Drivers will soon have to pay to park their cars at a number oflocations in Penarth.

Yesterday (Thursday Vale of Glamorgan Council's cabinet members agreed in principle to parking charges being introduced at car parks in and around Barry and Penarth and to new on-street charges for a number of locations at Barry Island and Penarth seafront.

At a meeting on Thursday, January 9, cabinet members also agreed in principle to the closure of Court Road Car Park in Barry town centre – a facility the council said was costing it £80,000 a year to operate.

It is hoped the changes will help Vale of Glamorgan Council pay to look after car parks and tourist hotspots amid growing financial pressure, but concerns have been raised.

Plaid Cymru group leader at Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Ian Johnson, said the proposals would have a "massive impact" and criticised the local authority for "trying to railroad" changes through in "just a few days".

On the Court Road Car Park proposal, Cllr Johnson said Barry town centre was full "to bursting point" and that closing the multi-storey car park would cause a "huge headache for shoppers."

Car parking charges will be introduced at the following locations in the Vale:

• The Knap Car Park (Barry) – 164 spaces
• Bron Y Mor (Barry) – 67 spaces
• Penarth Cliff Walk – 177 spaces
• Portabello (Ogmore-by-Sea) – 25 spaces
• West Farm (Southerndown) – 22 spaces

Parking season tickets will continue to be available for residents, traders and other frequent visitors.

Season tickets will not be available for on-street areas where charges will be brought in.

The leader of the council, Cllr Lis Burnett, said the council was also exploring the possibility of the cost of parking season tickets being spread out for certain people.

However, she added that conversations with the local credit union on this were yet to be finalised.

On-street car parking charges at Barry Island will affect Paget Road, Breaksea Drive, Friars Road and Station Approach Road.

Parking charges at Penarth seafront will affect The Esplanade, Cliff Hill, Cliff Parade and sections of Beach Road and Bridgeman Road.

As footfall increases in places like Barry Island, there is a significant cost to maintaining toilets and carrying out a beach cleansing regime, according to Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet member for neighbourhood and building services, Cllr Mark Wilson.

He said: "We want to maintain the high quality and high standards… but of course that comes with a cost and we want to support that cost."

In relation to Court Road Car Park, the cabinet member said a considerable amount of capital funding was required to repair defects there.

He also said that by closing the multi-storey car park, the council hoped to encourage more people to travel by walking, cycling and using public transport.

Plaid Cymru group leader at the council, Cllr Ian Johnson, said: "It is shocking that Labour are trying to railroad these far-reaching changes through the council in just a few days at the start of the new year, going to Cabinet on Thursday and then as an urgent item to scrutiny next Tuesday.

"This gives councillors and the general public little opportunity to discuss and scrutinise proposals which will have a massive impact upon Barry Island, the Knap and other tourist areas, and also Barry town centre.

"Barry town centre is already full to bursting point with car parking space at a premium, so closing the multi-storey car park will cause a huge headache for shoppers, Holton Road businesses and schools, and, of course, local residents, causing a ripple effect of parking problems around the town centre.

"What does it say for the Vale Council's management of its own assets if they have to close down a car park because of maintenance problems?"

Labour Vale of Glamorgan Council member, Cllr Ruba Sivagnanam, said the council was trying to protect local residents and coastal areas.

Cllr Sivagnanam, who is also a cabinet member, said seaside hotspots in the Vale faced "wear and tear" throughout the year that had to be dealt with and paid for.

Another proposal that cabinet members agreed to in principle on Thursday was the plan to make residential parking permits digital.

The local authority plans to maintain its policy of not charging for residential parking permits and hopes that making them digital will reduce the current administrative costs of providing paper permits.