It got here after backlash in direction of the native authority’s choice to introduce parking costs
Discussions about future choices for parking alongside Aberavon beachfront have been deferred by the native council. The talks had been meant to be held by members of a Neath Port Talbot Council scrutiny committee on June 27 although they had been delayed with a purpose to talk about latest suggestions and put together a extra in-depth report.
The deferral got here after continued backlash in direction of the native authority’s choice to introduce parking costs at The Princess Margaret Method lay-bys alongside Aberavon beachfront earlier this 12 months.
Residents felt the transfer might finally trigger parking pressures in different components of the city in addition to scale back the variety of guests who come to the favored beachfront.
In addition they brought about frustrations for some customers because of the lack of money cost choices within the space with cost accessed by an app or phone-based programs.
It led to the creation of a petition with 1000’s of signatures from locals which they mentioned was launched with a purpose to combat the choice and “make the seashore extra accessible” for residents and vacationers.
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The council had launched new proposals to introduce short-stay parking tariffs at 4 close by off-street automotive parks from April 1, 2026. These are the Bay View, Ocean Method, Scarlet Avenue, and Victoria Highway automotive parks.
Nevertheless after listening to responses from residents at a latest public assembly officers and the cupboard member for transport requested for extra time to contemplate their suggestions earlier than transferring ahead.
Talking on the assembly Councillor Wyndham Griffiths, who’s the cupboard member for strategic planning, transport, and connectivity, mentioned: “We’re a council that listens due to this fact these issues require additional time and cautious consideration by officers and members to make sure that they’re totally addressed.
“I want to thank the committee chair for agreeing to defer the report to permit for a extra complete and knowledgeable report back to be introduced again to members of this scrutiny assembly earlier than the summer time recess and earlier than cupboard members make any choices.”
A report which summarised suggestions from the general public assembly held on the Seaside Social and Labour Membership highlighted plenty of explanation why members of the general public, companies, and group teams had been in opposition to the costs.
Some mentioned they weren’t reasonably priced, particularly for those who go to the beach-front every day or usually, the place it might now value as much as £14 per week for comparatively brief stays.
Others raised points with the pay by cellphone system and MiPermit App which they mentioned might take 5 to 10 minutes to pay for parking.
One response even mentioned the costs had “killed” the beachfront with individuals who beforehand visited on a regular basis not coming and companies noting a drop in each gross sales and footfall.
The fees can be mentioned once more by the native authority within the coming months earlier than any additional choices are made.
