A Powys councillor has slammed Powys County Council’s car park review, accusing it of prioritising a reduction in car use at the expense of local residents, businesses, and visitors.

Conservative Cllr Iain McIntosh (Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew) has accused the Lib Dem/Labour coalition of ignoring alternative proposals to lower car park ticket prices while still increasing revenue.

“Many visitors, residents, and businesses have expressed concerns about changes made to car park ticket prices since the Liberal Democrats and Labour took control of the council in 2022,” said Cllr McIntosh.

“I and others have shown the council how they can actually reduce ticket prices to some car parks while making more money, but they will simply not listen.”

One of the key recommendations of the review, announced yesterday, is to reinstate the one-hour parking charge in long-stay car parks, but only in towns without short-stay parking options. This includes Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Presteigne, and Ystradgynlais.

But this would not include Brecon and Llandrindod Wells.

Cllr McIntosh has questioned whether the council’s actions truly serve the interests of local communities.

“Following Cllr (Jackie) Charlton's revelation that under the Lib/Lab coalition, 'the Council is committed to an approach which achieves a reduction in car use,' it is now clear that there was never any hope of a policy to help drivers,” he argued.

“Instead, their priority is to punish the worker, shopper, and visitor into submission.”

One of the other key recommendations of the review is to increase tariffs for stays of between two and four hours, as well as all-day parking charges.

Cllr McIntosh also raised concerns about Powys County Council’s financial outlook, with a projected funding shortfall of £50.9 million over the next four years.

“For the previous 14 years, her and her Lib/Lab colleagues have always blamed the Conservatives in Westminster for insufficient funding. With Labour in Government, who are they going to blame now?” he added.

The car park review, led by independent consultants AtkinsRealis, considered a variety of factors, including town centre footfall, the needs of local communities, and the council’s Sustainable Transport Hierarchy.

Powys County Council declined to comment on Cllr McIntosh's remarks, directing attention to a news release issued earlier in the day.

The recommendations from the review will be discussed by the council’s scrutiny committee on Monday, September 9.

Cabinet will then consider the recommendations along with scrutiny views later in the month.