Ghost town fears over car charges

Traders fear shoppers will be put off by parking charges

Shoppers and traders in Caldicot fear that it will turn into a "ghost town" if plans to charge motorists to park are approved.

Currently, the town's car parks are free to use, but plans by Monmouthshire Council could see motorists being charged to park.

Local shop owners, who describe the centre of Caldicot as a "pop-in place", fear it will reduce customer numbers.

The council has launched a consultation about the plans.

Ron Burnett, who runs the Five a Day fruit and veg shop in the town centre said the plans would have a detrimental effect.

He said that Caldicot was among several other towns and villages in Monmouthshire which was having car parking charges introduced or raised.

Ron Burnett worries about the future of his shop

"Caldicot is already a very quiet place but we get a lot of people popping into town for their paper or to go to the bakery or just picking up a few odd bits," he said.

"But if people are going to be charged every time they want to use the car parks they are not going to do that anymore.

"A lot of my customers have told me that if it was going to cost them every time they wanted to come into town, they would just do without and manage until they do their next big shop.

"And that is going to have a massive impact on all of the shops here," he said.

Mr Burnett said that the plans to bring in car parking charges had provoked strong reaction from customers and traders alike.

"We have already collected a 5,000 signature petition against the plans," he said.

Owen Bevan said that businesses need passing trade

"A lot of my customers have told me they will stop coming into town so often if they have to pay to park.

His comments were echoed by estate agent Owen Bevan.

"It is hard enough to run a business - you need passing trade.

"If people stop coming in because they have to pay to park, where does that leave the traders?"

And shoppers in the town were equally opposed to the plans.

"I come into Caldicot every lunch time - I buy my sandwich and a paper and just have a stroll around town," said Pete Smith who works at nearby Portskewett.

"But if it means I am going to have to pay to come in, then I will find somewhere else to go where I don't have to pay."

And another shopper, who did not want to be named, said that her trips into town would stop if parking charges were introduced.

"I come into town at least three times a week," she said.

"But, quite simply, if I had to pay to park then I would stop."

A spokeswoman for Monmouthshire Council said a public consultation into the proposals was underway.