Councillors clash on future of pedestrian scheme

CARDIGAN town councillors remain divided over the future of the town’s extended pavements, which were introduced by Ceredigion County Council during the Covid-19 pandemic as a safety measure.

Calls for the removal of the pavements were made last month, with several members describing them as an unwelcome reminder of lockdowns and social distancing. Councillors said the pavements had served their original purpose and were no longer needed.

However, during Tuesday night’s meeting, Cllr Richard Jones expressed support for keeping the wider pavements, describing them as a benefit to the town.

“I think they are a good thing,” he said. “They make the place look busy and give it a kind of European feel. The time for consultation is over. This was discussed at county council level, and none of our councillors attended.”

Cllr Jones was responding to a letter from former town councillor and disability rights campaigner Morvenna Dorita, who criticised the push to remove the pavement extensions. Ms Dorita, who is a wheelchair user, argued that the changes made the town safer for disabled people.

Her view was not shared by all present. County councillor Sian Maehrlein said there were ongoing concerns from residents about the pavements.

“Word on the street is that most people want these pavements gone,” she said. “Some disabled residents have said that, because the tactile paving hasn’t been pressure-washed, it’s hard to tell the difference between the pavement and the road.

“I believe the town would be better and safer if they were removed. Whatever we decide, half the town will support it and the other half won’t. We’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.”

Cllr Nick Bolton also opposed the extensions, suggesting that street furniture from cafés posed more of a hazard.

“These pavements impede people’s right of passage,” he said. “If they were removed, we could fit in more delivery bays on the high street.

“The county council said they’d maintain them and make them safer, but they haven’t spent a bean.”

County councillor Clive Davies reminded members that the county council made the decision to make the pavements permanent in 2022, and any removal would now require a fresh consultation.

He added that, if the town could secure a new street scene grant, there may be scope to improve the overall layout of the high street.

“We could look at bollards to provide better protection for disabled pedestrians,” he suggested.

It was agreed to invite county council officers to visit Cardigan and assess what improvements could be made to the street scene.

STARTING this month, over 600,000 pensioners across Wales will see their State Pensions rise by up to £470 annually, following the UK Government’s adherence to the ‘triple lock’ policy. This policy ensures that pensions increase each year by the highest of average earnings growth, inflation, or a minimum of 2.5%.

Government’s Position

The UK Government has emphasized its commitment to supporting pensioners through the triple lock. In a recent statement, it was noted that this commitment would result in the State Pension increasing by up to £1,900 over the course of the current Parliament.

Opposition and Think Tank Critiques

However, the policy has faced criticism from various quarters. The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns about the real impact of the pension increase, pointing out that due to the freezing of income tax thresholds, a significant portion of the pension rise could be offset by increased tax liabilities. They estimate that a typical basic rate tax-paying pensioner might see 77% of the pension increase negated by these tax measures.

Additionally, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has questioned the sustainability of the triple lock mechanism. They argue that while the policy aims to protect pensioners’ incomes, it may not be the most efficient approach and could lead to unpredictable fiscal burdens.

Pensions Minister’s Stance

Torsten Bell, the newly appointed Pensions Minister, has previously described the triple lock as “rubbish” and advocated for its replacement with a system that aligns state pension increases with benefits for jobseekers and the long-term sick. Despite his past remarks, recent reports indicate that he is now “fully committed” to maintaining the triple lock.

Economic Implications

Financial experts have also highlighted potential unintended consequences of the pension increase. The freezing of personal tax allowances means that some pensioners may find themselves pushed into higher tax brackets, thereby reducing the net benefit of the pension rise. This situation underscores the complex interplay between pension policies and tax regulations.

In summary, while the increase in State Pensions is a welcome development for many Welsh pensioners, it has sparked a broader debate about the effectiveness and sustainability of the triple lock policy, as well as its interaction with the broader tax system.

PROPOSALS to overhaul the way local bus services are planned and delivered across Wales have been published today, with the aim of improving services for passengers and encouraging more people to use public transport.

A new Bill has been laid before the Senedd which, if passed, will grant powers to establish a fully integrated bus network that puts passenger needs first.

Key proposals include creating one network, one timetable, and one ticket system across Wales. Services will be designed based on local knowledge but coordinated nationally by Transport for Wales, working in close partnership with local authorities and Corporate Joint Committees. The new system would primarily operate through franchised contracts delivered by private, public, and third sector operators.

Welcoming the Bus Services (Wales) Bill, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said the legislation had the potential to transform bus travel for communities across the country.

“This is a historic day for public transport in Wales as proposals for bus reform begin their journey through the Senedd,” said Mr Skates. “This is about putting people first—offering one network, one timetable and one ticket across Wales.

“Change is needed. While some areas are well-served, it’s not the case everywhere. I want a bus network that is reliable, affordable, easy to use, and better integrated with other modes of transport such as trains and active travel.

“The benefits are clear: improved access to services, greater equity for those most reliant on public transport, and a meaningful alternative to car travel.”

Buses carry around 190,000 passengers a day in Wales and account for three-quarters of all public transport journeys. The Bill aims to address common barriers to bus use—such as poor reliability, lack of ticket interoperability between operators, and weak links with other transport modes.

The public will benefit from clearer, easier-to-navigate timetables and more seamless transitions between buses and trains. Ticket revenue will be reinvested across the country, improving services in both rural and urban areas.

Mr Skates highlighted current examples of successful integration, including the TrawsCymru T1 service, which already offers joint bus and rail tickets, and the 1bws ticket in North Wales, valid on almost every local bus in the region.

“These examples show what can be achieved with joined-up thinking,” he said. “I don’t underestimate the scale of change this Bill represents, which is why the rollout will happen region by region. But when complete, it will be truly transformational.”

The rollout is expected to begin in South West Wales in 2027, followed by North Wales in 2028, South East Wales in 2029, and Mid Wales in 2030. However, Mid Wales will benefit from earlier improvements through the Bridge to Franchising programme, already underway.