Local Transport Today is the authoritative, independent journal for transport decision makers. Analysis, Comment & News on Transport Policy, Planning, Finance and Delivery since 1989.

Parking charges for South Wales stations?

PARKING

06 July 2018
 

A big expansion of car parking at railway stations in south-east Wales could be partially funded by introducing parking charges.

Improving access to stations is one of seven priority interventions in the draft transport strategy of the newly formed Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority. 

One element is to “improve access to [the] rail network and shift car users off the most congested highway routes by providing a minimum of 5,000 park-and-ride spaces to relieve congestion on the A470 corridor, the A4042/A472 corridor, the M4/A48 corridor to the east of Newport and the M4/A48 corridor to the west of Cardiff”. 

The draft strategy says: “This programme could be part-funded by car park charging.” Also proposed are improved active travel routes to key stations and improvements to public transport interchanges.

In common with many former Passenger Transport Executive areas in England, local authorities provide free car parking at Valley Lines stations on the basis that charging would displace some journeys onto congested roads. 

In 2010, Caerphilly County Borough Council planned a £1.50 daily charge for parking at nine of its 12 Valley Lines station car parks, saying they generated no income but cost the council more than £86,000 per annum. 

The authority dropped the plan in 2011 after receiving more than 100 complaints and opposition from a local Assembly Member, who argued that charges would deter people from using the train or generate parking problems in streets near the stations.

The case for charging may have changed since 2010 because of increased congestion and parking difficulties in Cardiff and because the £734m modernisation of the Core Valley Lines will greatly increase train capacity and service frequencies in 2022 and 2023, while also cutting journey times. Annual fares increases will be limited to RPI+1%.

European Union grants funded many new and enlarged car parks at Valleys stations but will not be available for the 5,000 new spaces. Some spaces are likely to be at new stations, notably Llanwern, east of Newport.

Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Senior Transport Planner
Wigan Council
Wigan
Grade 9, £37,336 - £42,403 per annum.
View all Vacancies
 
Search
 
 
 

TransportXtra is part of Landor LINKS

© 2024 TransportXtra | Landor LINKS Ltd | All Rights Reserved

Subscriptions, Magazines & Online Access Enquires
[Frequently Asked Questions]
Email: subs.ltt@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7959

Shop & Accounts Enquires
Email: accounts@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7855

Advertising Sales & Recruitment Enquires
Email: daniel@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7861

Events & Conference Enquires
Email: conferences@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7865

Press Releases & Editorial Enquires
Email: info@transportxtra.com | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7875

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Advertise

Web design london by Brainiac Media 2020