A SENIOR councillor said no “final decision” has yet been made on controversial proposals to introduce parking charges on the promenade at Old Colwyn.
Cllr Goronwy Edwards, Conwy Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure, transport, and facilities, said a final decision would be made “in due course”.
It comes after councillors representing Old Colwyn slammed the proposals as “unjust” and “undemocratic”.
Last week Conwy Council’s economy and overview and scrutiny committee re-debated the plans to charge drivers £2.50 to park on the seafront after a call-in by Old Colwyn councillors.
The committee resolved to back the call-in, deciding the matter should go back to cabinet, who were encouraged to consult further with Old Colwyn councillors after the local authority received more than 40 objection letters.
At the meeting, both residents and councillors accused Conwy Council of using the parking charges as a cash grab, rather than a measure to control traffic as they said was advised by Welsh Government.
The subsequent meeting between Old Colwyn councillors, council officers, and Cllr Goronwy Edwards, the cabinet member responsible for parking measures, took place on Monday.
Speaking after the meeting, all four Old Colwyn councillors contacted the local democracy reporting service, raising fears the decision would not go their way.
Cllr Edwards, though, has dismissed the Old Colwyn councillors’ assessment of the meeting as incorrect and said a final decision will be made “in due course”.
A statement issued on behalf of Old Colwyn councillors Cheryl Carlisle, Gail Jones and Neil Coverley reads: “Unfortunately Cllr Edwards has decided in a meeting yesterday (Monday) to go against the will of the scrutiny committee and has refused to reconsider his previous decision to impose charges for parking at the Old Colwyn end of the new promenade.
“This flies in the face of a democratic scrutiny decision, which was made because we local members provided clear and evidenced reasons as to why these charges should not go ahead.”
They said: “Other areas should be considered for charging that do not disadvantage local people and disabled residents. Our residents in Old Colwyn deserve better than this, and we will continue to fight these unjust charges.”
Fellow Old Colwyn councillor David Carr said: “It is a lack of democracy. Cllr Edwards said from the start he wasn’t going to listen to us.
“The resolution was that the cabinet members should meet the local members. But there were three officers there. They did all the talking.
“The people of Old Colwyn have definitely been let down. I asked Cllr Edwards, did he look at advice from Welsh Government that parking charges should be to manage traffic and encourage people to use public transport?
“He didn’t even answer that.” He added: “It is arrogant beyond belief. They are not putting parking charges where they actually need them in the county.”
Cllr Goronwy Edwards said the Old Colwyn councillors were “wrong” in their assessment of the meeting and that a final decision hadn’t been made.
“The statement that I came to the meeting with a predetermined response is wrong. Had that been the case, why would I have met with members yesterday?” he said.
“There has been significant investment in Colwyn Bay Promenade over the last few years, such that it is now a very busy and attractive visitor destination.
The proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) extends the Controlled Parking Zone, with charges for parking, to cover the whole length of the promenade from Rhos on Sea to Old Colwyn.”
He added: “This is in keeping with other promenades and coastal car parks in the county.
“The decision to make the TRO was called in and debated by scrutiny committee and in accordance with the committee recommendation.
“I met with local members on Monday to listen to their concerns regarding charging on the Old Colwyn section of the promenade, which is 600m of the total 4KM length.
“Their representations will be considered, and a final decision made in due course.”
