Plaid Cymru’s Cardiff West Assembly candidate Neil McEvoy today hit out at car parking charges imposed in Cardiff by NCP.
It followed figures obtained by Neil McEvoy which showed that motorists using NCP car parks in Cardiff for two hours pay the second highest average price compared to 11 other major UK cities and highest among 12 cities for four hours of parking.
Neil McEvoy, leader of the Plaid group on Cardiff council, said: “I thought charges were way too high when I raised this issue late last year. And when compared to many other major UK cities it is clear that NCP is short-changing motorists in Cardiff – some might go further and say drivers are being ripped off.
“I noticed last week that Cardiff Business School surveyed 648 workers across many companies in the city and high parking charges was one of the main issues raised.
“My message of last year applies even more today. If you can’t use public transport, please do your homework before leaving home because there are several cheaper alternatives such as the St David’s shopping centre, on-street pay and display parking and the council-owned car parks around North Road. These NCP prices may put people off coming into Cardiff or mean they will shop here less frequently, hitting traders at this very difficult time.
“I know traders in the High Street area are very angry about the prices that NCP are charging and several have made representations to me.”
Neil McEvoy added: “When I raised this issue late last year, NCP’s Chief Executive Officer said they were happy with the way these car parks were performing, along with customer feedback they were receiving. I challenge them to publish feedback showing that customers are content at the prices they charge?”
Kelvin Evans, who runs Floyd’s bar in High Street, said: “I have no doubt that the exorbitant charges will make many people think twice about coming to the city centre – or reducing the frequency of visits. And traders need business badly at a time of economic trouble when many household incomes are stretched.”
