Plea to shelve car parking charges as plans reconsidered (From Western Telegraph)

Plea to shelve car parking charges as plans reconsidered

2:04pm Thursday 17th September 2009 in News

THE “complex and emotive” subject of car parking charges will be put under the spotlight next week.

A special meeting to decide the future of new car parking charges across the county will take place next Friday, with the issue already sparking intense debate countywide.

Last Thursday the environment overview and scrutiny committee met at County Hall and discussed the ‘hot potato’ which could see new charges enforced in Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Pembroke.

County council chairman Anne Hughes was invited to speak at the meeting.

The county councillor, who represents the central ward of Milford Haven, said changes in the character of the town had occurred since the surveys were carried out as part of the Buchanan report into parking charges across the county.

Cllr Hughes said barren and desolate outlets were now part of the town’s portfolio and the changes had affected both the number of pedestrians and the amount of traffic.

She questioned whether visitors would wish to pay to park for the limited outlets within the town – or would they be tempted to go elsewhere.

“The make-up of Milford Haven, like others, is complex and without provision of adequate monitoring and policing this will only be seen as an endeavour to undermine a struggling town centre,” she said.

“Car parking charges must be considered on a town by town basis and take account of the fragility of the local economy. Therefore, it is hoped that no charges are implemented until such time as this town’s economy has improved.”

Cllr Rosalie Lilwall said: “It’s a complex and emotive subject.”

Pembroke Dock County councillor Kate Becton said councillors must reject the imposition of parking charges.

“Parking charges cannot possibly encourage retail trade in our town centre. I do not believe that as Pembrokeshire councillors any of us would wish to see further deterioration in a facility which binds a community,” said Cllr Becton.

The extraordinary meeting of the environment overview and scrutiny committee will take place next Friday, September 25, at 10am in County Hall.