Bridgend County Borough Council has introduced a special Wednesday afternoon car parking rate of £1 for drivers visiting council-operated car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl.
The new rate will apply to both the Rhiw multi-storey in Bridgend town centre and Hillsboro Place car park in Porthcawl on Wednesdays after 12pm, and has been introduced as a way of attracting more visitors during periods that are traditionally quieter and less busy.
It is being provided in addition to the existing lower tariffs of 30 pence and 70 pence at the Rhiw and 70 pence in Hillsboro Place.
Plans are also being developed that will see the creation of larger parking bays at the Rhiw multi-storey to make it more suitable for families, parents with pushchairs and drivers with disabilities.
The move follows a recent announcement that the council will again provide free car parking at all town centre public car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl during the two weeks leading up to Christmas 2010.
Designed to attract as many shoppers as possible during the festive season, the free car parking initiative will coincide with Christmas festival events in Bridgend town centre organised by Bridgend Festivals.
These include a Christmas Market between 10-18 December and visits from Santa Claus at a grotto set up in Dunraven Place every Saturday between 27 November-18 December. More events are being organised as part of the Christmas Market and will be announced soon.
The free Christmas car parking will be available after 2pm at all council-operated car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl between Monday 13 – Saturday 18 December, and after 10am at all council-operated car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl between Monday 20 – Friday 24 December. It will also be available all day at the council’s Sunnyside Offices in Bridgend on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 December.
Council Leader Mel Nott said: “The new rate of £1 for Wednesday afternoons has been introduced following consultation with local traders as a way of encouraging more people to visit our town centre shops during traditionally quieter periods.
“Meanwhile, free Christmas car parking is being provided in support of the council’s ongoing regeneration plans for the area and for the benefit of local businesses during the festive period.”
Free car parks are already available at Pencoed and Maesteg. Parking is also free every Sunday throughout the year at most public car parks in Bridgend County Borough, and on Sundays in Porthcawl throughout the winter.
