A STUDY into how parking in Aberystwyth has been affected by the new Mill Street multi-storey car park needs to be undertaken to look at how patterns have changed, Ceredigion County Council’s leader has said.

Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said the new car park, which offers three hours of free parking to motorists, could have a major impact on parking in the town, with the authority needing to take stock of how it will affect parking elsewhere.

That will need the council to also consider bus services and long-term parking in Aberystwyth to ensure there is provision for what is needed.

Cllr ap Gwynn said council Cabinet members had already asked for a study, after hearing that councillors on the thriving communities scrutiny committee had backed ending a council subsidy for the 503 bus service, started as a replacement for the former town centre park and ride bus service.

Cllr Euros Davies said passenger figures showed that the 503 service, started by Mid Wales Travel, was not attracting enough passengers with Mel Evans, of Mid Wales Travel, admitting that the service was not commercially viable and would end.

Cllr Davies said improvements in availability of parking at Bronglais Hospital had seen a reduced need for the 503 service, with Cllr ap Gwynn saying the impact of the multi-storey car park also needed to be considered.

She said: “The time is right to look at how parking works in Aberystwyth.”