NEARLY 40 businesses in Hay-on-Wye are demanding an urgent re-think on controversial plans to pedestrianise large parts of the town centre.

Officers at Powys County Council are looking at shutting a series of roads to traffic in the popular town to create more space for shoppers to social distance.

The council has said the closures - which affect Castle Street, Castle Lane, Market Street, High Town and Lion Street - will remain in place for the “foreseeable future.”

Many traders in the town are concerned about the impact the road closures will have on their businesses, which have already taken a massive hit because of the pandemic.

Thirty-eight companies have fired off a letter to Hay Town Council, Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe, Cllr Heulwen Hulme, departing Senedd member Kirsty Williams and MP Fay Jones.

The note reads: “As a group of local businesses, we are concerned about the lack of consultation on the proposed pedestrianisation of Hay that will affect many people and businesses in the town.

“Although these claim to be part of temporary coronavirus safe distancing measures, we feel that because of the resources being allocated to this project, along with the lack of transparency, there is a long term agenda.”

It is feared the pedestrianisation will cause many locals to start shopping elsewhere, meaning some business will become unviable and it will cause “irreversible damage” to the local economy.

The letter explained: “We need to look after the residents’ everyday needs and not just create a cafe culture for visitors.”

Powys County Council has said the closures will be in place from 12noon until 5pm every day of the week.

The business owners said: “These proposed changes will exclude the disabled and elderly, who will be unable to access goods and essential services in the town centre.

“The removal of disabled parking spaces in Memorial Square is also unacceptable.

“Preventing deliveries as well as loading and unloading for businesses in the town centre will cause severe problems.

“People need to be able to call into town quickly and easily to pick up essentials, without the hassle and expense of parking in the main car park.”

The letter added: “These proposed changes will exacerbate the challenges that all shops in Hay face with the move to online shopping.”

A consultation survey carried out by the town council had 228 respondents, which accounts for only 15 per cent of the town’s population.

The annoyed traders said: “Hay needs help to get back on its feet and although tourists are important, we need year-round support from people living in Hay and the surrounding areas.

“Imposing these restrictions will not encourage people to come and shop in Hay.

“We urgently request Hay Town Council and Powys County Council to consult with us and reconsider this proposal.”

Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones visited Hay-on-Wye late last week to meet with business owners and discuss their concerns.

She said after the visit: “I have spoken to a number of local residents and businesses on this issue, I share the concerns that have been raised.

“I am anxious to make sure those with a Blue Badge are still able to reach the services they need - such as the pharmacist.

“I have made a proposal to Hay Town Council that they reduce the hours to 4pm instead of 5pm and I would welcome short term free parking being made available elsewhere in the town. Above all, I am seeking cast iron assurances that this restriction will only last the remainder of the coronavirus pandemic.”

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The temporary Covid-19 related road closures introduced in towns across Powys, including Hay-on-Wye, are not permanent.

“The part-time measures see barriers placed in the road between 12noon and 5pm each day. This allows enough space during the afternoon to ensure safe social distancing can be adhered to on the street and the opportunity for businesses to utilise the space outside their premises, whilst still allowing time in the mornings and after 5pm for deliveries and other vehicles to use the road.

“These measures are supported by Hay on Wye Town Council and the Hay on Wye Chamber of Commerce and the businesses they represent.

“There is no quick fix to recover from this global pandemic and we must accept that social distancing and the need for personal protection measures will be with us for some time. To ensure local businesses remain viable we must do our best to keep everyone safe, allowing pedestrians and shoppers the space they need to stay safe and visit the town centres with confidence.

“To make sure our town centres remain both resilient and safe during the coronavirus pandemic, it has been necessary to find practical solutions to allow businesses to trade whilst ensuring social distancing measures can be maintained.

“If, in the future, the town wanted to introduce similar types of measures on a more permanent or seasonal basis, there would first be a formal consultation to ensure all stakeholders were able to contribute before a decision was made.

“We understand that these temporary Covid-19 related road closures are a divisive issue and it is a balancing act taking into account the opinions and needs for all the different business and residents within the town.

“Together with the local councillors, our town centre liaison officers have been working with the town council, local businesses, and communities throughout this process. Their cooperation has been invaluable and very much appreciated.”

Members of Hay Town Council have insisted the road closures are “temporary measures” driven by social distancing regulations and stressed they will be removed when restrictions are lifted.

The council said: “It is purely to enable businesses to meet these regulations, otherwise they simply would not be able to open.

“During the recent lockdown with only limited businesses open, the measures were not necessary but as all shops and other businesses start to reopen we must once again heed these restrictions.

“We are working to keep everyone safe, allowing pedestrians and shoppers the space they need to maintain social distancing and visit the town centre with confidence.”

The authority added: “Aside from High Town the measures are much the same as were introduced last year apart from the start time being pushed back from 11am to 12noon.

“This was felt to give residents a reasonable amount of time to shop in the mornings as the ‘essential’ shops tend to open earlier.

“High Town has been treated differently because on a number of occasions the council has been told of the danger to pedestrians from vehicles having to drive on the pavement to pass the parked cars.

“The removal of the parking spaces and reducing this narrow road to one way traffic will alleviate this safety concern. That said, this is also a temporary measure.

“There is no plan by Hay Town Council to permanently pedestrianise the centre of Hay and there is confirmation from the Traffic Officer at Powys County Council that the measures would be withdrawn once the Welsh Government lifted the coronavirus restrictions.”

Hay Town Council members explained: “In August 2020 we approached Powys County Council to ask if Memorial Square Carpark could be opened for Blue Badge Holders, this request was refused.

“We are committed as a Town Council to keep the measures under review.

“What would be useful is for businesses and residents to provide us with actual examples of difficulties they have faced not anticipated examples. This will give us much stronger evidence to present to Powys County Council.

“We are really not trying to make things difficult for anybody and there is certainly no intent to create a ‘café culture’.

“These measures are driven solely by the requirements of the coronavirus restrictions and will be removed once the Health Protection regulations are withdrawn.”