Parking fees plan shelved

Controversial plans to introduce parking charges on eight free car parks in Powys have been put on hold after thousands of residents objected.

Powys County Council had wanted to impose the charges for parking in Llanfyllin, Knighton, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanidloes, Presteigne, Sennybridge, Llanfaes and Talgarth, as well as increasing the cost of parking at existing pay and display sites, as a way of raising an extra £100,000.

But in the face of massive opposition, including petitions containing thousands of names and numerous individual letters of protest, members of the council's board yesterday agreed to shelve the plan for at least two years.

Councillor Geraint Hopkins, portfolio holder for the local environment and services, proposed to the board that the plan to charge for parking in the eight towns be deferred until 2011/12, when the council would become responsible for both off-street and on-street parking.

He said as soon as the report proposing the car parking measures was made public, there had been a lot of bad publicity and numerous objections. Consultation meetings have been held.

Councillor Hopkins said: "These car parks are seen as residents' car parks where they have parked free forever. That issue arose when we attended meetings with people telling us that they would be parking on roads if the charges went ahead and that creates another problem.

"The police haven't got the resources to police that."

Objections had included the effect parking charges would have on the local economy, deterring shoppers and tourists stopping in the smaller towns.

Councillor Hopkins also proposed that between now and 2012, the council should talk with the town and community councils about them possibly leasing the car parks and running them themselves and meeting the cost from their local precept.

Councillor Peter Lewis, from Llanfyllin, said there had been no doubt at the strength of feeling against the proposals, particularly in Llanfyllin.

By Deborah Knox