Councillors to consider revised parking strategy for county borough

Neath Port Talbot Councillors will next week consider a revised car parking strategy for the county borough. Following careful consideration of responses from the public, this will recommend the retention of one hours free parking for Pontardawe, digital permitting and changes to enforcement.

Proposals were published for consultation in early December as part of the Council’s wider budget consultation process, which included a greater alignment between the charges in the car parks in Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe town centres.

However feedback received from residents, local businesses and a variety of other organisations during the consultation process strongly supported the retention of an hours free parking for Pontardawe.

Cllr Ted Latham, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Engineering said: “We have listened to the views of the community received during the consultation process and have decided that it is appropriate that the current first hour free structure for Pontardawe should remain”.

The report, which will be considered at a meeting of the Streetscene and Engineering Cabinet Board on Tuesday 13^th February, also proposes:

• The introduction of mobile CCTV camera van enforcement with a particular focus on dangerous parking outside schools and in Bus bays;

• An increase of 50p across the various bands, taking the tariff to £1.50 for one hour and another 50p for every hour up to £3.50 for over four hours parking;

• Increasing the charges for all permits by £2.50;

• A new tariff structure at the Aberavon Seafront involving a charge of £2 from May to September and £1 from October to April, with a similar arrangement to be introduced at the Victoria Road car park.

Cllr Latham, added: “Whilst we understand that increased charges may not be welcomed, the Council must ensure that its parking strategy is appropriate to both manage the level of demand at destinations such as Aberavon Seafront and to provide the necessary income to maintain car parks and other facilities from which motorists benefit”.

“We believe that in the context of continuing austerity this strategy balances the interests of motorists, businesses and the wider community”.