Solution for town centre

I WRITE to comment on the recent ‘vision’ statement from the county council regarding Llanelli town centre.

Firstly, it seems ludicrous that we charge visitors to park in the town centre which is run down; but in the successful and frequently visited Trostre and Pemberton parks, parking is free.

It makes little sense to charge people to park in the town centre while another department spends money to regenerate the same.

A possible argument that must be resisted is the claim that if parking is free, all those working in town will park there.

This is easily dealt with by making parking up to four hours free, and charging for any parking over four hours, with punitive rates coming in after six hours.

Llanelli town centre is structured on a roughly west to east basis along Stepney Street, The Market/Elli Centre/Precinct axis and Murray Street. While W/E and E/W routes are encouraged and are straightforward, north/south access is not so good.

Access to Market Street could be improved by providing a pedestrian entrance on the northern side of the main dome area of the precinct/Elli Centre. There are two trade entrances here at present and one could be converted to a shoppers’ entrance.

This would allow foot traffic heading up or down Stepney Street an alternative route into the precinct. This would have a positive impact on the eastern end of Stepney Street and Market Street.

If Murray Street is going to be redeveloped, it’s important to have an attractive entrance to the Market Hall from the south. There are three entrances at present: two designated as traders’ entrances and one for shoppers. All are gloomy and depressing, and all of these need to be developed and made more attractive to shoppers. If the area behind the Con Club is to be developed, it needs to be connected to the rest of town. This would be best done by redeveloping the sloped traders’ entrance on the south-west corner to welcome and invite shoppers.