Caerphilly County Borough Council is to implement pay and display car parking charges at a further five of its country parks to help supplement the upkeep of these sites.
The new fees will apply to five new sites: Parc Cwm Darran, Parc Penallta, Pen y Fan Pond, Sirhowy Valley County Park and Parc Coetir Bargoed, as well as Cwmcarn Forest Drive.
The charges will be applicable seven days a week, with up to two hours costing £1 and a daily charge of £3. Blue badge holders will be entitled to three hours for £1. Annual season tickets, which can be used across all six of the county borough’s country parks, will be available for £50 for the year, or £25 for six months
The new charges were discussed and agreed by members of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 16th July.
Cllr Ken James, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Sustainable Development, said: “This authority is facing unprecedented financial pressures over the coming years, and unfortunately it is inevitable that difficult decisions are having to be made in order to prioritise and protect services.
“We have carefully considered the views of all our users and residents as part of the consultation process on this matter. While we understand that this is an emotive issue for many of our users, these charges have been implemented to generate funds to help pay for the upkeep of these sites and ensure they remain green spaces that people want to visit. Without these funds it would be extremely difficult for the council to maintain the high standards we currently see at these sites.”
