Changes to one-way system drive forward

The proposals put forward by a taskforce of councillors and highways officials in a bid to make the town's one-way system safer will be discussed by members of Powys County Council's Montgomeryshire committee on Wednesday.

Ideas due to be debated include bringing in pedestrian crossings or merging lanes in the town centre.

The system has been criticised as "dangerous" and "an accident waiting to happen" and people are seen driving the wrong way around it.

Just last month, Councillor Anne Holloway, town and county councillor for Welshpool, warned it is only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured.

This year a review by Powys County Council highlighted a number of changes which needed to be made.

Tony Caine, the council's road safety and traffic systems manager, said: "A number of findings were reached following a meeting earlier this year including changes to parking restrictions/spaces as part of the wider parking review for the whole town.

"There are also proposals for the merging lanes by the Spar on Church Street, a pedestrian crossing facility by Spar on Church Street, traffic calming and pedestrian crossings and herringbone parking on Broad Street, one lane up Broad Street and High Street, and a through lane on the bypass roundabout by the railway.

"Other suggestions included providing an additional road sign on Brook Street by the library and updating signing to permit effective enforcement of existing restrictions.

"The parking restriction changes will be included within the review of parking restrictions for the whole town."

He said consultation has been undertaken with the town council and the draft suggestions will be reviewed with the Welshpool county councillors before being brought to a future Montgomeryshire Committee meeting.

Councillors will discuss changes on Wednesday in the council's Neuadd Maldwyn chamber at 10am.