The Vale of Glamorgan Council has explained why it recently installed the currently bare signage posts that have appeared on Cliff Hill and Cliff Road.

They have stated health and safety and the preservation of the existing cast iron posts as their reasoning.

Signage delineating new parking restrictions will be affixed to the new posts, but some residents have said they unnecessarily "clutter up" the Esplanade.

"These new poles are both unnecessary and intrusive," Anne Evans of the Penarth Civic Society told Nub News.

"We appreciate that the Vale Council needs to control parking and that signage is needed, but surely the signs could be put on the existing lampposts?"

Responding to this, Miles Punter (Director of Environment & Housing Services for the Vale of Glamorgan Council) said:

"Unfortunately, we could not be confident that the old cast iron posts would take the wind loading of the parking signs that are shortly to be installed.

"We are looking to preserve these columns as you know and whilst we would rather not have the additional posts, we considered this a better option than potentially risking catastrophic failure of the historic cast iron units."

In light of this response, Penarth Civic Society now criticise the Council for their lack of prior communication on the matter.

"It is disappointing that we were not told in advance which could have avoided some of the ill-feeling this episode has generated," says Anne Evans.

"The posts do, however, remain an eyesore and we will continue to liaise with the council about lamp posts and similar."

The installation of the signage signifies the beginning of radical parking changes that are coming to the Esplanade and surrounding streets.

Cliff Road and Cliff Hill will be affected in the following ways:

Limited Waiting 10.00 am to 7.00 pm for a maximum period of 2 hours, return prohibited within 2 hours:

• Cliff Hill Penarth - On the south-east side from a point 18.6 metres south-west of the south-western building line of the Lifeboat Station south-westwards for a distance of 293.3 metres (AM65 & AN65)

• Cliff Road Penarth - On the south-east side from a point 334.1metres south-west of the south-western building line of the Lifeboat Station south-westwards for a distance of 51.0 metres (AN65)

Proposed Prohibition of Overnight Parking and Stopping of Goods Vehicles exceeding 3.5 Tonnes (Category N1) - 11 pm until 7 am 7 Days a Week:

• Cliff Hill Penarth - On the south-east side from a point 18.6 metres south-west of the south-western building line of the Lifeboat Station south-westwards for a distance of 293.3 metres (AM65 & AN65)

• Cliff Road Penarth - On the south-east side from a point 334.1metres south-west of the south-western building line of the Life

For higher resolution on the above map, click HERE.

It is likely that the parking signs themselves will be affixed at some point next week, when the Esplanade is closed for "resurfacing works".