Not a Popular Read

Thumb through today's Free Press and you'll see something unpleasant: an official notice over two pages telling us that the council is about to put up its car parking charges (from March 4th). This was discussed by the county council in the autumn and we outlined the potential changes. Since then, it seemed inevitable.

This on top of the recent official decision that council tax will increase by 9.34 per cent from April. (8.23 per cent for Denbighshire plus 1.1 per cent for the fire authority.)  This makes the front page of today's Free Press.

Parking charges will be like introducing a mouse into the elephant house at Chester zoo. There will inevitably be calls from traders and residents alike that this will be harmful. And with good reason: if ever the town was struggling, it is now. January and February are never good but this year it's worse. In reality, we doubt whether the charges increase will have an impact, though. You might argue that it couldn't get any worse. 

No one is going to enjoy paying the extra cash. But, in perspective, as we suggested in October 2023, the cost of parking has not kept pace anything like with inflation. To date, we have gotten away with it. So, perhaps it's time to take a deep breath, grit our teeth and get on with it (if you can do all these things together). 

Where I struggle with the changes, however, is the fact it appears parking charges will apply not to 5 p.m. as now but to 11 p.m. This new idea may be valid in Y Rhyl,  Prestatyn and even Llangollen where the visitor economy and population (in the north) can support it but I would question its relevance and suitability in Rhuthun/Ruthin. It will just displace parking on street where there's space or on single yellow lines, with cars at night coming and going outside people's homes. They'll potentially be everywhere. 

It seems that the county council wishes to unify the costs and the time bands across the entire county. Perhaps this is for consistency or even equity. Yet, there are already exceptions: the beach car parks and St Peter's Square. 

In October 2023, Flintshire increased its charges but it is only at Theatr Clwyd that evening charges apply (and then till 10 p.m.). Town car parks in Yr Wyddgrug/Mold charge to 3 p.m. only, all year round. In Rhuthun, you can park free after 3 p.m. at Christmastide only.

What with everything on our collective plate at present, for those who can, maybe it's time to move to Spain. (Said very much tongue in cheek: can you think of anything worse?)