ABERAERON traders have been left ‘tearing their hair out’ due to ongoing works over the town’s safe zone, according to one disgruntled councillor.

Cllr Phill Davies claims some visitors are being put off from journeying to the seaside resort as it has been left ‘an unsightly mess’ with fewer available parking spaces.

Since the safe zones were reinstated by Ceredigion council’s Gold Command Cllr Davies said he was constantly being asked by residents if the local authority were ‘trying to ruin Aberaeron’.

“They may not be trying, but they are most certainly succeeding,” he said.

“They have started more work in the tourism centre, closing off a large part of the car park in Pwllcam as well as dozens of other parking areas.

“All this to actually end up with fewer spaces than we had originally, in a town where space is at a premium.

“The last few days have seen cars circling the one-way system in a vain attempt to park, and many give up and leave.”

Cllr Davies forecast that people would ‘vote with their feet’.

“They are going elsewhere - to the cost of local traders,” he said.

“To say that there is anger locally is a huge understatement - traders and residents are tearing their hair out.”

Ceredigion County Council maintain that despite ‘some disruption’ the end results would enhance the town.

A spokesperson said: “The Safe Zones have been introduced to create safe and welcoming towns for people to enjoy whilst adhering to the social distancing requirements and allow businesses to trade whilst complying with the current restrictions in place.

“In Aberaeron, improvements are being made to the Pwll Cam area where the raised sections are being lowered down to the level of the existing footpath, which will create a wider and more accessible space for people to circulate around the harbour whilst continuing to allow parking.

“New and additional seating space will be provided which, once completed, will be better for those visiting."