Connah’s Quay, Queensferry and Shotton car parking charges to come into force in October

Controversial car parking charges are set to come into force on Flintshire County Council owned car parks in Connah’s Quay, Queensferry and Shotton in October.

Pay and display parking charges have come into operation in Holywell on Monday, 28th September.

Holywell joins Buckley where charges came into force in August in what Flintshire Council describe as ‘key tools in managing an effective highway network.’

The council also say charges will help ‘effectively managing off-street parking (which) is essential to help maintain the vibrancy and vitality of a town.’

Pay and display parking in Connah’s Quay, Queensferry and Shotton will be implemented in October however local residents have ‘slammed’ the move with many saying it will kill off the already struggling High Streets on Deeside.

We asked ‘Facebook’ for a view (click here), here’s what people said on the Deeside.com page:

“Alan Davey: A bad move. A sad decision. The town centres need help to compete with the out of town stores. 

 

“Diane Clarke: I’m not paying to park anywhere in Deeside, it’s ridiculous! I totally support local businesses but not paying for the privilege… will use Asda for all my shopping as soon as this is enforced!!

 

“Jayne Williams: Shotton needs all the help it can get. Charging visitors/shoppers to park is not a positive move.

 

“Kat Smith: How is charging for parking going to help manage an effective highway network and help avoid congestion? The congestion is from people trying to get through the towns not park. Perhaps whoever came up with that brilliant idea should stand on Chester Road East/West for a couple of hours!

 

“Laura Wood: Will completely put me off using shops in Connah’s Quay and Shotton when Broughton Shopping Park is getting regenerated and we can park there for free.

 

“Myles Povey Caravan-Man: I’ll just stick to Asda, shotton needs more free parking, it’s a ball ache to get into shotton never mind parking and then they go and try and charge you for it ? Flintshire council, inept through and through.

In an effort to raise much-needed revenue the authority will  introduce pay and display measures in car parks with more than 40 spaces.

Those locations in Deeside include the following car parks (number of spaces in brackets):

Shotton
Ash Grove (59)
King George Street (46)
Charmleys Lane (46)

Connah’s Quay
Maude Street (40)
Somerfield / Former Council Offices (274)

Queensferry
Station Road (76)

The consensus amongst many Deesiders on Facebook seems to be more around convenience than actual cost of the parking charges, the biggest winner apart from the council looks set to be ASDA if those commenting on Facebook are the views of the majority of Deeside residents.

Councillor Bernie Attridge, Cabinet Member for Environment and Deputy Leader, said:

“The Car Parking Strategy is being introduced as part of our challenge to find efficiencies in the order of £18+m in the coming financial year. We have modified the original proposals to take account of the main concerns raised during consultations, and I would like to thank all those who shared their views.”

Parking measures and enforcement are key tools in managing an effective highway network and helping to avoid congestion. Effectively managing off street parking is essential to help maintain the vibrancy and vitality of a town.

There are no plans to introduce charges for disabled car users at Council car parks in designated disabled parking bays.