TRADERS in Penarth say ongoing work on a one way system in the town centre is pushing many business to the brink of closure - and have issued a rallying call to customers to ‘use or lose’ the town’s independent shops.

Construction of the Vale Council scheme began in January, with Glebe Street converted one-way in a southbound direction from Plassey Street to Windsor Road.

Work to build out pavements in surrounding roads is also under way, and Arcot Street has been made one-way in a northbound direction to include increased parking.

The £175,000 project, which is due to be completed at the end of June, has been implemented to improve traffic flow and increase parking in the town centre.

But furious shop owners say it has already damaged business - and some maintain that they were not consulted about the scheme.

Petra Aydin Barberini, owner of Rowley’s Jewellers on Glebe Street, said: "Shoppers are actually bypassing Penarth as a result of the roadworks.

"Local shops, who are already suffering the effects of the recession, have taken a further hit from a drop in customers.

“The roadworks provide a visual rather than physical barrier, making customers think that the town centre is blocked.

"Shop owners will not want to admit it, but business is bad," she added.

"We all objected to this but nobody at the Vale Council has been listening.

"They say consultation took place but I don’t know anyone who was contacted.

"We’ve been here for 47 years, but unless people start using the independent shops in Penarth then many will close."

The traffic scheme has been designed and tested on a computer programme used by the Vale Council - but traders say it doesn’t take everyday traffic conditions into account.

"They are building a bottleneck into the one way system which will create permanent gridlock in the town centre," said Stuart Merryer, who owns Chris Capus, a garden and pet supplies shop on Glebe Street.

"There’s a huge amount of delivery traffic and the new layout can’t cope with it.

"Soon the only way to get in and out of Penarth will be by boat!"

Chris Fletcher, who opened his Glebe Street fireplace business, Embers, in January, said: "The idea was to improve parking but all the council has done is take trade away."

Sian Osling, manager of Affinity bridalwear shop, added: "My biggest concern is that customers will find alternative places to shop and won’t come back.

"It’s a disaster."

Paul Gay, Vale Council operational manager for engineering design and procurement, apologised for the obstructions caused by the barriers in place around the town centre, but insisted there had been consultation on the scheme.

“The council apologises for any obstruction, but the safety of pedestrians and the workforce has to take priority,” he said.

“There has been considerable consultation regarding this scheme.

“The Traffic Management and On-Street Parking scheme currently under construction formed the basis for a bid to the Welsh Assembly Government some years ago for a grant from the Physical Regeneration Fund.

"The details of the bid were developed after considerable involvement of all interested parties and questionnaires were distributed and an exhibition held in the town centre in June 2006.

"This bid received the support of residents, traders, shoppers and visitors to the town.

“Although this bid was unsuccessful it was agreed that the scheme should form the basis for future works in the town centre with elements of the scheme being progressed as and when budget became available.

“The Traffic Regulation Orders for the current scheme had to be considered by the council’s Planning Committee and a report was presented in July 2009,” he added.

“This process required that Public Notice be given of the proposals. Notice was duly given and a number of objections were received (including some from individual traders) which were reviewed by Committee in September 2009. “A further report was submitted to Committee in December 2009 with details of the proposed finishes and final details of the scheme. All this information was in the public domain and received comments from various interested bodies including local residents, cycling groups and environmental groups.

"Discussions on some of the concerns raised are still on-going," said Mr Gay.

“Until the works have been completed and the parking restrictions established there is bound to be some disruption to through traffic, delivery vehicles and shoppers.

“The council is aware of these difficulties and is attempting to keep the disruption to a minimum.

"This problem is exacerbated by drivers parking in inappropriate places and the police have been requested to be more vigilant and take action when appropriate. “Discussions are still ongoing between officers of the council and the traders to attempt to address any specific concerns as the works are progressing.”

The traders are also concerned that without a recognised traffic warden employed in the town, the new one- and two-hour car parking restrictions will not be enforced.

It was thought the Vale Council was due to employ new wardens, but a council spokeswoman said: “It is currently the responsibility of the police to enforce illegal parking on the highway.”