THE Mayor of Ruthin has hit back at claims that he backed plans for a one-way system in Ruthin as it would 'benefit' his own business.

Over the last two weeks, a petition opposing plans to introduce one-way restrictions on Market Street and Well Street has collected more than 500 signatures, despite most of the work already having been completed.

Changes will see Market Street become one-way, moving away from St Peter’s Square, and Well Street will also be one-way in the direction of St Peter’s Square.

The plans have had the backing of the town’s mayor Gavin Harris, who runs the Manorhaus hotel and restaurant located on Well Street.

In response to claims made on social media that he backed the scheme as it would benefit his business, Cllr Harris said: "In accordance with regulations governing elected officials behaviour, I acted within my role as a local representative - especially as the scheme was a Denbighshire County Council-run project.

"When Ruthin Town Council discussed it, I have declared an interest as our property is on a length of street affected. Accusations that our business stand to benefit are false. Actually, the scheme is likely to be detrimental if anything, as guests who currently can stop on a 10 minute single yellow to drop off bags and check-in won’t be able to do that.

"As for parking impact, we don’t have our own car park, and since opening in 2002 have purchased annual Long-Stay parking permits for each of our 8 guest rooms. These allow guests free parking across the County and we promote as an enhanced benefit of staying with us. Even if a permanent one-way scheme allowed for some additional parking on the street, we would maintain the permit offer as it is more suited to our guest experience.

Our regular customer emails often include information on events or initiatives in Ruthin, and through the targeting means of our sendinblue mailing software, we can target emails to particular customers by location or interest. We sent an email to a proportion of our mailing list to inform about the proposals for Ruthin and Llangollen (we have boutique B&B’s in both towns), to encourage them to participate in the consultation. The mail campaign report shows of 1,645 who opened the email 6% clicked through to the consultation page - so a small impact of influence."

Cllr Harris added: "Since becoming a Town Councillor in 2008 I encouraged the development of a public consultation process so that the town had a strategic approach to supporting or instigating projects and initiatives that are derived from the communities ideas and involvement.

"This developed into the Ruthin Future Place Planning initiative which after 2 years of public consultation events and exhibitions saw the Ruthin Future Plan published in 2012.

"It was a Beacon for Wales project, won a UK action for Market Towns award and formed the basis as a template for Welsh Government / Design Commission for Wales Place Planning policies across Wales as an example of community engagement in relation to place planning.

"The project most desired and supported by the community within that plan in 2009 and 2012 was the idea to for a modest one-way triangle approx 300m length - to allow an improved Town Square (removal of a 1950’s roundabout) with additional public space, convenient parking, safer crossing points etc, whilst maintaining vehicular access.

"Projects delivered that were identified in Ruthin Future 2012 plan included improved safer Entrance to Cae Ddol Park, development of Active Travel routes and the development of an Art Trail."

"In light of Welsh Governments announced Covid active travel fund, DCC developed proposals that would meet the policies criteria of boosting pedestrian and cycle access and safety to town centres, by developing proposals for local towns for 18 months of likely Pandemic impact.

"For Ruthin they based their plan on the long-held ambition for a one-way, and saw this as an opportunity to address the brief requirements and to test and learn how a one-way would work - allowing adjustments through a temporary scheme as necessary.

"RTC were consulted and supported this ambition - RTC’s only direct involvement has been to be consulted on the planter colour and bollard style (Ruthin is a conservation area), and RTC’s agreement to maintain / water any plants that would be included."