Powys County Council’s Labour Leader, Cllr Matthew Dorrance, has written to the Leader of the County Council urging her to suspend parking charges at Council-run car parks.

His intervention comes after the County Council launched a social media campaign urging residents to back local high streets.

Labour Councillors in Powys have long campaigned for changes to the Council’s parking charges policy but the party says that COVID-19 has created a new urgency for action.

In his letter, Cllr Matthew Dorrance said:

“I appreciate that this asks you to make a tough choice and the loss of income from parking charges would be substantial but without thriving high streets the County will suffer indefinitely.

 

“I understand that the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Wrexham, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Torfaen Councils are offering free parking to support businesses and the retail sector.  Powys is lagging behind and a refusal to act is placing additional burdens on our businesses.

 

“I am urging you to act before it is too late and suspend parking charges at Council run car parks until at least the end of the year.  During that time, the Council can undertake an in-depth, evidence based study about the impact which can inform what policy should be put in place for the future.”