Council leader defends leaflets

The parking scheme has been criticised by some residents

The leader of Cardiff Council has defended delivering leaflets about a parking controversy in an area where a referendum is to be held on the issue.

Liberal Democrat Rodney Berman has been criticised by Plaid Cymru prospective assembly candidate Neil McEvoy.

Mr Berman said the leaflets had not been marked from the Lib Dems because it was not a party political issue.

He said he was simply giving information to people in Canton over controlled parking zones (CPZ).

"The public in Canton are getting a chance to vote over this," said Mr Berman.

Chief legal officer Kate Berry has considered the leaflet in question and... considers there is insufficient evidence to substantiate any complaints Cardiff Council

"It's to make it easier for residents to make an informed choice.

"The key message is that these proposals are trying to make it easier for residents to park close to their homes and for shoppers to park close to the shops."

"There were people delivering the leaflets who were not Lib Dems," he said.

"As with any debate, it is important for people to hear both sides of the story in order to make an informed choice.

"Don't people deserve to know the truth before they have their say?" he added.

But Mr McEvoy said: "It is appalling that the Lib Dem Cardiff Council leader is scurrying around Canton with his activists, dropping anonymous leaflets through people's letter boxes".

Councillor Rodney Berman was one of several people delivering leaflets

He called for the resignation of both Mr Berman and fellow councillor Elgan Morgan, the council's executive member for transportation, who was also involved in delivering the leaflets.

A spokesman for Cardiff Council said: "The council has not been formally advised of any complaint made by Plaid Cymru.

"However, the council's chief legal officer Kate Berry has considered the leaflet in question and on the facts available at the time considers there is insufficient evidence to substantiate any complaints."

The plan to introduce CPZ across areas of Cardiff has been approved by the council's executive.

It will see new parking restrictions introduced in several Cardiff districts, which also include Cathays, Gabalfa, Riverside, Roath and Cardiff Bay.

Measures will include the introduction of pay-and-display parking and paid-for permits for residents.

But there has been strong opposition to the scheme in Canton and residents will hold a referendum.

People living in the area will vote on Friday on the question 'Do you want a controlled parking zone in Canton?'. The polls on the day will open between 1600 and 2100 GMT.