Future of Welshpool one-way system to be debated

The future of Welshpool's controversial one-way system will be debated by county councillors for the first time on Friday.

Powys County Council's environment and crime and disorder scrutiny committee will be given a progress report by Councillor David Jones, who has been studying the system and problems that have arisen from it over the past seven months as well as listening to residents' opinions.

Councillor Jones' report is expected to have views from pedestrians, bus passengers, motorists and taxi drivers.

Writing in Guilsfield's Spotlight newsletter, he said: "It has certainly made traffic queues much longer in the town and has led to a number of collisions, some involving pedestrians.

"I will be looking for comments from drivers, bus passengers, pedestrians, taxi drivers, indeed anyone who travels through or works in Welshpool."

The system has repeatedly come under fire since it opened in February, with some traders, including high street chain M&Co blaming it for a downturn in trade.

Welshpool town councillor Dr John Morgan revealed he was keeping a log of all incidents which happen on the system.

He decided to start making the log, which he will present to Welshpool Town Council's finance and general purposes committee on September 21, after he was nearly run over.

He said: "It is clear to all that the one-way system is a complete shambles. After seven months bedding in people are still going the wrong way.

"I was almost mown down stopping a car leaving Church Street and attempting to go up Brook Street, but that is not the end of it."

But last week Robert Robinson, town clerk, said motorists were partly to blame for the incidents.

He said the town council and Powys County Council would be working hard to iron out problems, rather than just 'rolling over'.

He said: "This is not a system which the town council is responsible for, we did get involved in making it happen but Powys County Council and the Welsh Assembly are in charge."

Friday's meeting will be held at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells at 11am.

By Andrew Morris