Shoppers and drivers face traffic mayhem (From Barry And District News)

Shoppers and drivers face traffic mayhem

BARRY town is going to be plunged into chaos at the start of next week after it was revealed the free Court Road car park will stay shut until gone 9am.

From Monday (November 15), the free multi-storey facility in Court Road opens at 9.15am, meaning people who work in shops and offices in the town, in Holton Road school and in the Amy Evans hospital, will have to find alternative parking. All other car parks open at 9.30am.

The Barry and District News has been bombarded with telephone calls from furious readers demanding to know why staff employed in shops and offices in the centre are being penalised.

Head of Visible Services for the Vale of Glamorgan Council Miles Punter responded: "The parking proposals currently being implemented by the council should assist in protecting commercial activity in the town centre in the run up to Christmas and beyond. They are necessary to ameliorate the loss of parking on the Holton Road site due to be redeveloped by the Wilkinson organisation and also for the loss of parking during the next stages of the Town Hall development.

"The whole issue of town centre car parking and, in particular parking displacement, is a complex one. The council's arrangements, particularly in relation to the improved utilisation of the multi-storey complex, will therefore be kept under constant review and issues such as its improved use, or otherwise, will be noted and, if necessary, amendments introduced. Town centre parking is, of course, a very emotive issue and we apologise to anyone who feels disadvantaged by the new arrangements.

"We would also remind members of the public that the town centre has good public transport links and a number of on-street parking spaces available within reasonable walking distance of Holton Road."

The council is launching a new leaflet designed to help Christmas shoppers find car parking spaces in the centre.

Work on a new Wilkinson store and the latest phase of the Town Hall development, as well as vital gas and sewer works in Holton Road is expected to cause some disruption.