Sign our petition on free car parking

All About Newtown has initiated a petition urging Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council to consider providing free car parking on weekends in Newtown, like Brecon.

This call for action comes after the successful implementation of free parking during popular events like the Food Festival and Newtown 10k.

The proposal suggests that even if the Town Council were to support free parking solely at the Gravel Car Park every Saturday of the year, it would only amount to an additional £2.88 per year for Band D residents through their council tax.

Challenges

Newtown, along with other towns in Powys, is facing challenges due to the high cost of car parking fees. Powys County Council's recent parking review, instead of reducing fees as anticipated, is recommending increases to offset the reintroduction of a one-hour tariff in towns lacking short-stay car parks.

This move is concerning for Newtown visitors who may face a minimum two-hour tariff and higher charges to subsidize other areas. The County Council relies on parking revenue to balance its budgets, making reductions unlikely.

County Councillors on Monday heard how Brecon Town Council is providing free parking every Saturday up until March 2025, using the same method proposed for Newtwn.

Benefits

Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council can facilitate free parking by acquiring the car parks from the County Council at set prices. The recent use of free parking at events like the 2024 Newtown Food Festival demonstrated its economic benefits and was met with widespread acclaim.

Providing free parking can drive more visitors to the town, resulting in economic growth across various sectors.

Impact on Residents

If the Town Council were to offer free parking at Back Lane Car Park every Saturday, it would cost approximately £600 per day or £30,000 annually. Alternatively, free parking at the Gravel car park would cost around £250 per day or £13,000 yearly.

Residents, who contribute through the Council Tax precept, would shoulder the cost of free parking. For example, an additional expense of £30,000 annually would only translate to £7.66 per year for a Band D household.

The justification for this cost is evident, especially when considering that the Town Council currently spends £57,500 yearly on public toilets, equivalent to £12 per year for a Band D household.

A recent survey conducted by All About Newtown revealed that a majority of respondents believe the high parking costs are detrimental to the town center's viability.

To support the call for free parking in Newtown, residents and visitors can sign the petition here.