Nearly £11,000 in fines have been given out at the Cosmeston Lakes car park in just seven months. Controversial new parking rules were introduced at a number of car parks across the Vale of Glamorgan area, including at the popular lake spot.
Recently released figures showed that between July 2021 and February 2022, £10,890 in penalty charge notices for unpaid parking were handed out with £1881 still unpaid. Paid parking was introduced on July 19, 2021.
Some have welcomed the new parking rules, while others have questioned where the money is being invested. Vale of Glamorgan council said it is "vital" they recoup the costs incurred by parking provision. The money raised through the car park is intended to support educational and environmental services in the area.
READ MORE: What it's really like parking in Cardiff's worst car park
Mrs O’Brien lives right next to the park on Byrd Crescent. She said “I’d like to see the money used for the park, especially for more bins, both rubbish and dog poo bins. Car parking charges have their place, but it’s only a good thing if money is being returned to the park and the area.”
She said the nearest dog poo bin was more than a mile walk into the park from her house. Resident Charlie O’Brien, 36, added: “They seem to have removed a lot of the bins in the park, especially the dog poo bins. I go every day and the path is covered with poo sometimes. I do not think there is one bin until you get to the lake now.”
The council had projected a net income figure of nearly £117,000 if parking charges were introduced in Cosmeston as well as car parks in Porthkerry, Barry and Cowbridge. A Vale of Glamorgan council spokesperson said: “Car parking charges were introduced at Cosmeston Country Park following a long period of scrutiny and debate.
“It is vital that the Council recoups the costs linked to car parking provision, as well as those associated with maintaining areas such as our highly regarded country parks. These are used by many people from outside the Vale of Glamorgan as well as residents. It is reasonable that visitors should help pay for their upkeep and all money generated is being used for this purpose.”
Others support the changes, saying it will provide money for the council. "Charging is a good idea as the council needs more funds,” said Juliet Newman.
Susie James added: “I bought an annual pass the day they came out. I use Cosmeston around three times a week, so I have no complaints at all, and it works out at less than £1 per week for me.”
The parking charges include £1 up to 2 hours, £2 for up to four hours, or £4 for the entire day. Season permits of six months and 12 months are also available. The council does not record the cost of enforcement.
To prevent parking in nearby residential areas, the Vale of Glamorgan council also introduced permits on Cosmeston Drive and Lavernock Park that some say have caused problems. Michael Garland, from Cosmeston Drive, said: “The charges are driving people to park on the estate. People park in the narrow roads at the top of the estate either thinking resident parking doesn’t apply here or the parking officers will not go that far into the estate.”
Nicola Penny, 49, has lived in Cosmeston for nearly 20 years and visits the park occasionally. She has campaigned to get rid of the parking permits. She said: “I tried and tried to raise support for it to be abolished but while the neighbours agreed, nobody seemed to have the time to act.”
Chloe Bullock, 30, on Bittern Way, said the restriction of one visitor permit per household was frustrating. She said: "It’s caused problems where we’ve had to move both our cars onto the road so visitors can park in our drive congesting the roads. I’m getting married in September. I’d like to have family to stay over but I have no idea how it’s going to work. It seems unreasonable that I can’t host a party once in a while when there is no nearby alternative for friends to park.
A Vale of Glamorgan council spokesperson said: “The associated residential parking scheme has been brought in after comprehensive engagement with the local community indicated the majority of residents were in favour of its introduction. It is designed to protect residents from possible displacement parking caused by visitors to the country park.
“Free parking permits are available for every vehicle registered at an address, while each household is also entitled to a free visitor permit. Many properties in this area also benefit from off-street parking or drives which can accommodate at least one vehicle and more in many cases.”
