### Carmarthenshire Council to Introduce Parking Charges at Previously Free Car Parks
Motorists in several areas across Carmarthenshire will soon be met with new parking charges as the local authority moves to implement fees in car parks that have, until now, been free. The decision by Carmarthenshire Council has sparked significant debate among residents, business owners, and local councillors, as nearly 2,000 people signed a petition to oppose the move.
The council’s cabinet has voted to introduce these charges at nine specific car parks spanning Kidwelly, Burry Port, Llansteffan, Ferryside, Llanelli, and Llanybydder. Supporters of the plan argue that aligning these car parks with others in surrounding towns—such as Llandeilo, Newcastle Emlyn, and St Clears—will create a fairer system and help offset the growing costs of maintaining these amenities.
The proposed fees are expected to be £1.10 for one hour, £1.20 for two hours, and £2 for an all-day stay. Compared to similar parking facilities in Mumbles, Tenby, and New Quay, officials maintain that these rates remain highly competitive. Carmarthenshire Council has emphasised that maintaining free parking comes at a financial cost, requiring funds for upkeep and business rates that would otherwise strain local services or potentially drive council taxes higher.
Cabinet member for transport, waste and infrastructure services, Councillor Edward Thomas, explained the rationale behind the move. “The new charges are about ensuring the costs of running our car parks don’t fall solely to indirect public funding, while still keeping Carmarthenshire’s rates amongst the most reasonable in the region,” he said.
However, opposition to the charges has been strong. A petition presented to the full council in April with 1,961 signatures argued that the charges could deter visitors, negatively impacting local businesses and the hospitality sector. Objectors voiced concerns that paid parking might divert vehicles onto residential streets, increasing congestion and reducing available space for those living locally.
Responding to these worries, the council’s cabinet report noted that there remains a significant amount of free or time-limited on-street parking across the affected communities. In Burry Port, for instance, around 20 spaces allow free parking for up to 30 minutes between 8am and 6pm. The report also highlighted that financial backing from the Welsh Government to support free parking schemes had ended in 2022, requiring a reassessment of local funding models.
Some local representatives remain unconvinced. Crish Davies, councillor for Kidwelly and St Ishmael, expressed reservations, describing the council’s approach as short-sighted. “New businesses are bringing hope to our town, but these charges risk undoing that progress. While I understand the financial trade-offs, the economic benefit of free parking shouldn’t be underestimated,” she commented.
Further local critique came from Burry Port councillor John James, who described the charges as “extremely disappointing”. Highlighting a historic reason behind the existing free parking arrangement, he claimed that past infrastructure issues—namely a railway bridge unsuited to heavy traffic—had kept fees at bay in Burry Port, though this reportedly received little mention in official council documents.
Looking ahead, necessary infrastructure upgrades such as the installation of ticket machines and increased enforcement of on-street waiting restrictions are set to take place prior to the changes being rolled out. Councillor Thomas has given an estimated timeline of “the next few months” for the new charges to come into effect. He added that the council will monitor the impact of the fees on both local economies and neighbourhood parking patterns.
The wider debate reflects the delicate balance that local authorities face: maintaining essential public services and infrastructure, whilst also supporting vibrant town centres and responding to the needs of residents. As charging is introduced, all eyes will be on Carmarthenshire to see whether the move delivers the anticipated benefits—both fiscal and social—or whether it prompts further calls for change from the local community.