The following is a press release provided by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council will shortly introduce car parking charges at two town centres and its country parks in an effort to make this provision more sustainable.

Charges for leaving a vehicle in car parks at Porthkerry and Cosmeston Country Parks, Wyndham Street in Barry and the Town Hall in Cowbridge are coming into force.

Legal notices advising of the impending changes have been issued, though the Council will not enforce them until Wales is at Covid-19 Alert Level One.

There is a cost to operating these car parks, many of which are used by visitors from outside the Vale, and this system offers a way to pay for their maintenance.

Car parking at a country parks will cost £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to four hours and £4 all day, while it is also possible to purchase six and 12-month permits.

The charges at Cosmeston will not take effect until a resident parking scheme has been implemented in nearby streets to tackle the issue of displacement parking.

There will be two hours free parking available at Wyndham Street in Barry and the Town Hall in Cowbridge, with it costing £4 for up to four hours and £6 all day. Blue badge holders are exempt.

Parking season tickets for coastal resorts are also being introduced.

Cllr Peter King, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Transport, said: "The introduction of car park charges at these locations has been the subject of lengthy engagement, consultation and debate. The proposals were approved following a process of scrutiny by Elected Members of the Council, who agreed them at the two all-party Scrutiny Meetings.

"Our primary aim is the better management of parking at our resorts and country parks and in our town centres. There is a cost to doing that and to maintaining and sustaining them. Our highly regarded country parks are used by many people from outside the Vale of Glamorgan, as well as residents, and it is only reasonable that visitors should help pay for their upkeep and all money generated will be used for this purpose.

"There continues to be free parking available in both Barry and Cowbridge town centres on-street and off-street, and the introduction of charges in Wyndham Street, Barry and Town Hall car park, Cowbridge is designed to increase turnover of spaces, which should help local businesses."