Council set for climb down on car park charge

3.06.53pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 3rd Jul 2009

Local Lib Dems collected hundreds of signatures against the Lower High Street car park charges

Merthyr Council looks set to climb down on plans to introduce a charge on the High Street Car park. The car park - which serves the shops near the fountain - is currently free for up to half an hour, but the council passed plans in February to introduce a 20p charges. Merthyr Lib Dems worked with local shopkeepers to campaign against the charge.

Local Lib Dem campaigner, Amy Kitcher, said, "I am delighted that local people have been listened to. The plan for the charge was completely unworkable. It was bad for local business, bad for local residents and would have been practically impossible to enforce. It is a relief for everyone that the council are going to scrap the idea."

Over 800 people signed their petition to keep the car park free - and it seems the council is listening. A report coming before the Cabinet this week will recommend scrapping the 20p charge.

Merthyr Lib Dem spokesperson, Bob Griffin, added, "It is refreshing to see a decision from Merthyr council which is supporting local businesses for once - even if it is reversing their own mistake. With free car parks in the supermarkets and Cyfarthfa retail park, it would be incredibly unfair on small independent shops to have such ridiculous charges imposed upon them."