ABERGAVENNY could lose its only free car park if proposals by Monmouthshire County Council are given the go ahead.

Monmouthshire County Council officers presented a report to a recent meeting of the authority's Economy and Development Select Committee that included the introduction of a 'no return' policy,  increased tariffs to existing car parks and introducing charges to currently free car parks in Abergavenny, Usk, Chepstow, Monmouth and Caldicot.

Byefield Lane, Abergavenny's free car park, which is extensively used by visitors and local workers, currently only charges for parking on a Tuesday.

However, since the charge was increased from £1.20 per day to £2.50 per day, use of the car park has dramatically reduced causing revenue to decrease.

Consultancy firm Captia Symonds carried out a review of the council's car park management which reviewed current national, regional and local policy and related legislation and guidance alongside car parking policies and regimes of adjacent authorities.

The report the firm produced recommends that free and paid for car parks should be classified as either short stay, long stay or all day car parks with a new pay structure for each.

Report author MCC Traffic Network Manager Paul Keeble states, "The proposed changes should help improve the vitality of town centres by ensuring that those car parks which are in highest demand and thus classified as short stay have the hight turnover of users."

If given the go ahead by the council's cabinet charging hours will also be extended from 9am to 5pm to 9am to 6pm from Monday to Sunday.

Each car park will also aim to reach DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliance which once achieved will see the introduction of charges for blue badge owners.

Mr Keeble recommends adopting the new structure for all of the council's car parks with no implementation of charges to free car parks in Gotyre, Gilwern and Magor.

Veronica German Assembly Member for South Wales East, has urged MCC to explore all possibilities when considering the review of charges for car parks across the county.

Ms German said, "A number of constituents have contacted me regarding their concerns on how these parking changes could have a major impact on the regeneration of their towns. I too share these concerns. I find it very hard to believe that local businesses will not suffer from the consequences of these proposals as shoppers and visitors will simply decide they will go elsewhere. 

"I very much welcome reports which seem to suggest that Monmouthshire County Council are open to ideas from traders and local businesses.

"I believe a compromise is certainly possible. Suggestions such as making the first two hours free would certainly continue to encourage shoppers to stop by. Traders would also benefit if the council would consider possibly making it free to park on Saturdays."Mr Keeble said, "MCC is considering the recommendations of the recent consultant's report which looks at the longer term management of its public car parks.

"The report makes many recommendations and includes the extension of charges to some car parks which are free, including Byefield Lane.

"The findings of the report are to be discussed at next week's Environment and Economy Select Committee following which it is likely that further work will be undertaken on the proposed new changes within all Monmouthshire's public car parks."