‘Keep City Parking Free’
The campaign to reverse the decision is gaining momentum thanks to a large petition and support from several councillors.
The petition, led by the South Wales Argus, to keep the Newport parking free has received over 2,800 signatories, estimated to be a mix of concerned shoppers and traders.
As a result of the campaign, a motion is to be put before a full meeting of the Newport City Council on Tuesday, 18 December. The motion will be led by Councillor Matthew Evans, the former Conservative leader of the council, and opponent of the council’s decision. The meeting will urge Ken Critchley, the Cabinet Member for infrastructure, to rethink his decision to axe the free parking scheme.
Newport’s free parking scheme is at risk of being axed after just two years due to it being deemed no longer financially viable. A major campaign, led by local traders, has been started to protect it.
The programme, which until recently consisted of two hours free parking in any of the council run car parks, will be extended to five hours over the holiday period before being removed completely. The new tariff, starting on 1 February, will be one pound for a three-hour period.
The people most impacted by this decision will be Newport’s traders and many of them are speaking out against it, Tony Turner, a local butcher, said “They’ve done everything to virtually cut us off.” The council will soon be reviewing the decision.
‘Keep City Parking Free’
The campaign to reverse the decision is gaining momentum thanks to a large petition and support from several councillors.
The petition, led by the South Wales Argus, to keep the Newport parking free has received over 2,800 signatories, estimated to be a mix of concerned shoppers and traders.
As a result of the campaign, a motion is to be put before a full meeting of the Newport City Council on Tuesday, 18 December. The motion will be led by Councillor Matthew Evans, the former Conservative leader of the council, and opponent of the council’s decision. The meeting will urge Ken Critchley, the Cabinet Member for infrastructure, to rethink his decision to axe the free parking scheme.