Businesses 'severely impacted' by new parking charges

Barry Island is one of the seaside locations where council leaders agreed to scrap free parking

Local councillors say businesses have been "severely impacted" by new car parking charges at two seaside locations.

In March, the Vale of Glamorgan Council introduced plans to scrap free parking at Barry Island and Penarth seafront, despite warnings from local businesses that it would harm trade.

After a review, the council decided to continue with the charges, saying the money raised would help support the area's coastal resorts and attract tourists.

However, Plaid Cymru councillor Nic Hodges criticised the decision, saying it puts livelihoods and "the small business fabric of our communities" at risk, calling it "myopic decision-making".

Previously, businesses feared the impact that not having two hours free parking would have on their quieter months in the winter, and petitions opposing the proposed charges received thousands of signatures.

Concerns were also raised about the current state of some of the car parks put forward for charges, particularly Penarth Cliff Walk where one trader claimed an elderly man fell and broke his hip.

But in July, the council announced that on-street locations in Barry and Penarth would be affected by new parking charges.

The council also proposed to charge for parking seven days a week between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00, with a maximum stay period of four hours.

These charges were £2.50 for up to two hours, and £6 for up to four hours.

The council will review the changes after two years

Mr Hodges said he has already been contacted by local traders affected by the new parking charges, despite warning earlier this year they would "damage businesses".

"Given this real-time information, we believe that Labour should reverse this decision with immediate effect," he explained.

Fellow Plaid Cymru councillor Mark Hooper added that he also had opposed the charges from the start and urged the council to "admit they were wrong and change direction".

In response, council leader Lis Burnett said in July the charges aim to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, prevent parking abuse, and increase space availability.

She added that income raised would fund local improvements, with parking free before 10:00 BST and a four-hour limit to encourage turnover.

In March, the council also approved charges for off-street coastal car parks in Ogmore, Barry, and Penarth, and confirmed plans to close the Court Road multi-storey in Barry.

The council will review parking charges at on-street sites in Barry Island and Penarth 24 months after implementation.