Cardiff Conservatives say proposals to double car parking charges would be a “tax on shoppers”.
They say the change, proposed in the Senedd and welcomed by the Welsh Government, would mark the “end of the High Street”.
Currently, council car parks in the city centre charge £3.10 for two hours. The proposed change would see this increased to over £6.
Leader of Cardiff Conservatives, Adrian Robson, says increased parking charges would discourage shoppers from coming into the city, which could be devastating for high street shops.
He says, “Recently shops have suffered because of the rise of online shopping.
“This would just be another kick for shops that are struggling already.”
Labour AM Jenny Rathbone proposed the new charge in the capital and said the proposal could raise a billion pounds.
In a debate in the Senedd on 27 February, she said, “You could introduce an awful lot of walking and cycling routes with that sort of money.”
Parking charges are set by the council, but Cllr Robson is worried the Welsh Government could get the power to set prices.
Welsh Government Economy Secretary Ken Skates, who is responsible for transport. has said the idea is worth further consideration.
