Cardiff Council plans free-parking cuts across city

Local TV

Traders in some areas of Cardiff are concerned Cardiff’s offer of 30 minutes free parking is not enough, after they planned on cutting two hour free parking entirely. The council say that want to encourage cycling and walking into town, but businesses want protections against people visiting larger retail parks, where parking is usually free.

Transcript

00:00Cardiff Council's revised plans to scale back free parking across the city

00:04have sparked criticism from traders and local politicians

00:07to say the compromise still doesn't go far enough.

00:11The council originally proposed scrapping free parking altogether at car parks

00:14in areas like Llandaf, Wichert, Rubina and Canton

00:17after a backlash that's been watered down

00:20with a new offer of 30 minutes free parking

00:22instead of the two hours many communities have long relied on.

00:26Business owners argue half an hour simply isn't enough time

00:29for shoppers, worshippers or patients visiting doctor surgeries and pharmacies

00:33so Haib Hussain who chairs the Cowbridge Road East Traders Association

00:37says two hours was perfect for high streets

00:39and worried customers will instead head to big retail parks

00:42where parking remains free.

00:44He points out that Friday prayers at local mosques, Sunday church services

00:48and even routine visits to a pharmacy or GP

00:50often take well over 30 minutes.

00:53Traders on Cowbridge Road East, one of the busiest routes in and out of the city centre

00:56say losing passing trade would hit them especially hard.

01:00In Llandaf, Conservative councillor Sean Driscoll agrees

01:03warning the change will damage local shops

01:05and discriminate against older residents

01:07who need more time for medical appointments and errands.

01:11His petition against the original plan

01:12had already gained more than 3,500 signatures.

01:15He also criticised the timing of the consultation

01:17which runs until the 4th of September

01:19saying holding it during school holidays

01:21will exclude many residents.

01:23Cardiff Council says his aim is to encourage more sustainable travel

01:27by walking and cycling

01:28while also introducing reduced Sunday charges

01:30wider season ticket options for longer stay car parks

01:33and increased fees for some longer stays.

01:36But with widespread concern among traders and residents alike

01:39the row of a free parking in Cardiff looks far from over.

01:42Here's Pete Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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