Neath Port Talbot Council is considering measures to address parking fee evasion in its country parks to boost revenue and improve services
Neath Port Talbot: The local council is looking into ways to tackle the issue of people not paying for parking in its country parks. They’ve been losing a chunk of revenue, about 20%, because some folks just aren’t paying up.
Recently, council members gathered to chat about how to improve the parking situation at popular spots like Gnoll Country Park and Margam Country Park. They’re thinking about making some changes to how things are run.
A report shared with the councillors pointed out that due to some staff changes, there’s a chance to create a more consistent approach to parking enforcement. This could help stop the revenue leak.
They mentioned that the Leisure Tourism Heritage & Culture service is facing budget challenges, and tightening up on parking could ease some of that pressure. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but they’re hopeful.
With new tenants at Afan Argoed and some big projects at Gnoll, the parks are in a state of change. Right now, both Afan Argoed and Gnoll are using a pay-and-display system, but enforcement has been a bit hit or miss.
To tackle this, they’re considering hiring parking enforcement officers to keep an eye on things and make sure people are paying. They also want to improve cashless payment options to make it easier for everyone.
Another idea on the table is promoting the council’s All Parks Pass, which could help spread out parking costs and offer some perks, like discounts on food. They’re also looking at a small price increase for parking, but access to the parks will still be free.
They’ll be discussing these plans further at a council meeting in January, hoping to bring in around £142,000 in revenue. It’s all about finding a way to keep the parks running smoothly while making sure everyone contributes.