Parking charge for Cosmeston (From Barry And District News)

Parking charge for Cosmeston

BARRY families may be forced to stop visiting one of the Vale's best-loved beauty spots due to a council cash crisis.

The local authority are considering charging visitors to popular tourist attraction Cosmeston Country Park in a bid to raise funds.

An investigation, which is due to be completed in June, has recommended charging for the car park at the site.

But a spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said that no decision has been made on the many options that have been suggested in an effort to manage the cash crisis.

Users of the park, which includes young families, dog-walkers and nature lovers have blasted the option.

Full-time mum and part-time student Ceri Griffiths was at Cosmeston this week with her three-year-old daughter, Rebecca. The 37-year-old said: "We come here very often, and will more so when the weather improves. I know it is very popular in the summer. There is plenty for a young family to do, like feed the ducks, or walk up to the children's play area.

"But if the council go ahead with this choice it will be seen as putting on a charge to get into the park - because anyone travelling any distance will probably come by car. This will be very unpopular decision.

"At the moment, anyone can come in here, but if there is a charge, I can imagine many people will be put off."

The council's spokesman said: "At the present time, there is only a charge to get into the Medieval Village, but there is a possibility that there will be a cost for car parking. The local authority is in the middle of a 'green spaces and ground' maintenance review, which is not due to be completed until June. There have been around 120 options to consider so far in a bid to cut costs in the council's budget, and this is only one. However a decision will be made when the investigation is completed later this year."