The council say the costs assist to take care of an essential public house
Members of Neath Port Talbot Council are set to debate choices for parking in Aberavon later this month after calls from residents to reinstate free parking alongside the beachfront. The transfer got here after a public backlash when the native authority launched parking expenses at The Princess Margaret Manner laybys alongside the beachfront in April.
This led to the creation of a petition with 1000’s of signatures from locals which they stated was launched with a view to struggle the choice and “make the seaside extra accessible” for residents and vacationers.
Others added that frustrations have been triggered for some customers as a result of lack of money cost choices within the space, with cost accessed by way of an app or phone-based techniques.
Discussions on the problem will now come at council scrutiny session on June 27, the place members will hear of proposals to introduce new short-stay parking tariffs at 4 close by off-street automotive parks from April 1, 2026.
These will embody Bay View, Ocean Manner, Scarlet Avenue and Victoria Street automotive parks with proposed tariffs of £1 for one hour and £2 for 2 hours with a view to “help short-stay guests to the seafront permitting them to pay with money utilizing the present pay and show machines.”
It was nevertheless famous that funds made at these automotive parks wouldn’t be transferable to the laybys, with the potential of putting in money cost machines there not deemed as possible as a result of the price of putting in them.
A council spokesperson stated: “We’ve listened to the issues raised for the reason that introduction of expenses and are proposing adjustments that goal to make parking on the seafront extra accessible and simpler to make use of.
“Whether or not you are visiting for a fast stroll or a full time out, we wish to make parking as easy and versatile as attainable—whereas serving to to take care of one among our county borough’s most essential public areas.”
The council says it is going to additionally ask for permission from the Welsh Authorities to put in clearer signage alongside The Princess Margaret Manner to enhance details about cost choices.
Nonetheless, talking after the announcement of the proposals, which got here forward of a scheduled public assembly, Councillor Sean Pursey of Sandfields East stated he felt they did nothing to handle a lot of the points raised.
He stated: “The native councillors for Sandfields have been elevating their issues with the costs since 2023. Regardless of this and a number of other petitions with 1000’s of signatures, the proposals went forward.
“Lots of the issues raised in 2023 have come to bear since – the costs are having an influence on each the well being and well-being of residents in Neath Port Talbot, and the companies on the seafront – that influence just isn’t definitely worth the income that’s being raised.
“The councils proposed adjustments to the opposite automotive park tariffs do nothing to handle most of those points and received’t be applied till subsequent 12 months in any case.
“It’s disappointing that the council has come ahead with these proposed adjustments earlier than listening to the suggestions within the public assembly from residents and companies.
“We hope that following the assembly the chief and cupboard member mirror on the real issues that might be expressed and scrap the lay-by expenses.”
