Free two-hour parking is ending at many Cardiff car parks. The Council hopes to simplify rules, promote green travel.
The plan limits business permits to three per firm. Flexi permit prices will rise, too, and drivers must prove business insurance. More season tickets could become available.
Free parking will end on Grey Street, Harvey Street, Severn Road and Wellington Street. These car parks are near Cowbridge Road East. It’ll cost £1 an hour there between 9 AM and 5 PM, daily.
Heath Park’s main car park is affected, as well as Heath & Model Railway and Heathwood Lane. All Heath Park areas will cost at least 50p per hour between 9 AM and 5 PM, weekdays.
Parking near Bute Park’s sports fields changes, and you can expect to pay £1 from 9 AM to 5 PM daily. Whitchurch’s Merthyr Road and Penlline Road car parks change; it will cost 50p per hour there between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday to Saturday.
North Road parking gets weekend charges, costing £1 between 9 AM and 5 PM daily. Roath Rec’s car park will charge £1 an hour between 9 AM and 5 PM, every day.
The council held a public consultation on these changes, inviting public feedback before February 22. People worry these changes will hurt businesses, and protests occurred against scrapping free parking.
One company called the charges “daylight robbery” because they believed it harmed local businesses. It could create more street parking problems, too.
The council thinks it will simplify the system and they hope to promote green travel. They want to stop business permit abuse, expect more car park usage, and hope to give visitors better choices.