PROPOSALS to introduce car parking charges in Barry town centre are being introduced by the Council without adequate consultation with local residents and shopkeepers who will be impacted upon by these changes.
As the Plaid Cymru local councillor for Barry town centre, I share the concerns of many people that charging for any period of time in local car parks will lead to those car park users instead taking up limited non-chargeable town centre on-street parking, further inconveniencing local residents.
Additionally, many potential shoppers – from within Barry and from outside – may use other shopping centres, such as the Waterfront, Culverhouse Cross, Ferry Road or High Street/Broad Street, rather than choose to pay car park charges for a limited shopping offer in Holton Road.
Arguments in favour of car park charging could be made on sustainability grounds. However, the Labour-led Council report fails to consider alternatives to car use, such as better public transport or cycling.
The economic reality of Barry town centre is that investment and economic development regeneration is required, and anything that puts the town centre’s future under threat is an unacceptable risk that is not worth taking.
The Vale Council should scrap these plans.
Cllr Ian Johnson
Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales
Barry
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