Concerns widespread parking restriction plans for Llandudno could damage business

Widespread parking restrictions proposed in Llandudno could damage business in the town, says the chairman of the town’s pub watch scheme.

Conwy County Council has put out a public notice advertising a host of parking restrictions it hopes to introduce in Llandudno as well as in Craig y Don and Penrhyn Bay.

The restrictions include changes in the centre of Llandudno, including Mostyn Street, Abbey Road, Church Walks, Conway Road, The Oval, and Trinity Avenue, amongst others.

However, Llandudno’s pub watch chairman Phil Ashe believes the town already has enough parking restrictions and fears tourism could be damaged.

Mr Ashe said he was angry about the proposals, citing Conwy’s £21m budget shortfall as the reason behind the changes.

He said: “It’s going to damage tourism in Llandudno, especially in terms of day trippers.

“You won’t be able to park anywhere without getting a ticket, and I think that’s what the council are hoping because the officers within the council clearly can’t manage the money as it is, so they are finding other ways to try and tax the public.

“It is not for parking reasons. These restrictions are being introduced because the council, over the last couple of years, have spent money on vanity projects.”

Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders has urged the council to rethink the plans.

She said: “The council have already maxed out on parking restrictions here. The one thing Llandudno needs now is to keep our high street free.

“The roads around here have seen far too many parking restrictions previously.

“While I appreciate the council’s coffers are low at the moment, they should not be penalising those who want to come and spend money in our town in order to keep our high street alive.

“Our businesses are faced with massive business rates, and with a cost-of-living crisis, now is not the time for Conwy County Council to even be thinking about bringing in any more parking restrictions.

“They are targeting the wrong people, and it would be quite wrong for Conwy County Council to bring in these parking restrictions.”

A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council said: “There are a number of amendments proposed. The reason for the proposed order is to maintain the free flow of traffic and improve road safety.

“Objections, giving the grounds on which they’re being made, can be sent to the council’s traffic section by March 1.”

To view the public notice in full, visit this link. Responses to the proposed order, together with the grounds on which they are made, should be sent in writing to the Traffic Section, Environment Roads and Facilities, PO Box 1 Conwy LL30 9GN or to traffic@conwy.gov.uk by March 1, 2023.

By Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter