A CALL has been made for the Vale council to scrap proposals to charge for town centre parking in Barry.

The Vale council’s draft car parking strategy was released in July 2018, but, more than 18 months later, no decision has been made.

More than 2,000 responses were received in the consultation in late 2018, and council committees were highly critical of the proposals in a four-hour meeting in April 2019.

The council said it is still considering the proposals.

Plaid Cymru councillor Ian Johnson, who represents Barry town centre including King Square, said: “Charging for car parking in Barry town centre makes no sense when we are trying to encourage local people to shop in and around Holton Road.

“The council plans make no sense from either a financial or practical sense.

“In two of the town centre car parks in which they suggest charging, it would actually cost more to introduce a charging machine and collect money than the amount of money it would raise.

“After the plans were criticised by council committees, local residents and business owners last summer, we were told that this would be sorted by Christmas, but we’re now in 2020 and we are still waiting for a final decision by the council.”

Castleland Vale and town councillor, Millie Collins, whose ward includes the southern side of Holton Road, added: “Instead of introducing car parking charges, the Vale council should be working to improve the shopping options on Holton Road to attract more customers.

“Spending so much time on an idea which has so much local opposition has been counter-productive and a misuse of council resources at a time when they are have been scarce.”

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: “The council has consulted on the development of a car parking policy and all opinions expressed are currently being given further detailed consideration as agreed by cabinet in July.

“A report on the matter is now due to be presented to cabinet early in the new year to agree the car parking policy for 2020/21.”