New unloading bay in Conwy causing fury amongst motorists and business owners

Jul 14 2011 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

SCORES of motorists have been given parking fines after a new loading bay was unexpectedly set up on the High Street in Conwy.

Conwy County Council set up the new loading bay outside the Spar shop, taking up to four car spaces.

A small sign, which is being missed by most motorists, says unloading will take place between 8am-1pm. As a result, motorists are being booked by traffic wardens.

One business owner believes the turnover of cars which normally use the bay can be as many as 50 to 60 an hour.

Chris Sayer, owner of the Spar shop, said: “I’m getting the blame for this, and it certainly isn’t my fault.

“About 18 months ago we received a letter from Conwy County Council saying they were thinking of putting in a loading bay, and asking us where the best place to put it was.

“I admit I did say outside my shop, as Edward’s is located opposite which has deliveries too, as does Vinomondo and the Castle Hotel, but we had no warning it was going to come, and we certainly don’t need it until 1pm as my deliveries come at 7am.

“I hope the council takes it away as we all need those parking spaces, and we’ve coped very well without one for 30 years.”

Katherine Williams, who lives above one of the shops in Conwy, claims the council has acted in an “underhand manner”.

She said: “It’s not very well marked at all, so people are getting booked all over the place.

“I saw the traffic warden book six people in about an hour. I’ve been rushing out warning people not to park there. There’s a lot of anger about this in the town.”

Phyllis Campbell, a volunteer at the St David’s Hospice shop on the High Street, said: “This is really underhand, we’ve been rushing out to tell people not to park there as we’ve seen so many people getting booked.

“Parking in Conwy is already bad, a lot of people just want to pop in and out of the shops, now it’s a lot more difficult to do.”

Paul Evans, group engineer for Conwy’s highways and infrastructure service commented: “We were asked to create a loading bay as part of changes to waiting restrictions in Conwy town centre.

“We are aware that further changes may need to be made and are looking at how the arrangement can be amended.”