Opponent (From Penarth Times)

Opponent

I WAS surprised to read the recent letter from Graham Robertson, chairman of the Penarth Society, concerning the experimental traffic scheme at Penarth Town Centre, in which he asserts that the entire Penarth Town Council were in favour of the scheme.

As a member of the council representing the St Augustine's ward in which the scheme is operating, I have at no time voted in favour of the scheme, and expressed my concern at the potentially harmful effect it might have on local traders to Mr Barrett, the town manager, when he made his scheme presentation to the council.

Since the scheme has been implemented, the results, amongst others, have been the deprivation of 12/14 parking spaces at Lower Glebe Street, which were in a prime position for access to all shopping facilities, especially for the disabled; serious traffic congestion in Ludlow Lane; severely increased difficulty in accessing commercial premises by suppliers' delivery vehicles; and, in the long term, the creation of a mainly desolate pedestrian zone, which will, with its surrounding areas, become devoid of much of the shopping and visiting public.

In my view, the scheme has proved to be unworkable from an environmental and commercial viewpoint, and I'm sure many of your readers would welcome having Mr Robertson's specific recommendations for its continuance.

Councillor Ruby Osborne Windsor Terrace Penarth