Cardiff car parks may no longer offer free two-hour stays, according to a recent announcement made by Cardiff Council. The proposal is causing concern amongst residents and business owners who fear the impact it could have on local businesses. The changes also include limiting the number of business permits, increasing the price of flexi business permits, and introducing more season tickets. These alterations will affect several car parks across Cardiff city centre, prompting a public consultation period until February 22.
Some of the car parks where the current two hours of free parking may be removed are Grey Street, Harvey Street, Severn Road, and Wellington Street. In Canton, these car parks will charge £1 for an hour between 9 am and 5 pm, seven days a week. Similarly, at Heath Park Main, Heath and Model Railway, and Heathwood Lane, parking will cost 50p or more for an hour from Monday to Friday. Parking by the sports fields in Bute Park at Llandaff and Pontcanna Fields will also see fees from £1 between 9 am and 5 pm every day of the week.
The proposed changes extend to Whitchurch car parks at Merthyr Road and Penlline Road, where parking will cost 50p for one hour between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Additionally, Llandaff High Street will charge 50p an hour from Monday to Saturday between 9 am and 5 pm. North Road’s charges will apply during weekends, starting at £1, between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Sunday. Penylan Library’s car park on the edge of Roath Rec will introduce charges starting at £1 an hour between 9 am and 5 pm, seven days a week.
The public consultation launched by Cardiff Council allows residents and business owners to voice their opinions on the proposed changes. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on local businesses and the inconvenience it may cause. A wooden placard protesting against the elimination of free parking has appeared in a Canton car park, reflecting the community’s opposition. Businesses like PontK9 have criticised the new charges, calling them “daylight robbery” and predicting negative consequences for the area.
According to the council, these changes aim to reduce confusion, promote sustainable travel, prevent misuse of business permits, encourage more people to use car parks, and provide visitors with better parking options. This recent announcement follows previous proposed changes to Cardiff’s parking zones in November, which aimed to implement different rules at various times of the day and reduce commuter and student parking. The consultation period for these changes ended at the beginning of December.
In light of these developments, residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the public consultation to share their views and concerns about the proposed alterations to Cardiff’s car parks. Stay tuned for more updates as the community engages with Cardiff Council to shape the future of parking in the city.