Back our one-way protests

 

The Welshpool Projects Business Forum says trade is down because visitors are put off by the new road system introduced in February of last year.

 

At its monthly meeting this week, the group called for the reintroduction of a two-way system the length of Union Street from the Church Street junction to Raven Roundabout. They also called for a new road to be built linking the by-pass at the Railway Station Junction to Union Street.

 

Alan Ballard of Ballard’s Garage said the new system was a ‘disaster’. “Red Bank has become the new by-pass with people taking short cuts rather than travel into town,” he said. “I met 38 cars when walking home for my lunch today.”

 

Councillor Philip Pritchard described the one-way system as ‘a complete disgrace’ and announced he had lodged a formal complaint with the Audit Commission.

 

He asked: “I want to know who suggested this scheme in the first place. Powys Council has confirmed it was not their proposal so who was behind it? The one-way system was not a condition of Tesco coming to town so who wanted it?”

 

Town Clerk Robert Robinson said he would ensure that the proposal went to full council next Wednesday.