Newtown motorists set to pay even more for car parking

Motorists in Newtown are set to pay even more for parking in the Back Lane and Gravel car parks as a result of a review looking into the original cost increases.

A report into the review will go to Powys county councillors next week. However, it looks like motorists will have to pay more for staying in the town's car parks to offset changes to other car parks in the county.

Today, Powys County Council released a statement into the review which does not mention Newtown's car parks. It does, however, say a one hour car park charge will be reintroduced into Llanidloes's council car park and some others.

Newtown town and Powys county councillor, Cllr Peter Lewington, has hit out at the statement.

He said: “I am frustrated and disappointed to see the recommendations within this report as I have fought long and hard for a fair £1 for 1 hour parking for our town – its businesses and residents.
 
"The report shows that by reintroducing the one-hour tariff with some mitigating actions this would actually generate almost £6,000 in additional revenue – however by ignoring to do this and under the guise of the working group review they have found ways to raise a further £402,000 from our beleaguered residents and to reduce visitor levels."

The council statement states:

"Now the review has been completed, the report to be taken to cabinet and discussed by the scrutiny committee recommends that the council:
 
•      Reinstate the 1hr parking charge to long-stay car parks in the towns where there are no short-stay car parks (Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Presteigne and Ystradgynlais)
•      Increase the tariffs for 2-4hr and all-day parking charges to mitigate the financial pressures of reinstating the 1hr parking option in the specified long-stay car parks
•      Review options for introducing charging in off-street council car parks where currently no charging structure exists
•      Review options for amending car park permits to be valid for specific, single car parks, with an option to upgrade for use in multiple car parks in the county
•      Free parking for events will cease unless the budget can accommodate all associated costs"

Cllr Lewington hit back saying: "The report states that the primary issue raised by the cross party and wider stakeholder working group was the reintroduction of the one-hour tariff and that discussions were dominated by charges.
 
"Only recently we saw the closure of a long-standing town centre butchery business with the owner citing the £2.50 for one hour’s parking charge as a significant factor in a reduction in customers leading to his decision to close the business.

"Businesses continue to see reduced footfall as a consequence of these astronomic car parking charges and whilst I am pleased to see this has been acknowledged in other towns across Powys I really don’t understand why Newtown has been excluded. How can our town centre businesses compete with the international super stores that offer free parking?"

He added: "Looking at two of the other proposals I fail to see what this will do to attract and retain tourist visitors to our town and even at this late stage I urge cabinet to think again and act to save Newtown Town centre – they must not ignore the main issue arising from the working group and impose additional burdens on our businesses and residents.

"They should remember that every business lost is a loss of revenue to Powys County Council in terms of lost business rates whereas a thriving a town centre would generate the revenue they so badly seek. Once they have bled businesses dry where they will turn next?"

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys: “Although delivering sustainable transport in rural areas is challenging, Powys County Council is committed to an approach which achieves a reduction in car use and recognises the need to provide safe and convenient parking within our towns.

“However, this comes at a cost. Powys County Council is currently forecasting a funding shortfall, based on national fiscal analysis, of more than £9.6million for the next financial year with that figure rising to £50.9 million or more over the next four years.
 
“Sustainable Powys is an approach the council is taking to be innovative and pro-active to re-think how services are delivered to meet future budget pressures. We want a council of the future that delivers quality local government services for our communities with better outcomes. This need to be affordable to deliver for our residents and businesses, and affordable for us to deliver and sustain for future generations is a key part in reaching our goals for Net Zero by 2030.
 
“We believe the recommendations put forward from this car park review deliver for both the communities and the county council going forward.”