Council u-turn as one-hour parking charge to return

Following a huge backlash from motorists and businesses, Powys County Council has said it will look to reintroduce one-hour parking charges at its car parks across the county, including Welshpool.

An ill-advised car parking plan last year led to widespread changes being introduced by the Liberal-Democrat-led Powys County Council, who have now pulled the handbrake with their new plans to be floated next week.

The scrapping of the cheaper one-hour charge is believed to have had a huge detrimental effect on local town centres, and reversing it is one of three changes proposed following a series of meetings, focus groups, discussions, data analysis and benchmarking exercises undertaken by the County Council’s latest review.

Now it has been completed, the report to be taken to cabinet and discussed by the scrutiny committee recommends that the council:

1. Reintroduce the one-hour parking tariff to all long stay car parks in accordance with the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996.

2. Set tariffs for up to 1hr parking to £1.50, 1-2hrs parking to £2.50, 2-4hr parking to £3.50 and all-day parking to £5 in accordance with the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996.

3. Introduce a new single car park permit (to be used at one specified car park only) at a cost of £280 (annual), £155 (6 month), £90 (3 month) and £30 (1 month).

“We appreciate that car parking arrangements in the county is a very emotive subject for our residents and businesses,” said Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys.

“It was really important that we took the time to consider all options and take on board the feedback from the review group, the scrutiny committee, our residents, businesses and visitors.

“There is still more work to do with regards to the long-term plans for parking arrangements in the county but, for now, we believe that these recommendations will be acceptable to our communities, as well as being a feasible, sustainable and affordable option for the council to deliver within our tight budget constraints.”

The car parking review process has been conducted by a politically balanced cross-party group of local councillors, included representatives from town councils and local businesses where car parks are sited, and was led by an independent, impartial consultant.

As well as car parking tariffs, the car parking review considered how best to manage all the council’s car parks, town centre footfall, the impacts and benefits of local active travel schemes, available resources, the needs of the local communities and the council’s Sustainable Transport Hierarchy.

The council said that work will continue over time to address all these aspects with a vision to create sustainable car parks fit for the future of Powys.

The car parking changes were one of two hugely unpopular policies introduced by the council over the past year, and it remains to be seen whether the second, the introduction of booking to use the recycling centres, will also be reversed.