Councillors in Powys have slammed the outcome of a review into car parking.

Powys councillor Graham Breeze, who called for the review after a rise in parking charges last year, says councillors "are being taken for fools” over the recommendations of a report into the county’s car parks.

Newtown councillor Pete Lewington added that town centres are being “sacrificed” by the proposals.

The review, published today (September 4) recommends reinstating a one hour parking charge to long-stay car parks in the towns where there are no short-stay car parks, raising tariffs for people parking between two and four hours and for full days in the same long-stay car parks, and ending free parking for events unless the budget can accommodate all costs.

Cllr Breeze said: “I am very unhappy with the contents of the Car Parking Review which will be discussed by the Economy, Residents and Communities Scrutiny Committee on Monday, in particular with new proposals that in fact will lead to increased charges for some areas of Powys including Welshpool.

READ MORE: Some Powys car parks may restore one-hour charges - but other fees could rise

“I welcome that our recommendations for a return of the one hour parking tariff have been recognised but I will be strongly opposing any plans which mean Welshpool’s larger car parks will not be included.

“As one of the councillors who asked for this review, I certainly did not expect the charges to go up. The idea was to protect our town centres not completely close them down. Councillors are being taken for fools by these proposals.”

Cllr Lewington added: “I am frustrated and disappointed to see the recommendations within this report as I have fought long and hard for a fair £1 for 1 hour parking for our town.

(Image: NQ)

“Only recently we saw the closure of a long-standing town centre butchery business with the owner citing the £2.50 for one hour’s parking charge as a significant factor in a reduction in customers.

“Businesses continue to see reduced footfall as a consequence of these astronomic car parking charges and whilst I am pleased to see this has been acknowledged in other towns across Powys, I really don’t understand why Newtown has been excluded.

“I fail to see what this will do to attract and retain tourist visitors to our town and even at this late stage I urge cabinet to think again and act to save Newtown Town centre. Once they have bled businesses dry where they will turn next?

“When I see comments from the cabinet member for a Greener Powys saying ‘Powys County Council is committed to an approach which achieves a reduction in car use’ I worry that our town centres are being sacrificed on the altar of political ideology.”