CRITICS of plans to introduce parking costs in Penarth have said the charges would “kill off the town.”

Vale council cabinet members met on Monday and approved plans to launch a consultation on introducing charges for parking in town centres, some residential streets as well as coastal car parks and country parks.

Town and community councils are being asked for their views, while a public consultation will begin on August 6.

The changes to parking, put forward in a council-commissioned report by Capita, are being discussed as the council needs to save £17 million over the next three years. Maintenance and regulation of parking spaces costs the council £360,000 per year.

In Penarth, there will be a change to on-street parking in both the town and the coastline.

Parking on-street in the town centre would be free for up to one hour, £2 for up to two hours, £4 for up to three hours, £5 for up to four hours, £6 for up to five hours and £8 all day. The areas affected by this would be Windsor Road, Glebe Street and Stanwell Road

Similar charges are also being proposed for Penarth Esplanade during the summer.

During the winter, parking at these locations would be £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to three hours, £3 for up to four hours, £4 up to five hours and £5 all day.

However, the idea of the charges has led some residents to believe that it will stop people coming to Penarth.

Paul Jones, of Penarth, said: “It is easy way to kill off the shops in the High Street. What will this money go towards? Fixing the disgusting state of our roads? I don’t think so. You need to encourage people to the town. You won’t do that with parking charges.”

Fellow resident Neil Durose had similar views to Mr Jones and described the idea as a “death shot” for the town.

Caroline Tait added: “We should be making it easier for people to come shopping in Penarth rather than going to larger retail outlets - surely this will not help support our local shops?”

However, some residents of the town believe that parking charges would be beneficial.

Hannah Poulton said the charges will be similar to that of Cardiff Bay. She said: “The town centre has a one hour parking limit in many areas anyway so it really won’t make much difference. There’s a similar system in Cardiff Bay and I never mind paying if I’m going to be over an hour.”

As well as resident parking there could be coastal car parking charges at Llwyn Passat and Cliff Walk.

New charges for all coastal car parks would apply from 8am to 8pm.

During the summer, (March 1 to October 31) the charges would be £1 for up to an hour, £3 all day and £12 for buses and coaches.

During the winter (November 1 to February 28), the charges would be 50p for up to an hour, £1.50 all day and £6 for buses and coaches.

An annual season ticket for all coastal car parks would cost £150.

Parking charges for Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, where it is currently free, would also be brought in under the proposals.

The cost to park at Cosmeston or Porthkerry Country Park would be £1 for up to two hours, £3 all day, and £10 for buses and coaches. This would be the same all year.

An annual season ticket for both country parks would cost £75.