Plans to introduce car parking charges at a popular promenade have been criticised by Clwyd West AM Darren Millar.

Conwy County Borough Council are proposing to introduce a raft of parking charges across the county, including at Pensarn Beach.

Local businesses are concerned that the charges will discourage people from visiting the beach and that this will be damaging for their businesses.

This week Darren met with local campaigner  Bernice McLoughlin to discuss the concerns.

He said:

“Pensarn Beach is popular with both locals and visitors to the area and introducing parking charges would undoubtedly deter people from visiting.

“There are a number of excellent businesses along the stretch who rely heavily on those travelling to the beach in their vehicles and a drop in visitor numbers would hit them hard.

“Visitors feel that introducing car parking charges at Pensarn Beach is a tax on tourism and local residents feel that it undermines their use of the beach as an amenity area for them to enjoy.

“I urge decision makers at Conwy County Council to  support our small, local businesses by reconsidering their proposals.”

Bernice McLoughlin added:

“I have spoken to many of the businesses owners at Pensarn Beach and they are gravely concerned about these proposals.

“Introducing parking charges would have a devastating effect on their trade. Currently many people drive to the beach to have a spot of lunch or drink in one of the cafes, or to pop into the arcades. Conwy Council need to face the fact that tourism is a key part of our economy here in Abergele and without an easy to use, accessible and attractive promenade, people will simply not come.”

Picture caption: Local campaigner Bernice McLoughlin with Darren Millar AM at Pensarn Beach Car Park.