Bringing back the one hour parking charge and ending free parking for events are among the recommendations put forward in Powys County Council’s review of car parks.

Towns such as Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Presteigne and Ystradgynlais, could see the one-hour parking charge reinstated in long-stay car parks after Powys County Council’s review, published on Wednesday, September 4.

But other users could be charged more to pay for it, with tariffs rising for people parking between two and four hours, and for full days in the same long-stay car parks.

Now the review has been completed after a series of meetings, discussions and data analysis, the report and its recommendations will be taken to cabinet and discussed by the scrutiny committee.

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Free parking for events will cease if the report’s recommendations are approved, unless the budget can accommodate all associated costs.

New charges could also be introduced in off-street council car parks where parking is currently free.

And people with car park permits may find themselves restricted to single, specific car parks, or forking out for an upgrade to use in multiple county car parks.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “Although delivering sustainable transport in rural areas is challenging, Powys County Council is committed to an approach which achieves a reduction in car use and recognises the need to provide safe and convenient parking within our towns.

“However, this comes at a cost. Powys County Council is currently forecasting a funding shortfall, based on national fiscal analysis, of more than £9.6million for the next financial year with that figure rising to £50.9 million or more over the next four years.

 “Sustainable Powys is an approach the council is taking to be innovative and pro-active to re-think how services are delivered to meet future budget pressures. We want a council of the future that delivers quality local government services for our communities with better outcomes.

“This need to be affordable to deliver for our residents and businesses, and affordable for us to deliver and sustain for future generations is a key part in reaching our goals for Net Zero by 2030.

 “We believe the recommendations put forward from this car park review deliver for both the communities and the county council going forward.”