Randerson Attacks Cardiff NCP Car Park Price Hikes

1.30.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Jun 2007

NCP car parks have instituted a number of massive price hikes, in Wood Street car park, prices have more than doubled so that two hours parking now costs £6.40 compared to £2.80 in May 2007.

Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson said "NCP have made a massive mistake implementing this latest price hike, whilst it will encourage some people on to public transport it will hit those on low incomes who have to park in the city centre.

"Prohibitive car parking charges will also damage the traders at the heart of my constituency as people think twice about heading for the city. Many people are already heading for out of town retail parks and this will reinforce that.

"So far NCP have been far from co-operative in discussing the matter but it's not too late for them to be responsible stakeholders in Cardiff's future.

"I have established a Statement of Opinion on the matter that I hope AMs from across Wales will sign up to. Newport for example is having similar problems."

Notes:

Jenny Randerson submitted the following statement of opinion today. This follows an Early Day Motion by Jenny Willott MP.

Cardiff NCP Car Park Price Hikes

This Assembly is concerned at price rises implemented during June 2007, at NCP owned car parks in Cardiff; believes that these price rises are unaffordable for low income groups; is deeply concerned that these price rises may deter many people from coming into the city centre and, as a result, will have a detrimental effect on local retailers and the city centre as a whole; is alarmed at the apparent lack of co-operation from NCP regarding the price rises, and strongly urges NCP to reconsider the price rises at their NCP car parks in Cardiff's city centre.

Ends/diwedd

Contact/Cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood 02920 898324