Parking charges in Welwyn set for approval

PLANS to introduce charges into two Welwyn car parks are set to be approved.

Welwyn Hatfield Council is proposing new restrictions on car parks in High Street and Lockleys Drive, which would see motorists charged 50p for 30 minutes, 80p for an hour and �1 for an hour-and-a-half.

As previously reported by the Welwyn Hatfield Times, the scheme came to light last month when CP-Plus – the management firm which currently runs six Times Territory car parks – prematurely announced it was extending its contract with the council.

That led to a retraction from CP-Plus and the council, who both then claimed the plans were still at an early stage and that a consultation with businesses and residents in the village was still to take place.

Now, less than a month after the revelations, details have been fine-tuned and will be recommended to the council’s housing and planning panel committee for approval tomorrow (Thursday).

But a council spokeswoman insisted nothing would be finalised until the promised consultation with the public.

“Nothing will be decided until completion of the consultation with the local community,” she said.

“Cabinet has planned the introduction of car parking charges in Welwyn in the budget since February. In order to inform the discussion we need to advise on the level of possible charges and the revenue we expect to obtain.

“This is part of the report to Cabinet housing and planning panel committee.”