Swansea Council is changing its controversial parking charges after a mass backlash from the public over the steep hike in fees it put in place to park in the city centre. On Monday the authority introduced a huge rise in costs to use council-operated car parks.
The council said it was the first time it had increased its prices for eight years, but the public were left outraged, with the move being described as “out of touch” and “absolutely vile”. Others expressed their concerns that the move will have a direct impact on businesses operating in the city centre.
Many hit out at the change on social media, with one man describing how after an eight-hour shift, he had been charged £30 instead of the usual £3.40, describing it as “actually disgusting.” He said: “How Swansea Council think that this is acceptable is beyond me. I parked in Swansea Arena where I have every day for the last year and never paid this much. Words fail me. Everyone really needs to be made aware that it may not just be a little hike like I thought and that it in fact may cost you a fortnight’s fuel instead.”
READ MORE: This is how to get cheaper parking if you live in Swansea
But on Tuesday Swansea Council has said it was now bringing forward three car parking offers which were due to be introduced later this year to support city centre workers, and residents. The three targeted offers, which were due to come in later this year, have been brought forward due to the continuing cost-of-living crisis and to give a further immediate boost the city centre economy.
It is also scrapping the new eight-hour parking charges at the Quadrant and Copr Bay (Arena) car parks which means the charge for up to 12 hours will be £16.50 for residents and £17 for non-residents. Under the controversial prices introduced on April 17, the rate for non-residents was £25 for up to eight hours at the Copr Bay South multi-storey car park, or £20 for residents, and £17 for up to eight hours as a non-resident at the Quadrant, or £16.50 as a resident. Get Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
The new offers are:
- Up to 700 low-cost permits will be offered to city centre businesses meaning staff can park for the equivalent of just £1.35p per day.
- A return of the 1-2-3 offer where residents can park in the city centre for £1 an hour £2 for two hours or £3 for up to three hours when parking after 9am and leaving by 6pm (excluding Copr Bay).
- The eight-hour parking charge at the Quadrant and Copr Bay (arena) car parks is being scrapped which means the charge for up to 12 hours will be £16.50 for residents and £17 for non-residents.
The business permits will be offered immediately, while the charges for 1-2-3 will be introduced as quickly as the payment machines can be reconfigured.
Previously a petition had been launched calling on the council to reconsider the hike in fees, which had received more than 700 signatures. Launched by Sara Thomas it reads: “We, the citizens and workers of Swansea petition the city council to reconsider the proposed rise in car parking costs, which are due to occur in April 2023. The proposed rise in car park costs is major - to be increased from £3.40 a day parking from 8.30am to up to £17 a day.
“This would result in a full time worker paying over £80 a week for parking. For the majority of workers this increase is just not feasible. It will make working in Swansea city centre impossible to afford, especially for full time workers, which will make them search elsewhere for work.”
It added: “I propose to keep the car park costs at an affordable level foreveryone, with concessions for workers, so we can continue to use Swansea city and keep businesses going.” Many left comments on the petition supporting a U-turn, including Ross Lock who wrote: “Really sad to see such a hostile approach to city centre business and workers. On the current cost of living crisis and situation where a large number of multi national brands have left the city centre, the council should be doing everything in its power to encourage those that have remained to do so, the effects of these charges will reduce footfall and the pool of available workers in the city centre.”
Ceri Jones wrote: “I work in Swansea and don’t think £17/day is fair, costs less to go on train to Cardiff for people looking to shop, Swansea will be empty of tourists, absolutely ridiculous.” While Jordan Stephen wrote: “These price increases are so out of touch it’s unreal. The city centre is already struggling. Why would anyone choose to work or shop in Swansea when you have to pay London prices to park. These price increases will kill off the city centre if not adjusted. People just can’t afford to pay it.”
Ruth Cronin wrote: “I occasionally work for events in the arena. I used to pay £2 parking a shift, now it will cost £16+. Cycling, catching a bus or finding street parking is not a viable or safe option when finishing 11pm and later”, and Andrew Gallagher wrote: “To ask people to pay £200 a month on parking is absolutely vile and disgusting – £2,400 a year off my small salary before I’ve done any work.”
Patrina Davies added: “These charges will have a direct impact on the local business.” A link to the petition can be found by clicking here.
Speaking about the new schemes being introduced on Tuesday, Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “We introduced new parking charges earlier this week which were the first increase since 2014, but at the same time we fully recognise the cost-of-living crisis is still impacting on families and businesses.
“We have heard the calls for us to continue our long-standing support and therefore we are bringing forward these offers to do just that. We want to support our city centre business and those workers in the city centre so we’re making available an extra 700 parking for employers which means their staff can park for £1.35 a day which is exceptionally good value.
“We’re returning the popular 1-2-3 parking offer in the city centre (excluding Copr Bay) offering parking for £1 an hour £2 for two hours and £3 for up to three hours is among the cheapest city centre parking anywhere in the country. We are doing everything we can to continue to support the people and local businesses in Swansea and these discounts will make a huge difference to those working and shopping in the city centre.”
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