PARKING charges could be introduced to Barry after a road traffic survey was conducted in the town centre.

A road traffic survey was conducted at both the Court Road multi-storey car park, as well as the Wyndham Street open air car park, from last Monday, July 15, to Friday, July 19.

The survey aimed to study the parking habits of those in the town centre and determine “what range of charges may be appropriate so as to better manage the current parking opportunities”.

Paul Gay, group engineer for Highways and Traffic at the Vale Council, said: "The council has recently commissioned a study into both on-street and off-street parking in Barry and Cowbridge town centres.

"The results of the study will identify the current parking habits of those living, visiting and working in the town centres.

"A report will consider the following:
• Identify the impact on the existing on-street parking arrangements that might occur should off-street parking charges be introduced,

• Identify what range of charges may be appropriate so as to better manage the current parking opportunities (e.g. not to discourage short-term shoppers but better manage long-term parking),

• Identify what capital costs would need to be considered depending on the charging regime (e.g. pay-and-display, pay-on-exit etc),

• Identify what additional resources would be required to manage such a system (e.g. maintenance costs, enforcement costs etc).

"The study was commissioned in mid-July and a report is expected in October.”