Residents and business owners in Llandaff are disappointed about Cardiff Council’s decision to end free parking near the high street.
The plans will remove the current two-hour free parking and replace it with charges starting at 50 pence for one hour.
People who visit the high street are now parking on nearby streets which is causing difficulties for residents.
Joanna Warlow, who lives in Llandaff described the parking situation as “carnage” , particularly during school hours at the nearby Cathedral School. She also warned that emergency vehicles could struggle to get through.
If an ambulance comes, they’re not going to be able to get through here”
Local business manager Marc Roberts from Heathcock Bakery and Deli, fears that removing free parking will drive customers away from Llandaff High Street altogether.
“The likelihood is it will discourage people coming to the high street at all. It’s the kind of high street you don’t need to stay long but just pop into the pharmacy, get milk from the local shop, go to the chemist, or go to the Post Office.”
He added, “There’s plenty of local businesses like us that rely on the public to come in on a Saturday morning. This will get rid of the community feel that we have here and it’s a tight knit community. It’s our livelihood and this will massively affect our everyday lives.”
Llandaff Councillor Sean Driscoll has started a petition calling on the council to make a U-turn on this decision. In the petition, he says that the difficult financial budget of the Council shouldn’t come at the detriment of high street businesses. With some businesses already operating on a knife edge, he is calling for the council to reconsider the removal of free parking, arguing that it could be the final blow for many struggling local traders.
The petition is ongoing and currently has more than 3,000 signatures. He has also shared a letter to local residents urging them to email their objections to Cardiff Council.
Cardiff Council has defended the decision, saying: “The council’s budget position for the last two years has been challenging.” They added that the changes would come into effect later this year following the legal process.
With no confirmed start date yet, businesses and residents are hoping the council will listen to their concerns and consider adjustments before the changes are introduced.