Senedd Member for Ceredigion Penfro, Paul Davies, has called on Ceredigion County Council to urgently review its policy on car parking charges, following growing concerns from local businesses about the negative impact charges have on trade and town centre footfall.
Mr Davies wrote to the Leader of the Council to highlight the challenges faced by businesses across Ceredigion’s towns, where rising parking costs are seen as a deterrent to people vising local high streets. He urged the local authority to listen carefully to the concerns being raised and to review these charges.
Commenting, Mr Davies said: “Car parking charges add yet another barrier to people visiting our towns and high streets and can be detrimental to local businesses, at a time when many businesses are already facing significant economic pressures.
“Our high streets are the backbone of our communities and play a vital role in the local economy. If people are put off visiting because of the cost of parking, then businesses will inevitably suffer. This is not only short-sighted but risks causing long-term damage to the vibrancy of our towns.
“The Council must act on the valid concerns being raised and review its parking policy as a matter of urgency. The focus should be on encouraging footfall, supporting local trade, and ensuring that our town centres remain accessible and affordable for everyone.”
