Time to invest in our town (From Barry And District News)

Time to invest in our town

PLANS to use two car parks in Barry for contractors' vehicles for a year have not been welcomed. In September of this year the Vale of Glamorgan Council will be taking over 183 spaces in the Wyndham Street car park to house contractors' vehicles. This will mark the start of the upgrading of the town centre. Barry reporter Charles Booth went on the streets to canvas people's opinion of the news. Clive Webb, 68, of Old Market Road, Wenvoe, said: "It is very important that there is good car parking in the town. "We come here at least once a week. There are not enough parking spaces already in the town without taking some away for a period of time."

Sandra Selby, of Coldbrook Road, said: "The money being spent by the Vale of Glamorgan Council is not being put to use in the right places. The town needs some more shops here because it is a shame some are closing down."

Philip and Brenda Lloyd Selby, of Tydfil Street, are regulars to Barry town centre. Brenda said: "We need better parking here and a proper bus station. There is a lot which needs to be done in Barry. There is also nothing for the young people here. "For a small seaside town there are not enough facilities in the area."

Ron Weigheel lives off Port Road and owned a business in Barry. He said: "There needs to be a lot of forward planning for the town. There has not been the investment in the town, unlike Cardiff. They had a similar regeneration problem but seemed to get the funding. "I was recently in Plymouth and the shopping centre there is being totally revamped with a one hundred million pound refurbishment."

Tenant support officer, Dan Richards, aged 38, lives in Cardiff but has to make trips to Barry for tenants. He said: "I have seen Barry deteriorate over the past 10 to 15 years. There is not enough parking and particularly disabled people's parking. It is ridiculous to take any spaces away at all. It will affect the town."

Ceri Williams, 48, of High Street, said: "The council has got its priorities wrong. It needs to concentrate on the town centre. It seems all the attention is on the Waterfront development. "The town needs to have more parking spaces and has to be made more attractive for shoppers. "Tourism is very important but there does not seem to be any around these days." Most of the people canvassed were certain Barry needed car parking and investment. The majority of the people also drove to town in their own car.