A NEW one-way system WILL be introduced to Penarth Town Centre - despite residents and traders raising concerns about the scheme.

Vale of Glamorgan Council planners rubber-stamped the £175,000 plan at a meeting last week.

The move will see Glebe Street made one-way from Plassey Street to Windsor Road.

Work is expected to start in January 2010 and a number of new one- and two-hour car park spaces are also set to be introduced to the town.

But, as previously reported in the Penarth Times, many traders believe the plan could drive traffic away from Penarth - and towards out-of-town supermarkets.

They would prefer to see the one-way system run in the opposite direction - from Windsor Road to Plassey Street - to keep traffic flowing through the town centre, but South Wales Police vetoed this on safety grounds.

In 2004, traders were infuriated when the street was blocked off at the junction with Windsor Road.

The move was scrapped after shop owners complained that customers were being driven away from the town centre.

Some now fear that introducing a one-way system will have a similar effect.

Dave Lush, of D.A Lush Butchers on Glebe Street, said: “I'm certainly not 100 per cent for it.

"It would be much better if the one-way system ran from Windsor Road, but I can't say it's not going to work until it's been tested out.

"People were up in arms the last time Glebe Street was changed.

“But we've never had parking like there will be with this new scheme."

Vale Council planners have moved the start date of roadworks from October to January after business owners expressed concern that they would run over the Christmas period, having an adverse effect on trade.

Rob Thomas, head of planning and transportation, said: "The plan was considered by Planning Committee and there was a detailed debate on the merits of the scheme. “All representations were taken into account before committee members agreed the scheme in principle, subject to a further detailed report on the design of the scheme which would include the materials to be used and information on the quality of the public realm works.” Arcot Street residents are concerned about increased parking and have launched a proposal to plant trees in the carriageway to slow traffic - and for a contraflow cycle route to be included in the plans to give cyclists access to the Cardiff Bay Barrage and Pont-y-Werin.

Arcot Street resident Sandy Booth said: “Returning this part of Penarth to a tree-lined avenue as it used to be would be positive for all those using the town centre, as well as for residents of the street.

“It would also mean that instead of simply turning our community into a car park for shoppers and traders, the Council would be giving us something positive in return.’’ The residents are also concerned that the one-way scheme will increase traffic speeds. Gareth Clubb, also of Arcot Street, said: "We’re really worried that all the extra parking and the likelihood of traffic going faster once the street is one-way will be dangerous for pedestrians.

“Arcot Street has a number of older residents as well as young families.

“We want our street to be a safe and welcoming place, not a car park or a rat-run."

Mr Thomas confirmed that Vale Council officials would be visiting the site before work begins next year.