FRUSTRATED traders in Glebe Street, Penarth, have complained that the Vale of Glamorgan Council has ‘left them out to dry’ following the introduction of the one-way system to the street last year.

Traders complained the plan could drive traffic away from Penarth - and towards out-of-town supermarkets - when it was implemented.

They wanted 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.

Now frustrated shop owners say business has been damaged by the scheme and that council support hasn’t been forthcoming.

Stuart Merrey, who owns garden and pet supplies shop Chris Capus on Glebe Street, is particularly annoyed that signs promised by the council for Plassey Street - directing customers to Glebe Street - haven’t been provided.

“Since February last year we have lost money every month, and that is down to a lack of people coming to Glebe Street,” said Stuart.

“They promised, as a compromise, that there would be signs on Plassey Street to direct people here - but there is nothing.

“I’m convinced they don’t wan’t shops on Glebe Street because we get no help at all - it’s ridiculous.

“We said the one way street should be put in the other way but they said no because their computer programme said otherwise.

“They think they know better than the traders, that’s the problem," he added.

“It’s an absolute farce.”

“It’s definately quieter,” agreed Shannel James of Brutons Bakers, Glebe Street “And people are still moaning there aren’t enough car parking spaces.”

The £175,000 project, completed at the end of June, was implemented to improve traffic flow and increase parking in the town centre - but the traders have also suggested that without a recognised traffic warden employed in the town, the one and two-hour car parking restrictions are not being enforced.

“People used to come in straight off the main street, but now they can’t do that and they know they probably won’t get a space so they just carry on to Cardiff,” said Pravin Patel, co-owner of Glebe Street technology shop Media Touch.

“It’s done nothing for us.”

Richard Hogg of Lush Butchers said: "Because they aren’t policing the street, people aren’t keeping to the one hour rule and are just parking there all day, so there is no flow and no benefit really.

“As a result people don’t even bother coming to Glebe Street because they know they won’t get a space - so there are less customers.

“There also needs to be more diretion around the one way system and if the signs on Plassey Street were promised, they should have been put in too.”

For Petra Aydin Barberini, of Rowley’s jewellers, another problem is lorries parking outside her shop, hiding it from view.

"Originally the Vale planned for a loading bay to be put in place outside our shop, but we submitted an objection which was upheld by the planning committee on the grounds that it was unsuitable,” said Petra, who has run the business for seven years.

The council enforced a ‘no loading at any time’ zone as well as double yellow lines outside the shop but according to Petra, both are regularly ignored.

"The abuse of these rules by these huge trucks is horrendous,” she said.

“The front of our shop has effectively become a loading bay despite the regulations, with the one way system grinding to a halt because drivers refuse to follow the law.

“Not only is it inconvenient and detrimental for the business, as people can no longer even see us from Windsor Road, but it is also highly dangerous.

“There are also two drop kerbs outside to ease crossing the road for anybody using wheelchairs or prams, but these are continually blocked by the trucks.

"Customers have been able to park outside the shop for 48 years and suddenly it's not allowed," she added.

“As a result many of our customers, particularly the elderly, disabled and young parents with prams, have lost all access to us.

“The one way system and re-design may have added a few new parking spaces, but it has caused a number of problems in the process and is irrelevent anyway without a parking attendant.

“The whole thing has been a step backwards in my opinion.

“I wouldn’t be suprised if it meant the end of some independent businesses here.”

The Vale Council says it carefully considered all options before implementing the one-way system, and that signs directing traffic to Glebe Street are being looked at.

"An appropriate design for the signs originally proposed is still being considered," said Andrew Loosemore, operational manager for highways and engineering.

"Any signs proposed have to be approved by the Welsh Assembly Government as they will be non-standard, and this takes longer than normal.

"The enforcement of the parking restrictions is a matter for the police, and any issues relating to this should be reported directly to them.

"The Council currently has no powers or responsibility to deal with these issues.

“Parking of trucks and obstructing the road is also a matter for the police and should be reported to them immediately," he added.

"The traffic management arrangements at the lower end of Glebe Street were determined after considerable consultation with cycling and pedestrian groups and have been designed and installed to current highway standards.”