Town must get used to driving one way

A Welshpool councillor and county business leader says the town's one-way system is here to stay.

 Steve Kaye, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in Powys and a member of Welshpool Town Council, said there was no chance of Welshpool’s one-way system being axed after a decision by Powys County Council officials.

It has ruled the road layout should remain in place after a review lasting several months.

He said only 1,000 people out of the town’s population of 5,000 had completed a survey seeking views about the one-way system through the town centre, and spoke of his frustration at the failure to bring about change.

According to research carried out by members of a Powys County Council-commissioned committee, only 37 per cent of people in the town backed the one-way system.

But committee members have ruled changes to the layout – which could cost up to £20,000 – were ‘unwarranted’.

The findings will be presented to the authority’s cabinet in the new year.

Councillor Kaye said: “Getting rid of the one way system is not going to happen. It is staying there and that will not change.

“Welshpool Town Council is powerless to change it. All we councillors are is a voice for the people of Welshpool.

“It is frustrating for me. I am not paid to sit on the town council, I sit there because I am proud of the town.”

Councillor Kaye said fears had been raised that the road was causing a drop in trade for town businesses but added the current economic climate was also to blame.

He said: “With the traders, there are a handful of people who are not happy. They feel it is stopping them trading.”

Councillor Kelvyn Curry, who led a review into the road system, said a further remodelling would cost £20,000.

His report said: “The implementation of the one-way system has been blamed by traders as significantly affecting their businesses.

“But other factors such as the opening of the Tesco store, the move of the livestock market, the recession and a greater move to internet shopping are also contributing factors.”