Bro Radio

Listen
Now Playing Thin Lizzy - Parisiene Walkways On Air: Saturday Morning with Paul
More from Bro Radio

Petition against proposed Barry Island parking charges reaches 1,200 signatures

Thursday, 9 January 2025 17:42

Vale Council's Cabinet has approved plans to introduce On Street Parking charges at a number of locations in the Vale of Glamorgan.

A petition launched by a Barry Island business owner against proposed on-street parking charges has reached 1,200 signatures in under 48 hours.

Louis Ross, who owns Barrybados created the petition after a Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet report appeared online earlier this week, setting out proposals to introduce on-street parking charges.

At a meeting on Thursday 9th January, cabinet members agreed in principle to parking charges being introduced at car parks in and around Barry and Penarth and to new on-street charges for several locations at Barry Island and Penarth seafront, along with the closure of Court Road Car Park in Barry Town Centre.

Speaking to Bro Radio, Mr Ross said he was disgusted by the charges "These charges are going to deter locals away during the winter months, which keeps Barry Island businesses going. If they take away all of the free parking, then there's going to be some major issues during the winter, along with the recent National Insurance Increase."

"If the locals stop coming to Barry Island, it's going to really hurt our businesses during the winter months. There are no locals in Barry that are going to want to pay to visit regularly. They want to use local businesses, but enjoy the local beaches and tourist spots for free that their council tax contributes for whilst doing so."

"If they want to charge above those two hours, then that's fine, but keep the two hours free so locals can still come down and use the facilities for free after school, during the winter months."

Plans to introduce paid on-street parking charges on Barry Island were first muted in 2019, with the Council backing down following public outrage.

Ross hopes his petition, which has reached almost 1,200 signatures will see the Council reverse its decision, accusing the Cabinet of not sticking to previous agreements to consult with local traders.

"The Council never do any consultation and this was one of the issues back in 2019 when the Council didn't consult with any of the traders on Barry Island. It's disappointing because back when the decision was reversed, the current Council Leader Lis Burnett supported us in getting overturned when she was in opposition" said Mr Ross.

"When Labour took over, there was an understanding with the Leader of the Council that there were going to be more consultations with traders and traders associations on topics such as this, but there been zero consultation. It feels like they've tried to sneak it through without telling everyone."

"I'd love for the Council to work more closely with us traders, but they've chosen not to. I think that the reputation of the Council is that it's not willing to consult with any traders or traders associations, making decisions themselves first without anyone else's input."

The proposed plans will see parking charges introduced on Paget Road, Breaksea Drive, Friars Road and Station Approach Road, all on Barry Island and on the Esplanade at Penarth Seafront, with drivers being charged £2.50 for up to two hours, £4 for up to three hours and £6 for a maximum four-hour stay.

Charges will also be introduced at several other locations between 10am and 11pm, at a cost of £2 for up to two hours, £4 for up to four hours, £6 for up to six hours and £8 to remain all-day, at the following other locations in the Vale:

  • The Knap Car Park (Barry) – 164 spaces
  • Bron Y Mor (Barry) – 67 spaces
  • Penarth Cliff Walk – 177 spaces
  • Portabello (Ogmore-by-Sea) – 25 spaces
  • West Farm (Southerndown) – 22 spaces

Parking season tickets will continue to be available for residents, traders and other frequent visitors to Coastal Car Parks, but will not be available for on-street areas where charges will be brought in.

Mr Ross says he's requested a meeting with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to discuss his concerns and present his petition which has surpassed 1,000 signatures since its launch on Wednesday.

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “While we welcome people to the Vale and understand why they want to enjoy the fantastic attractions on offer here, there are maintenance and resort management costs associated with visitors which the Council must meet.

“Asking this group to contribute to the upkeep of our resorts is only fair as that responsibility should not lie solely with residents.

“We have made on-street parking at resorts free before 10am to try and accommodate those living locally and restricted on-street parking at resort areas to a maximum of four hours to ensure different people can access these spaces throughout the day.

“Season ticket options are also available for regular users of car parks at our coastal resorts, as they are for country parks.

“Hopefully these changes can help tackle congestion at our resorts by encouraging the use of our car parks.

“I have spoken many times of the extremely challenging financial position we and other Local Authorities find ourselves in. Quite simply, we must find new ways to generate income to balance the books.

“The Vale of Glamorgan is one of the lowest funded and lowest spending councils in Wales, with one of the lowest rates of Council Tax, so if we want to provide anything beyond essential services, we have to impose charges like this.”

 

Having been approved by Cabinet, these proposals will now be considered by the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 14th January.

Share

Do you have a story to share? Email News@broradio.fm 

 

More from Bro Radio Newsroom

Follow Us On Socials

Vale Weather

  • Sat

    5°C

  • Sun

    7°C

  • Mon

    9°C

  • Tue

    10°C

More from Bro Radio

Local events

Radio
Online
App
Smart Speaker