During the summer of 2005, the County Council implemented a new car parking charges policy which saw the doubling of car parking charges for car parks in Chepstow Town Centre and other towns as well as the end of free commuter car parks - such as Station Road in Chepstow for example.

Despite huge opposition from organisations such as Town Councils and Chambers of Commerce in Monmouthshire, and opposition to the plan at County Hall led by the opposition Liberal Democrats, the proposals were implemented.

This led to legal action, seeing a judicial review.

Although the increase in charges for car parks previously 'pay and park' remained,  the County Council reversed its decision to charge for previously free car parks.

This policy has been seen to be very ill-advised. As well as damaging local businesses and making towns such as Chepstow becoming less 'price attractive' when compared to free car parking on offer at Cribb's Causeway, the immediate and growing impact was on residential streets close to the town centre.

Despite the fact that the car parks will remain free,  the all-day on street parking on School Hill, for example (amongst others) continues and some people report it is as bad as ever.

In discussion with highways officers local councillors and the Focus team have been advised three possible options for residential streets suffering from all-day parking.

1: Double yellow lines

2: Introduction of a residents parking permit area

3:  Introduction of a no parking rule form 10am to 4pm.

The introduction of double yellow lines would mean traffic orders being publish with a statutory time limit for objection, which could be placed by anyone.

This is certain to cause some delay. It is also costly for the council and something that would not be officers preferred option.

The downside to double yellow lines is that no one, including residents, visitors, guest or deliveries, could park at any time.

The introduction of a residents parking permit area would also solve the problem.

However, residents would be required to pay to park on the street.  We understand that there would be a charge of £30 per year for the first car to park on the street with an annual cost around £180 for the second and subsequent cars per household. The other issue to consider is that a residents’ parking zone would be between certain hours on certain days.

Basically the introduction of a zone would mean that any resident parking outside their own home would in effect be taxed twice, as having already paid their council tax!

The introduction of a no parking between 10am and 4pm would have the advantage of preventing all-day parking.

This would allow residents, visitors etc to park when needed without causing a problem but only outside these hours. No extra charges for residents, no problems posed for visitors, deliveries, etc.

However, we are disturbed to learn that a Highways Officer has contacted a residents advising them that a resident’s parking permit system would be considered towards the end of the financial year 2006/2007.

This is in complete contrast to the discussions we have had with council officers. We are determined that a range of solutions should be given to residents and for the residents to choose!

Several streets in the St. Mary's ward in particular experience this problem. One solution in one street may not be right for another. So it is really important that as many residents as possible let us know what you think.

In order to now progress the matter and also because we have the attention of the Highways department we really want to know what you think would be the best solution for your street.

You can leave your comments in the box to the right.

If you prefer to write to us:

During the day you can usually catch Jacqui in at the Artist’s Corner shop in Beaufort Square or e-mail us at:

Please do let us know what you think. We’ll be collecting all your responses until the end of September and then present the findings to the council to get the ball rolling!


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