New parking system for Old Colwyn street

Jun 3 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Old Colwyn parking

A PROBLEMATIC Old Colwyn street is to be rejuvenated with a new parking layout.

Cefn Road has long been plagued by traffic problems with the street struggling to accommodate enough parking spaces for shoppers competing with two busy taxi ranks and a supermarket loading bay.

Traders say there isn’t enough parking provision on the street for customers to be able to park and complain the slow traffic flow is harming business.

Cllr Cheryl Carlisle says a meeting between councillors and council managers means the problem could be at long last resolved.

“We had a meeting with the head of licensing,” she said.

“We are working now towards a small dedicated taxi rank, the rest will be public parking with one or two disabled parking spaces outside the pharmacy. We’ve been working in consultation with local businesses and the taxi firms.

“Hopefully now there will be some improved parking provision there.

“As you turn into Cefn Road you’ve got the bus lane on the left and the (Somerfield) loading bay that takes up that side of the road, and then the taxi firms park everywhere and in the ordinary spaces as well.

“I’m delighted it will be improved access to the shops and businesses for people and the provision of two disabled parking bays will make it much more disabled-friendly for people and their carers.”

Mary Roberts has run Maddisons Boutique on the street for the past 20 years and welcomed the improvements.

“It definitely needs sorting out, we are all trying to make a living,” she said.

“So when the taxis are taking up potential parking spaces for customers it’s not good. We need it so customers or anybody can find a space and are able to park. It needs sorting out. The amount of people who come in and say there isn’t anywhere to park is a big problem.”

Lisa Bannister is one of the co-owners at Caprice Hairdressers on Cefn Road and agreed. Lisa said she would also like to see the parking limit increased to allow customers to have their hair cut and park.

“They should make parking more than 45 minutes, it is not long enough for people if they are coming here to have a colour or a perm,” she said.

“Taxis should be parked in a designated bay whether they are private hire or not. It would allow people to shop and park outside.”