The aim is to cut congestion and encourage people to cycle or walk to work

Retailers in the city said that not enough publicity had gone out about the event and were angry that no extra buses were put on for shoppers.

A survey carried out by Cardiff Initiative showed some businesses reported a 10% drop in sales.

But Cardiff Council said it had received positive feedback.

The poll by Cardiff Initiative, an organisation which promotes the city, showed that many shops and businesses along the main St Mary Street - which had been closed to traffic on 22 September - claimed to have seen a dip in takings on that day.

Poor promotion of the event meant that most people saw it as just another road closure Paul Williams, Cardiff Initiative

"The event is being viewed as a failed effort, as no additional public transport services were available to give car users a viable alternative," said city centre manager for Cardiff initiative, Paul Williams.

"St Mary Street was closed to all cars for 12 hours on but kept open for buses, taxis and deliveries.

"Routes into the city announced the event on the electronic message boards, but didn't explain what it was all about.

"Poor promotion of the event meant that most people saw it as just another road closure," he said.

And Helen Conway, the chief executive of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce agreed.

If we wish to see a decline in car use in Cardiff we must lobby the Welsh assembly for a change in transport policy Helen Conway, Cardiff Chamber of Commerce

"Rather than highlighting environmentally friendly methods of transport all the event managed to highlight is Cardiff's traffic problems," she said.

"Both Arriva Wales and Cardiff Bus are already running at full capacity, and with no park and ride scheme in place, many drivers could not simply leave their car at home.

"If we wish to see a decline in car use in Cardiff we must encourage environmental groups to follow the example of the business community in Cardiff and lobby the Welsh assembly for a change in transport policy.

"Only through a continued and sustained action will changes come about.

In Town Without My Car Day was well publicised and feedback from many members of the public was positive Spokesman, Cardiff Council

"The Welsh assembly and Cardiff Council must work with bus and train operators to improve services before they can encourage more drivers to go car free," she added.

But a spokesman for Cardiff Council defended the organisation of the event.

"'In town without my car' day is a European-wide initiative which many cities in Wales, such as Newport, took part in this year," he said.

St Mary Street was closed to traffic

"St Mary Street in Cardiff was closed to traffic throughout the day which gave people an opportunity to see what Wales' most busiest street looked like without cars, vans, buses and lorries.

"Cardiff Council worked together with Cardiff Bus and Arriva trains who were willing partners.

"In Town Without My Car Day was well publicised and feedback from many members of the public was positive," he added.

Over 1,130 towns and cities across Europe took part in the initiative

The event, which encourages people to leave their cars at home for a day, is designed to encourage public awareness of cutting pollution in urban areas.