Free parking Christmas gift on offer from council

SHOPPERS and those visiting town centres will once again be able to park free of charge in Rhondda Cynon Taf this Christmas.

It comes after the council announced it would introduce free festive parking throughout December for the fourth year in a row from 10am each day.

It will take effect across all councilowned and managed car parks, and is in a bid to encourage more people to shop locally over Christmas.

It means visitors to Aberdare and Pontypridd town centres will benefit from free parking, while car parks in Tonypandy, Porth and Mountain Ash are already free on a permanent basis after the council scrapped charges in April 2017.

Disabled people can continue to park for free at all times in designated disabled bays when they display their blue badge, the council added.

Although free parking will last for the entire month of December, those visiting Aberdare or Pontypridd before 10am will need a valid parking ticket displayed until then.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council and cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: “This is the fourth year that the council has introduced free parking throughout December, to help residents and visitors take advantage of all that our town centres have to offer in the run up to Christmas.

“Earlier this year the council introduced free parking in Tonypandy, Porth and Mountain Ash alongside reduced charges in Pontypridd and Aberdare – and as part of that decision, cabinet also agreed for free Christmas parking to continue in Aberdare and Pontypridd.

“In delivering upon that commitment, the council is encouraging residents to enjoy the busy festive period in our towns – including the Christmas town centre events being held throughout December in Porth, Mountain Ash, Llantrisant, Aberdare, Treorchy and Ferndale.”