Vale MP Alun Cairns has met with local traders on Holton Road to discuss the new parking restrictions introduced by the Vale Council.
Joined by Conservative Cllrs Vince Bailey and Leighton Rowlands, they learned that businesses were not consulted over the plans and have already seen the impact on their trade.
As shopping centres begin to open again after months of closure through the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic, local independent businesses are in need of the greatest levels of support. However, the new restrictions include bollards on Holton Road which prevent customers from parking directly outside their shops. This has created an additional and unnecessary barrier for shoppers.
The barriers are intended to create bigger pedestrian areas to assist with social distancing.
Following the meeting, Mr Cairns wrote to the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllrs Neil Moore and Liz Burnett, to request an emergency meeting between the Vale Council and local traders to try to find a workable way forward.
Mr Cairns said, “I visited lots of traders on Holton Road and it was clear that the parking restrictions which have been introduced are deeply problematic at a time when local businesses need support. That’s why we need the Council leaders to meet with us directly, as a matter of urgency, to discuss a way forward.”
Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Bailey, also commented, “We saw first-hand the hugely detrimental impacts these bollards and cones are having on trade in Barry, and it is the same in other towns across the Vale. These measures are making things worse. It is vital we get our local economy moving again and that means encouraging customers into town, and not putting them off.”
