Plans would see drivers hit with new parking fees
MOTORISTS could be hit with new parking charges proposed in the Vale of Glamorgan.
On-street parking could be introduced on Barry Island and the town centre, Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major as part of a new strategy prepared by Capita which will be considered by Vale of Glamorgan Council.
Charges could be introduced at car parks in Barry, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major which are currently free, and controlled residents parking zones are being considered to manage the impact of the changes.
Visitors to Cosmeston Lakes could also be charged for parking as arrangements at the Vale’s two country parks are also reviewed.
The changes which, if imposed, could generate an annual income of £1.5m for the council, will be discussed by the cabinet on Monday.
Here is what is being proposed: Town centre car parks Charges would be introduced at a number of car parks in Barry, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major – and they would become either short stay or long stay car parks.
The short stay car parks would be free for up to two hours, £1 for up to three hours, £2 for up to four hours, £5 for up to five hours and £6 all day.
Car parks where charges would be introduced, which are currently free:
Barry: Kendrick Road, Thompson Street and Wyndham Street.
Cowbridge: The Butts, Town Hall Square, Southgate.
Llantwit Major: Boverton Road, Le Pouliguen Way, Town Hall (Burial Lane), Wine Street.
Long stay car parks would be free for up to two hours, £1 for up to three hours, £2 for up to four hours, £4 for up to five hours and £5 all day.
These charges would be introduced at two car parks in Barry – the Court Road multi-storey and the Civic Centre in Holton Road, which will open on weekends and bank holi- days. Capita proposed the new charges following a review of town centre parking charges across Wales.
Its report says: “It is clear from this evidence that the tariffs proposed in this strategy offer value for money for shoppers, commuters and visitors in comparison to other town centres across Wales.” On-street parking On-street parking is being proposed in town centres in Barry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth, and also on Barry Island and Penarth coastline.
Motorists parking onstreet in the Vale’s town centres would be free for up to one hour, £2 for up to two hours, £4 for up to three hours, £5 for up to four hours, £6 for up to five hours and £8 all day.
In Barry, the charges would affect Holton Road (from Everard Street to Broad Street), Buttrills Road, Broad Street and Thompson Street.
In Penarth, Windsor Road (from High Street to Stanwell Road), Glebe Street (Plassey Street to Windsor Road) and Stan- well Road (Windsor Road to Hickman Road) would be affected.
In Cowbridge, charges would be introduced in Westgate Street (Llantwit Major Road to The Broad Shoard), High Street (The Broad Shoard to The Limes) and Eastgate Street (The Limes to Aberthin Road).
In Llantwit Major, Boverton Road (Le Pouliguen Way to East Street) and East Street (Boverton Road to Church Street) would be affected.
At Barry Island and Penarth Esplanade, onstreet parking charges during the summer would be £2 for up to two hours, £4 for up to three hours, £6 for up to four hours, £8 for up to five hours, and £10 all day.
During the winter, parking at these locations would be £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to three hours, £3 for up to four hours, £4 up to five hours and £5 all day. Coastal car parks Charges could be brought in the following coastal car parks which are currently free:
Barry: Cold Knap and Bron Y Mor.
Llantwit Major: Cwm Col Huw.
Ogmore by Sea: Portabello.
Penarth: Llwyn Passat, Cliff Walk.
Southerndown: Farm.
New charges for all coastal car parks would apply from 8am to 8pm.
During the summer, from March 1 to October 31) the charges would be £1 for up to an hour, £3 all day and £12 for buses and coaches.
During the winter (November 1 to February 28), the charges would be 50p for up to an hour, £1.50 West all day and £6 for buses and coaches.
An annual season ticket for all coastal car parks would cost £150. Country parks Parking charges for Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, where it is currently free, would be brought in under the proposals.
The cost to park at Cosmeston or Porthkerry Country Park would be £1 for up to two hours, £3 all day, and £10 for buses and coaches. This would be the same all year.
An annual season ticket for both country parks would cost £75. Why is proposed? It would cost the council £1.9m to install the pay and display machines and necessary infrastructure to start enforcing the parking charges.
A public consultation could be launched on August 6. this being
The council says it has to save £17m over the next three years, with its Neighbourhood Services and Transport department having £827,000 cut from its budget in 2018/19 alone.
Maintenance and regulation of parking spaces cost £360,000 per year.
A report which will be considered by cabinet says: “There is a need to recoup this cost and to seek additional income that can then enable reinvestment in the fabric of the car parks and assist other services the council provides to continue; including investment in town centres, infrastructure and the country parks.
“A parking strategy can also strengthen economic and regeneration opportunities by introducing improved more efficient car park management and they can improve user experience and access to services.”