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Free parking scrapped at two seaside locations

Ted Peskett
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Getty Images People on Barry Island beach in Wales in the sunshine. There are parasols out, beach towels and hundreds of people out on the sand. Some standing, some sitting.Getty Images
Barry Island is one of the seaside locations where council leaders have agreed to scrap free parking

Controversial plans to scrap free parking at two seaside locations are going ahead as planned.

In March, Vale of Glamorgan council said it would review its proposals for Barry Island and Penarth seafront, after traders criticised them.

But following a review, council leaders have agreed to press ahead, arguing that it would generate revenue that would help protect the Vale's coastal resorts and boost tourism.

Businesses fear the impact that not having two hours free parking will have on their quieter months in the winter and petitions opposing the proposed charges received thousands of signatures.

The proposal to close the multi-storey car park on Court Road in Barry, which was also part of the council's initial plans, will also be going ahead.

Mark Wilson, Labour cabinet member for neighbourhood and building services, said Vale of Glamorgan Council wanted to encourage visitors and did not want them going "around in circles" trying to find a parking space.

The council hopes the changes will also reduce congestion and improve air quality.

In Barry Island the following on-street locations will be affected by new parking charges after a 21-day consultation period:

  • Paget Road: 54 spaces
  • Breaksea Drive: 56 spaces
  • Friars Road: eight spaces, excluding disabled parking
  • Station Approach Road: 49 spaces

And on Penarth seafront:

  • The Esplanade: 42 spaces
  • Cliff Hill: 58 spaces
  • Cliff Parade: 26 spaces
  • Beach Road (part): 13 spaces
  • Bridgeman Road (part): 12 spaces
Getty Images Penarth sea front. The pier is seen at the back of the image, there is the sea in the foreground and to the right. On the left is the sea wall and there are Victorian buildings, but before those there is a road with cars parked on them.Getty Images
The council will review the changes after two years

The council is proposing to charge for parking seven days a week between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00, with a maximum stay period of four hours.

Parking will be charged as follows:

  • Up to two hours: £2.50
  • Up to three hours: £4
  • Up to four hours: £6

In March, the council also approved proposals to charge fees at off-street, coastal car parks in Portobello and Westfarm in Ogmore, the Knap and Bryn Y Mor in Barry, and Penarth Cliff Walk.

The council will review parking charges at on-street sites in Barry Island and Penarth 24 months after implementation.

This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.