Free parking introduced at five country parks

Parking charges have been axed at a number of council-owned country car parks in Caerphilly County Borough.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet agreed on Wednesday (January 13) to remove the existing pay and display fees in five of the authority’s country parks.

This follows on from the recent decision to extend free parking across the county until the end of March, to support key workers and encourage residents to shop local.

The country car parks which will benefit from free parking include Bargoed Woodland Park, Parc Cwm Darran, Parc Penallta, Pen y Fan Pond and Sirhowy Valley Country Park.

But charges would still apply at Cwmcarn Forest to control parking use due to high visitor numbers.

The rates for short-stay and long-stay car parks have also been standardised across the county borough.

The changes were recommended by the council’s joint scrutiny committee, following findings by a group of councillors on the council’s cross-party Car Parks Task and Finish Group.

The council’s cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, Cllr John Ridgewell, said: “We are very fortunate to have some fantastic country parks in our county and recognise that visiting them will have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our community.

“It’s important that everyone continues to adhere to the current coronavirus restrictions, but after the restrictions are eased, and the advice on travelling to exercise has changed, residents and visitors will then be able to travel to these sites to enjoy all they have to offer and park free of charge.”

The leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, Cllr Colin Mann, said he supported this decision.

Cllr Mann said: “We opposed the charging scheme seven years ago before it was introduced, and we’ve objected ever since.

“One of the points highlighted by the task and finish group was that parking charges should be removed to recognise the significant health benefits to residents. That is exactly what we argued – that the charging regime was putting people off exercising when they are being urged to keep fit.”