultation on the council’s website.
Cheryl Glover, who set up the Facebook group Let’s Make Ammanford Amazing!, said she also backed moves to encourage people into her local town.
“It has been quiet,” she said. “It’s really important to buy locally and use local services.
Mrs Glover said she felt a full pedestrianisation of Quay Street would help, enabling more outdoor eating and browsing and potentially music and bands.
She added: “The town will not flourish unless we all support it.
“If we do, we will have more and more shops supplying really interesting things.”