Business Owners Express Deep Concern as Free Parking Ends in Welsh Seaside Towns
A new chapter is unfolding on the seafronts of Barry Island and Penarth, as the Vale of Glamorgan Council has confirmed it will proceed with controversial plans to abolish free parking in several key areas. Despite earlier promises to consult further with the community, the Council’s recent decision has sparked renewed anxiety among traders, who fear for the future of their businesses and the local employment landscape.
The move, ratified at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, 3 July, will see the introduction of parking charges at numerous on-street locations. The council maintains that these additional fees will help manage visitor numbers more efficiently and contribute much-needed revenue for the maintenance of public amenities. However, business owners such as Louis Ross, proprietor of Barrybados Gift Shop, have voiced strong opposition, insisting the changes will primarily deter regular visitors—especially locals—during the quieter months.
According to Mr Ross, repeated attempts by traders to open meaningful dialogue with the Council have fallen flat. “We tried for months to make our case about how vital free parking is, particularly in winter when trade slows,” he explained. “Having no parking incentive for locals during those tough months jeopardises our viability. Many of us can’t afford to keep normal hours as it is.”
The planned charges will see parking fees introduced every day of the week from 10am to 6pm at locations including Paget Road, Breaksea Drive, Friars Road, and Station Approach Road on Barry Island, as well as The Esplanade, Cliff Hill, and Cliff Parade in Penarth. The fees are structured as £2.50 for up to two hours, £4 for three, and £6 for a maximum four-hour stay. Notably, previous discussions had floated an 8am start time for the charges, but this was adjusted in response to concerns about early morning deliveries.
Campaigns to retain free parking have been robust and vocal. Petitions against the plans attracted significant local support, drawing 3,337 signatures in Barry Island and 2,997 in Penarth. While these efforts demonstrate widespread resistance, not every voice in the business community is opposed. One Penarth business owner noted frustration with visitors monopolising free spaces and argued that consistent charging could free up turnover for genuine customers.
The council’s rationale for the changes is focused on achieving a fair balance between local needs and the realities of maintaining sought-after coastal towns. Cabinet member for neighbourhood and building services, Councillor Mark Wilson, stated, “These resorts are extremely popular, and we must make choices that benefit the greatest number. Revenues from parking will be reinvested in the local infrastructure, which everyone benefits from.”
Yet, the concerns persist, particularly around the peak winter period. Many traders worry that the all-year-round policy—introduced without seasonal revisions—will decimate off-season footfall. “We’re worried about people’s jobs when business drops off in winter,” Mr Ross added. “The council appears unwilling to properly engage with our concerns or work together on solutions. Two years is a long time to risk people’s livelihoods on an experiment.”
The situation is further complicated by the Council’s proposal to close the Court Road multi-storey car park, which, according to some councillors, remains vital for schools and local staff working in central Barry. The ongoing consultation period has also failed to convince some critics who view the process as lacking in genuine community involvement.
Ultimately, the Vale of Glamorgan Council has committed to reviewing the new parking policy after a two-year trial. For now, though, many in Barry Island and Penarth remain anxious about what the forthcoming changes will mean for their businesses and the wider communities these seaside towns support.
As both sides continue to stand firm on their positions, the debate highlights ongoing tensions faced by communities seeking to balance economic development, accessibility, and local livelihoods. The outcome of this policy may set a precedent for other coastal towns facing similar pressures in Wales and beyond.