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Barry Island: traders say council 'not engaging' over parking charges

Tuesday, 18 February 2025 13:04

Traders on Barry Island say they are disappointed that Vale of Glamorgan Council won't engage with them on proposed parking charges.

Controversial plans to introduce on-street parking fees have attracted widespread opposition - with a petition attracting over 3,300 signatures.

The proposals, which had been agreed in principle by the council's cabinet, were sent back to be reconsidered following a scrutiny committee meeting, where a bid by opposition councillors to scrap the plans was defeated.

Local business owners say they tried to reach out to council representatives before and after last month's meeting, but claim "they won't engage...on any level."

Louis Ross, owner of Barrybados said "We tried to arrange a meeting before the scrutiny so we could discuss with them directly the implications this would cause but they weren’t interested. Then after the scrutiny meeting, they said they couldn’t due to diary commitments. We went back to them and asked for 1 hour of their time at a time and date that suits the council but have not had any response."

"It’s disappointing that they won’t engage with traders on this matter, even after previous assurances were made, then it’s even more disappointing that we see council representatives on the island for a photo shoot for the island 10k, yet they won’t speak to any traders on fears of job loses or loss of trade."

"It’s a total disregard for anyone who works on the island. People are worried about long-term jobs, yet they just won’t spare an hour to talk to us."

The plans would see on-street parking charges introduced on Paget Road, Breaksea Drive, Friars Road and Station Approach Road, as well as the Knap car park and Bron Y Mor.

The multi-storey car park, which costs the council around £80,000 a year to run, has also been earmarked for closure.

The council insists their plans will help them to pay for looking after car parks and tourist hotspots amid financial pressures - with the local authority looking to save around £8 million pounds next year.

But Jonathan Osborne, who owns Coastal Coffee on Paget Road, says: ‘The council aren’t being transparent with the public and traders even though their website states ‘The Vale Council is dedicated to being open, accountable and transparent’.

"We’re left in limbo on such a big decision. There is a national insurance increase coming in 2 months too. the lack of transparency is affecting our decision-making."

Similar proposals for the Penarth seafront have also attracted much opposition - with an online petition attracting nearly 2,800 signatures.

The council plans to introduce charges at the Esplanade, Cliff Hill, Cliff Parade and parts of Beach Road and Bridgeman Road, as well as the car park at Cliff Walk.

Marie Curie, which has its hospice for Cardiff and the Vale on Bridgeman Road, wrote to the council warning that the plans could have an impact on how it provides care services.

In the Western Vale, parking fees are also being mooted for the car parks at Portobello in Ogmore-by-Sea and West Farm at Southerndown.

The council intends to charge up to £10 for all-day on-street parking and up to £8 for all-day off-street parking.

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