FREE PARKING TO STAY FOR THE SUMMER
PARKING charges will resume at council-run car parks in Carmarthenshire at the end of the summer.
The Plaid Cymru-Independent administration voted for their reinstatement on September 1.
But members of the executive board have deferred a 20p tariff increase, which had been due to come into force on April 1 this year, until January 2021.
The authority’s 57 car parks bring in around £2.4 million per year – just over £46,000 per week.
Charging was suspended in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The authority will lose around £1.37 million of income with the March to September suspension.
It is eligible for reimbursement for the first three months of the lockdown from the Welsh Government, but not necessarily beyond that.
Speaking before the executive board meeting on July 27, Carmarthen shop worker Paul Wright said the current free parking has been welcomed by shoppers.
“I would say it has,” said Mr Wright, of Goldstone Books.
“As a general principle free parking would be great, but we understood the need for the council to have some revenue.
“The bigger picture for us is will people return to their normal shopping habits.”
From September 1, the council will revert to its ongoing pilot which offers free parking on dedicated days for each town centre, based on feedback from town centre traders and business forums.
Visitors will still be able to park for free at county council car parks until further notice on:
■ Monday- Wednesday, 10am to 2pm, at town centre car parks in St Clears, Newcastle Emlyn, Llandovery, Llandeilo and Ammanford
■ Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am-4pm, in Llanelli town centre (plus Saturday and Sunday at Coleshill car park behind Llanelli Town Hall)
■ Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3.30pm-6pm, in Carmarthen town centre
Councillor Hazel Evans, executive board member for environment, said: “I propose that we continue the free parking until September 1, throughout the whole of August, to draw in visitors and help parents wanting to shop for the new academic year, and to support the regeneration of our towns.
“Whilst this will have an effect on our budget, it’s important that we support regeneration whilst appreciating that funds from our car parks support public transport routes.
“We’ll continue to offer the free periods currently available to all towns.”