A BARMOUTH resident has said he feels ‘angry’ after parking fines were reintroduced in the town

Simon Downe lives on Church Street in Barmouth. He told the Cambrian News he ‘and others’ have been left been left “dismayed and angry” at Gwynedd Council’s decision to begin issuing parking tickets in areas of the town where parking restrictions had been lifted during lockdown “without any warning or notice”.

He said: “At the start of lockdown, local officers and police told residents that they could park in the on-street bays in town without risking a penalty charge. Only those on double yellows would be fined.

“This worked well until now and was appreciated and adhered to by local motorists. However, without any warning or notice, large numbers of tickets have been issued to unsuspecting motorists.

“I counted over 30 in Barmouth this morning (7 January). There were tickets on cars on Church Street, near the harbour and on the High Street.

Simon added: “No one I spoke to knew anything about the situation changing and we’re dismayed and angry to say the least. I have tried to contact Gwynedd Council but have had no response or advice.

“At this time of year the streets are very quiet in Barmouth and even more so now the shops are all shut due to Covid restrictions. Also most car owners, like me, are not using their cars and keeping to the rules. Now we are being rewarded for our efforts with parking fines!

“Surely this is not about traffic enforcement? Purely revenue collection by the council. I see it as totally unfair, unnecessary and unreasonable. The lack of communication has angered people a lot.”

Cllr Gethin Glyn Williams, who represents Barmouth, said: “I’m disappointed and aggrieved by the actions of the council. As the authority for parking enforcement you cannot allow for a situation to arise that one thing is being said at ground level and then for another to be said at another without informing or making information available to all prior.

“I will be pressing the council to do the right thing in this instance and revoke the tickets issued within the parking bays and to properly consult and formalise any arrangements for the coming season.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “During the summer of 2020, the council temporarily amended the parking arrangements, by installing cones in the limited waiting area of Barmouth to help local residents and visitors the town to maintain a social distance.

“More recently, local businesses have asked the council to re-introduce the regular limited waiting parking arrangements in this area of Barmouth to help with turnover for businesses offering take-away services.

“Following this request, the limited waiting parking arrangements were re-introduced when the cones were removed which means that vehicles are able to park in this area for a maximum of one hour and no return in two hours.

“Anyone who believes they have been issued a parking ticket unfairly can lodge an appeal by following the advice on their ticket.”