Parking review provides seasonal boost for town centres

Neath Port Talbot Councillors have agreed to implement a number of proposals following a review of town centre parking.

The review included parking charges in Neath and Port Talbot town centres, Christmas parking arrangements, and the designation of Milland Road Car Park in Neath.

Parking charges in the county borough were last reviewed and changed in 2014.

Since then the Council has received and considered requests from town centre stakeholders including shoppers and traders to revisit parking charges in both Neath and Port Talbot.

To help attract more trade into town centres, Councillors have agreed to trial a 30p per hour reduction of parking charges in all short stay car parks in Neath and Port Talbot town centres, saving motorists 30p per hour across the schedule of charges.

This means that motorists will pay £1 to park up to one hour and £1.50 up to 2 hours instead of the current £1.30 or £1.80 charge. All day parking will be reduced from £3.30 to £3.

The new tariff will be trialled for a 12 month period and reviewed to see whether it has resulted in an increase in car park use.

In Neath, following the opening of the new multi-storey car park, new traffic orders will be implemented in the town’s pedestrianised area, and new signage will be put in place soon.

This follows concerns that unauthorised entry and parking could lead to conflict between pedestrians and motorists with potentially serious consequences.

The new orders will make the pedestrianised area safer whilst supporting the night time economy in this part of Neath’s town centre.

Councillors have also agreed to change Milland Road car park in Neath from a Long Stay to a Short Stay car park. It was felt that businesses in the southern end of Neath in particular would benefit from a Short Stay car park in that part of the town.

Motorists will still be able to purchase all-day and multiple day parking tickets and season permits.

Councillors have also agreed to again provide county borough wide free parking over the festive period.

This year shoppers will enjoy an extended free parking period from Saturday 12th December up to and including Sunday 27th December 2015.

Councillor Ali Thomas OBE, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said:

“Town centres are at the heart of our local communities and we are committed to investing in them and making them attractive places for people to live, work and do business.

“I am pleased that despite the financial pressures we are facing, we are able to support shoppers, visitors and traders and I hope that people will respond positively and support their local town centre.”

A legal order will now be advertised and subject to there being no objections the reduced tariff structure will be implemented early in the New Year.