TYWYN Town Council has taken back control of a popular car park in the hope that it will raise thousands of pounds for young people.

The car park, adjacent to the skate park, has for almost 20 years been leased out to Talyllyn Railway who charge people to park there and enjoy their attraction.

The town council previously leased the car park to the railway business, charging them £1,200 per annum for the facility.

However, following recent negotiations, the town council has now decided to charge £1,500 for the parking facility, a rise of 25 per cent which the council suggested was a “reasonable increase” as well as “long overdue”.

But the railway is refusing to pay the additional costs – although it stills hopes to create a “satisfactory arrangement” with the council.

As a result, the local council members are taking matters into their own hands, suggesting they can “achieve a better return on their asset for the town than £1,200 by operating it themselves”.

A spokesperson for the town council said: “We have resolved to take [the car park] back and operate it ourselves.

“The piece of land is supposed to be used to benefit the children and young people of Tywyn – essentially any money raised will pay for the skate park and anything they decide to do with the rec next door.

"We are going to decide what to charge on the car park at a finance committee meeting, no decision has been taken yet how the payment will be collected but likely to be pay and display.

“The council has every intention to keep it as a car park, it’s a positive move from the council and a win-win move for the town as far as we are concerned.

“Parking will still be free for people accessing the skate park and rec as before.”

When asked about the matter, a representative of Talyllyn Railway said: “The situation is that we are still in discussions with the council, and there is a meeting next week at which we hope we can arrive at an arrangement which will be satisfactory to all concerned.”