The Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved the principle of charging at four coastal car parks with tariffs and opening times in line with the others it manages.
Traffic Regulation Order proposals will now be published, which are subject to a 21-day statutory public consultation period.
The car parks in question are Portabello and Westfarm in Ogmore, the Knap and Bryn Y Mor in Barry and Penarth Cliff Walk, with resurfacing work to be carried out at the last two locations before charges come into effect.
Alongside this, the Council’s Cabinet has asked for further survey work in relation to proposals to close Court Road car park and to introduce on-street parking charges at Barry Island and Penarth seafront.
That follows recommendations made at a special Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on February 11.
Final decisions on those proposals will then be made at a future Cabinet meeting once additional information is considered.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “There is already a charge to use most Council car parks so introducing the same arrangements at others creates consistency.
“Car parking charges are designed to help the Council cover maintenance and management costs associated with our resorts, which given their popularity are sizeable.
“It is only right that visitors should contribute to that upkeep as the responsibility should not lie solely with residents through their Council tax payments.
“We want to be open in our rationale for these decisions and for others to be clear on that as well.
“With that in mind, we have taken on board the comments of scrutiny committee and asked for further evidence gathering to be carried out in relation to the potential closure of Court Road car park and proposed on street charges at Penarth and Barry Island.
“This will then be used to inform a final decision on the matter. We will only be able to properly make a decision in relation to the future of Court Road car park and the proposal for on-street charges at Penarth seafront and Barry Island after we receive that further information.”
Charges at the four car parks will mirror those in place at other Council facilities.
Season tickets are available for off-street coastal car parks, costing £60 for six months and £100 for a year, which are valid at any chargeable Vale of Glamorgan Council run resort car park.
A combined coastal and country park season ticket will also be introduced shortly, available at a lower price than buying these separately.
It is hoped that this will encourage greater use of country parks and coastal areas, whilst also providing improved value for money for residents and local businesses.
