Road closures for a south Powys town centre, which were suspended temporarily as Wales was in Alert Level Four lockdown, were set to be re-introduced on Monday.

Powys County Council were due to re-introduce temporary coronavirus-related road closures on Brecon’s Struet and High Street Superior from Monday, April 12 as Wales gradually moves out of coronavirus restrictions.

As part of the closures, barriers will be placed across the road between 12noon and 4pm each day.

The road closure allows enough space during the busiest part of the day to ensure safe social distancing and be adhered to on the street whilst still allowing time in the mornings and after 4pm for delivered and other vehicles to use the road.

Struet and High Street Superior will join the existing coronavirus-related road closures that are already in place on George Street, Lion Street and Castle Street.

All the temporary road closures will only remain in effect whilst Welsh Government coronavirus restrictions are in place, with the town centre returning to normal when it is safe to do so.

Matthew Perry, the council’s Head of Highways, Transport and Recycling said: “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 our 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.

“We will be reviewing the current closures in conjunction with the Town Council and businesses over the coming weeks to evaluate any changes that are necessary to ensure the town centre remains safe, but also supports and enhances the economy of Brecon 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.”

Cllr Iain McIntosh, Cabinet Member for Housing,

Planning and Economic Regeneration, said: “I met with Matt Perry, Brecon Chamber of Trade and Tourism and local business owners about this earlier this week in Brecon. Powys County Council had been given the impression by local councillors that businesses had all been consulted about the road closures.

“They have not.

“Powys County Council are now keen to work with businesses going forwards, to include direct consultation, over what to do about this in both the short and long term.

“I believe a solution that keeps everyone happy is in sight. It would involve keeping the ability to have bollards in place, on a temporary and removable basis, to close roads during events such as Brecon Jazz, Brecon Food Festival and other events that may be in the pipeline.

“They could also be used to close the roads for short periods of time, such as weekends and evenings in the summer to facilitate an improved street scene and cafe culture, then return to normal during quieter week days and the winter.

“I have asked the council to put these ideas to consultation for businesses in Brecon as soon as possible.”