Police plea for action on Newport car parking

Newport Town Council wants to make a third of the spaces on the town's two main car parks short-stay to attract more visitors.

At present Stafford Street and New Street car parks are free for all-day parking. But they quickly fill up every morning – in part because of sixth form students who then walk to lessons.

Police fear students who use the car parks will be forced to park in residential areas, causing congestion.

Parking in the town's High Street is limited to 40 minutes, and although this has been a success it has moved more drivers to use the car parks.

Constable Lee Thomas said: "Sixth form students who attend both Adams Grammar and Newport Girls' High have previously parked on New Street car park and walked to school from there.

"What they have found more recently is that when they arrive in the morning, New Street car park is already busy to full and so there is nowhere for them to park.

There is simply not enough parking in Newport."

The Stafford Street car park has 159 long stay spaces of which 12 are disabled.

Under the proposals, it will lose at least three spaces and have 97 long stay spaces and 59 short stay – for two hours or less.

There would also be a turning area put in to allow drivers who cannot find a space to turn around and not have to leave via Audley Road.

The New Street car park currently has 112 long stay spaces, of which three are disabled.

The revised scheme would see nine fewer spaces, with 67 long stay and 34 short stay.