GWYNEDD Council has sparked uproar over a “money-grabbing scheme” to start charging motorists to use car parks in Porthmadog, Pwllheli and Criccieth.

Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet has approved a new Parking Order which means some car parks, which were free, will now be pay-and-display.

Local residents and commuters will be able to apply for a £60-a-year parking permit. But the plans were met with objections by residents and councillors.

In Criccieth, 14 objections were received about the plans for the Abereistedd car park. They feared it would cause more on-street parking and an increase in costs for visitors at local hotels.

Ten objections were received against the plans at South Beach, Penmount and Black Lion car parks in Pwllheli. Many objectors felt it was unfair to charge local people for parking, and there were concerns that there would be nowhere for residents to park.

A petition with over 600 signatures was submitted regarding the Borth y Gest car park, with a further 28 objections received.

Pwllheli town councillor Jonathan Thomas said: “I am very disappointed with the Cabinet decision to charge for parking in previously free-to-use car parks in Pwllheli.

“I am very disheartened that so few people took the trouble to tell Gwynedd about their feelings, and I can only come to the conclusion that the residents, shoppers and workers are happy to pay to park in the town, which is completely different to what the public have been telling me over the last few months. Unless people voice their opinion, in person, then the council will continue to cut services, raise taxes and generally stomp over the residents of Gwynedd.”

See the full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News