Shop Owners in Bridgend say a new plan to allow drivers back into the town centre will be a boost to local trade. The town centre was pedestrianised in 2004, but Bridgend council is considering plans to re-allow traffic following years of decline.
Bridgend town centre traders say people have been avoiding their shops because of pedestrianisation. Now the council has unanimously backed a motion to reopen some streets to traffic.
Mike Smith who owns a shop in the town centre welcomes the news.
“All we need is the customers to come in. You know, we want Bridgend to thrive. All I can say is the way it was before that it was pedestrianised, Bridgend was a totally different place. It was a lot more busier, and this is what we want. We need it to come back. So, you know, if it means we do a trial period, see what happens, let’s do it. I mean, the bollards are down in the evening and first thing in the morning. So why can’t we just do it for the daytime, as well?”
Mike’s not the only one, Megan Jenkins a shop worker at The Photo Expert hopes this move will attract more people to the town centre.
“People are not around to spend money anymore,” says Megan. “People don’t visit high streets anymore. I think people think shopping online is easier. It’s more convenient, they don’t have to pay extras for parking, you can just do it all from the comfort of your home and I think that’s why a lot of people tend not to visit high streets anymore, to be honest”.
But some parents are worried more traffic could be a danger to children. Jody Clark has a four-year-old daughter.
“My daughter scoots around the town. And I think she’s so used to no cars at the moment, and a lot of children are the same. It’s going to be a bit of a shock for the children as well.”
Bridgend Council say they will consider fears about traffic safety. A full council meeting in January heard there had been no accidents on the pedestrianised streets in the last three years during times when they were open to traffic between 6pm and 10am. Nothing has been confirmed yet, Bridgend council didn’t respond to our request for information. But other towns will be watching closely at a time of decline on many high streets.