TRADERS in Park Crescent are appealing for a relaxation of the parking restrictions during the winter months.

Twenty-nine of them had signed a petition which they had presented to Coun. Alex Barbrook, who raised the issue, at a meeting of the Barry Public Works and Planning Committee on Monday.

Coun. Barbrook said the traders appreciated that in the summer months with the holiday traffic the parking restrictions, from 9am to 9pm, every day of the week were a necessity.

“But in the winter months they don’t see why their businesses should be affected by the fact that people are unable to park their cars for a few minutes outside their shops,” declared Coun. Barbrook.

Maintaining that traffic was comparatively light in the winter months, Coun. Barbrook said the traders thought that the parking restrictions could be relaxed, say from October to the end of March.

The chairman, Coun. John Alfred, said the parking restriction was very serious for the traders as they were continued until 9pm.

The Borough Engineer (Mr John Nicholson) said in the first place they should ask the police for their observations and this was agreed.

Members also jumped to the defence of local small traders when the committee was asked to consider an application for planning approval for another supermarket – this time a retail supermarket of 45,000 square feet.

The application had been submitted by Mendip (Bermuda) Ltd. in respect of a site on the Atlantic Trading Estate.

There would be parking space for 500 vehicles.

Coun. Ron Potter, moving that the application be refused, said they as a planning authority were not merely confined to bricks and mortar; they had to consider the economic effect of planning applications on the people of the town.

“These supermarkets are having an adverse effect on many small traders in the town…and they are really feeling the pinch,” he said.

Coun. Robert Cornwall said there was another point of view to consider – that of the shopper.

They wanted to shop where the cheapest and best quality goods were offered.

The council also wanted to see the Atlantic Trading Estate in a flourishing position.

A supermarket there would offer increased rateable value and thereby help the ratepayers.

Coun. Barbrook said that would be balanced by the closing of small shops.

Coun. Cornwall also pointed out that there would be increased employment as a result of the supermarket, to which Coun Barbrook replied that many of the shops that would be closed employed one or two assistants.

The chairman, Coun. John Alfred said they must take into account that they had already passed plans for three supermarkets.

“I doubt if Cardiff has as many supermarkets if you take the population into account,” he said.

On the majority vote it was decided to turn down the application on the grounds that the town was “already adequately served by that type of business.”