Oppostion leaders have welcomed changes to unpopular hikes in parking charges in Swansea, with one saying common sense had prevailed. Swansea Labour decided to increase charges at council-run car parks at a cabinet meeting in January after nine years of no rises.
The new charges came into effect this month, and although Swansea residents can get a discount via an app, there has been a backlash. One person described on social media how he was charged £30 for parking at the new car park by Swansea Arena after an eight-hour shift. "Words fail me," he said. "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."
The increase in charges vary from car park to car park but the council announced on April 18 that it had had a partial rethink, and announced new city centre offers. Liberal Democrat opposition leader, Cllr Chris Holley, who put forward an unsuccessful amendment to freeze city centre parking charges when the 2023-24 budget was approved in March, said he welcomed the administration's change of heart. "If they had listened to us and gone with our amendment we wouldn't be in this situation," said Cllr Holley. "It's ridiculous - we want to encourage people to go to the city centre."
