Row over proposed Llanelli residents parking permit scheme
Residents say the scheme will treat them as cash cows and claim there will not be enough parking bays
Proposals for a residents only parking permit scheme in an area of Llanelli have been criticised.
Residents argue the Carmarthenshire Council scheme has little benefit and would result in them paying for the privilege of parking when there wouldn't be enough spaces anyway and weekends being even more problematic.
Brynmor Evans, who lives in Alban Road, has rallied against the scheme on behalf of neighbours and claims the permits serve no purpose and that it is a money making scheme.
He said the 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday plans do not have enough spaces for residents, claiming it will only cause a ripple effect of people trying to park in nearby streets within the scheme - when they find no spaces outside their own homes.
Alban Road was initially part of the scheme but has now been removed due to what Mr Evans believes was the amount of backlash the county council received to the proposals.
Other streets within the scheme are parts of Glenalla Road, parts of James Street and Swansea Road.
The latter two have problems with commuters parking there during the week according to Mr Evans, who claims the streets have been regularly used to park in by Carmarthenshire Council staff who work at the authority's nearby East Gate offices.
It is recognised that during the Covid-19 pandemic there are less commuters working at the offices the moment.
Mr Evans said the parking problems in the streets earmarked for permits will arise in the evenings when householders would be reluctant to go anywhere in case they lose their space to another car.
He believes residents would be "prisoners in own homes" after 8pm and all day on Sunday for fear of losing their spaces if they venture out under the permit scheme.
Along with proposals for double yellow lines in parts and the existing Welsh Water Rainscape planters on pavements and trees that line some areas, it will see less spaces available if the plans go ahead.
Mr Evans said: "There are also small roads crossing between James Street and Glenalla Road, full of cars and vans in the evenings and weekends, but new yellow lines and waiting limits will reduce the available space.
"These vehicles will not disappear once the scheme is introduced and it is not rocket science to guess where they will displace to."
Mr Evans added: "There will be a ripple effect of people with permits looking to park in any of the streets."
The council outlines that the permit scheme will help residents to park outside their properties, however on the authority's website Mr Evans points out it states residents are not guaranteed a space outside their homes - only permission to park anywhere within the permit zone if spaces are available.
Each parking permit would cost £30 per year and with many homes having two cars that doubles to £60 plus another £30 for a visitor permit.
Mr Evans argued: "Sunday is going to be a free for all with much bad feeling as locals contest for parking.
"We are being treated like cash cows, with a potential of raising in excess of £18,000 a year.
"It is nothing less than a shameless money raising scheme by Carmarthenshire Council, endorsed by our local representatives."
Mr Evans also questions the way surveys have been carried out over how many residents out of 187 homes in the area are reportedly in favour of the scheme.
The council has stated 68% of residents surveyed are in favour but Mr Evans' own calculations result in a figure almost half that at 32% in favour.
Mr Evans, in his letter of objection to the plans, argues Carmarthenshire Council has no written policy on parking permits, which he says should be fundamental.
He said: "I am told the bar for introducing residents parking is incredibly high, needing at least 80% approval from residents.
"However that's not in writing anywhere with Carmarthenshire Council, it's not a written policy for them like Swansea or Cardiff councils have."
A consultation with residents into the permit scheme closed on April 9.
Carmarthenshire Council said it cannot comment on the concerns of residents during the ongoing consultation, but would encourage people to use the opportunity to give their views and feedback before the consultation closes.
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