Two to one for city zone parking

Parking zones are set to be introduced in the city

Controlled parking zones (CPZ) in some of Cardiff's busiest suburbs are favoured two to one by residents in the affected areas, a report suggests.

More than 4,500 people took part in a consultation exercise by Cardiff Council over the issue.

Six areas have been earmarked for the parking zones, but there was opposition at a public meeting in Canton.

There has also been resistance from small businesses who fear the proposals will be detrimental to their trade.

A two-month consultation exercise was carried out in the six areas where the parking plans are in place: Cardiff Bay, Canton, Cathays, Gabalfa, Riverside and Roath.

Doing nothing is not an option unless we want to see out roads and streets gridlocked in 20-years-time Cllr Elgan Morgan

The plans would involve introducing pay and display restrictions as well as parking permits for residents.

The council introduced the proposals after warning that parking problems were expected to increase.

According to the results of the consultation, residents were in favour of the proposed measures in the six areas at a rate of two to one.

Although general businesses, commuters and visitors indicated they were opposed to the proposals, a third of businesses were in favour.

The majority of people wanted of a limit of two residents parking permits per households and no pay and display enforced on Sundays.

Congested roads

Elgan Morgan, executive member for transportation, said: "It was important to gauge public opinion to the schemes proposed for certain areas of Cardiff.

"I hope people have understood that Cardiff is one of the fastest growing youngest cities, so we have to introduce new measures to help address our growing traffic problems.

"Doing nothing is not an option unless we want to see out roads and streets gridlocked in 20-years-time.

"Some shoppers and commuters park in our streets for hours - even all day - to the detriment of others, particularly local residents.

"This is patently wrong, and is one of the main reasons behind CPZs - to make the parking system fairer and easier for everyone.

"They are not a revenue raising exercise but a way of ensuring our streets do not become completely gridlocked."

In two recent surveys, Cardiff was said to be the least car-friendly place for motorists in the UK and driving in the city was worse than driving in London.

The problem of congested roads in the city has even prompted the council to consider introducing a congestion charge to encourage commuters to use public transport.

The findings of the consultation exercise will be discussed by the Environmental Scrutiny Committee on 3 July.

The proposals are likely to be approved despite a signature containing thousands of names opposed to the plan being submitted to the council.

Canton Residents' Action Committee said its own door-to-door survey found more than half of residents were opposed to the parking scheme.

It said less than 25% of residents across the zone areas had responded to the council consultation.