Clwyd MS Darren Millar has called for plans to widen the pavement along Prestatyn High Street to be scrapped.
Denbighshire County Council is leading a £3 million plus public realm regeneration project for Prestatyn High Street, funded by the UK Government, with works including widening select footpaths in the centre of the High Street, which would leave a large part of the High Street without parking nearby.
Darren is concerned that the reduction in parking in the town centre could have a damaging impact on local businesses and make it more difficult for residents, particularly older and less mobile people, to access the high street.
He is also concerned that it will impact events currently held in the High Street, such as the Classic Car Show.
The proposals have received a negative response from residents and businesses in the town.
Darren has therefore written to Denbighshire County Council calling on them to scrap the plans.
He said:
“I very much welcome the investment in Prestatyn High Street, but these proposals to widen the pavements are the wrong approach.
“Prestatyn is currently a thriving town which is accessible to all, and we need to ensure that it stays that way.
“Local shops and businesses rely on people being able to stop, park and spend money in the town and these changes will deter them from doing this.
“A poll recently conducted on Facebook demonstrated the public opposition to these proposals and I urge Denbighshire County Council to listen to the residents and traders and reconsider these proposals before it is too late.
“Officers need to go back to the drawing board and undertake a fresh assessment of how the High Street can be improved while protecting parking provision.
“Regeneration should strengthen Prestatyn High Street, not create additional barriers for those who want to shop, work and visit there.”
Cllr Anton Sampson said:
"A consultation has indeed been carried out, however none of the concerns from myself and residents have actually been listened to or addressed.
"I have had people with disabilities contact me saying that removing parking would conversely have the opposite effect of what the consultation process is trying to address. Many people with disabilities have benefited from being able to park close to our high street shops. Our high street is on a steep hill and walking from the nearest car park is not an option for many.
"Losing 20 or so parking spaces is totally unacceptable and would be another kick in the teeth for our struggling high street businesses and would force more people to shop in the retail park, thus ignoring our high street. I won't accept that.
"Levelling up funding was intended to enhance our high street and make it more attractive to shoppers and visitors, not to make it worse."
