DENBIGHSHIRE County Council’s (DCC) plans to introduce a one-way system in Rhyl has received mixed reviews from officials.

The plans propose to turn the county’s main streets into one-way systems, encouraging social distancing among pedestrians as the coronavirus lockdown eases in North Wales.

If given the go ahead, footpaths would be widened on the eastern side of Bodfor Street, with some parking moved to the other side of the road.

However, proposals have been met by criticism from Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies who says he was “disappointed by the relatively short consultation period” granted to opponents.

Dr Davies objected to narrowing of streets around the one-way system in Rhyl and a reduction in on-street parking, designed to increase pedestrian and cycle access.

In a letter to DCC chief executive Judith Greenhalgh, he wrote: “The anecdotal feedback I receive from business owners is the cost and availability of nearby parking, coupled with the one-way systems in place throughout the town, already discourages shoppers from visiting Rhyl town centre. To further reduce parking would be damaging – a mistake I feel may cause an irreversible harm for some businesses.”

However, Cllr Joan Butterfield, who represents Rhyl West which Bodfor Street comes under said all Rhyl members of Denbighshire County Council present at the consultation were ‘in agreement’ that the plans were ‘workable and that they were ‘happy’ to see it in Rhyl.

Cllr Butterfield added: “Of course, it is very difficult to see how it will work in practice from the model we were show, and I dare say there may be some teething issues.

“One thing we were all very clear about was that if any of the measures became problematic for disabled shoppers and parking, we would want to see them moved.

“But that is the redeeming feature for me of the plans, everything is movable. We’ll just have to suck it and see.

“If Dr Davies has any reservations, it would be good for him to speak to the Rhyl County Councillors who were present at the consultation.”

Similar one-way system schemes are also planned for Ruthin and Llangollen after Welsh Government awarded the council £981,000 for “Local Sustainable Transport” plans.

Plans for Rhyl also propose a scheme to make visibility better at the Bodfor Street, Queen Street and Russell Road junction near the Town Hall.

Vale of Clwyd MP Dr Davies added that he was 'extremely concerned' that the reduction of on street parking would not take into account those who have reduced mobility.

He said: "The new layout and increased street furniture will do little to support those partially sighted, the disabled, and parents with young children."

In response to concerns raised, Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for waste, transport and the environment, said: “The Council would like to thank members of the public and businesses for taking part in the consultation for active travel in Denbighshire.

“Across the four schemes being proposed we have had more than 1,600 responses during the consultation which has been running for two weeks.

“Over the coming weeks we will be analysing the feedback and then we will discuss the results with elected members before a final decision on each of the schemes is made at the end of August.”