Free parking in short stay car parks

PERIODS of free parking in councilrun short stay car parks have been introduced across Carmarthenshire as part of a new pilot initiative.

From Monday, visitors to the county’s main towns are now able to park for free if they arrive and stay within certain hours.

The initiative has been launched by Carmarthenshire Council to support town centre traders.

Visitors will still need to obtain a ticket and display it as normal, however the ticket will be issued with no charge at the following locations and times during the pilot:

■ Ammanford – Monday to Friday, 3.15pm – 6pm

■ Carmarthen – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3.30pm – 6pm ■ Llanelli – Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am-4pm

■ Llandeilo, Llandovery, Newcastle Emlyn and St Clears – Monday to Wednesday, 10am – 2pm

The pilot is in addition to the five free parking days the council offers town centres every year, which makes more than 15,000 free spaces available to complement preplanned events.

So far this year, the council has provided free parking on a number of days, including in all its car parks along the Tour of Britain route in September; for the Carmarthen Gwyl Canol Y Dre in July; a fair trade awareness day in Newcastle Emlyn in March; and a Food and Drink Festival in Llanelli last weekend.

Stephen Pilliner, head of highways and transport, said: “This pilot initiative has been brought in as a way of supporting traders during the days and times they have told us are their quieter periods.”

Free parking will only apply between the hours specified for each town and free parking will only apply to those using the short stay parking bays.

Visitors will still need to obtain and display a ticket, but the ticket will be issued at no charge during the specified periods

Long stay parking will operate as normal during the free periods. Parking during all periods outside the specified days and times will need to be paid for.