Parking FAQs

Q. Cwmbran does not charge for car parking so why has the Council introduced charging on car parks in Pontypool?

The Council has not introduced charges for car parking in Pontypool but has implemented an Order to control the use of car parks. The Order limits the length of time that a vehicle can park in Rosemary Lane Car Park and on some floors of Riverside Car Park and Civic Centre. Only if a vehicle is parked for longer than the time allowed or in contravention of conditions of the order is a charge made.

Q. Why has the Council imposed time restrictions on car parks? 

Although there is sufficient parking available in Pontypool for all those who wish to park, the Council feels that it is important for the viability of the Town Centre that visitors and shoppers should be able to park for a limited time near to the town centre. Therefore some spaces most convenient to the town centre have been restricted to 2 hour or 4 hours duration. 

Q. Are the Council going to impose charges on other car parks?

The Council is not charging for car parking but only imposing a penalty charge where drivers exceed the permitted time limit. Time limits and penalty charges may be imposed on other car parks in the future but there are no proposals to do so at this time. 

Q. Why does the Council not charge for parking in Pontypool?

Car parking in Cwmbran is provided free by the owners of the shopping centre and the Council feels it would not be right to charge for parking in Pontypool as this could make Pontypool less attractive to shoppers. 

Q. Is the Council making a profit out of penalty charges? 

No. The charges are to deter drivers from parking in excess of the time limits to ensure that visitors and shoppers can park thus contributing to the prosperity of the town. 

Q. Why has the Council designated some spaces in the car parks for short stay parking only? 

The Council feels that it is important for the viability of the Town Centre that visitors and shoppers should be able to park for a limited time near to the town centre. Therefore some spaces most convenient to the town centre have been restricted to 2 hours or 4 hours. 

Q. Why is parking on floors 2 and 3 of Riverside Car Park and red bays in Civic Centre limited to four hours? 

The Council feels that it is important for the viability of the Town Centre that visitors and shoppers should be able to park for a limited time near to the town centre. The spaces on certain floors have been chosen for limited parking as the link to Osborne Road is more easily accessed from these floors and Civic Centre provides a similar offer on the opposing side of the town centre.

Q. Why is the Council discriminating against people who work in the town? 

Although there is sufficient parking available in Pontypool for all those who wish to park, the Council feels that it is important for the viability of the Town Centre that visitors and shoppers should be able to park for a limited time near to the town centre. Workers who park for longer periods may have to walk a little further but should be able to find a place to park.

Q. I used to be able to park near my work/shop where I could keep an eye on my car. Now I have to leave it some distance away where it is likely to be vandalised or stolen. Why has the Council prevented me from parking where I used to? 

Although there is sufficient parking available in Pontypool for all those who wish to park, the Council feels that it is important for the viability of the Town Centre that visitors and shoppers should be able to park for a limited time near to the town centre. The Riverside Car Park has video security cameras installed for customer reassurance and to dissuade antisocial activities 

Q. Why are spaces in the car parks being taken up by doctors / staff / patients attending the surgery? 

Parking to attend or work in a doctor’s surgery is just as valid a reason for parking as for other purposes providing the time restrictions are observed. In some cases the Council is under a legal obligation to allow parking for doctor’s surgeries.

Q. I was only 5 minutes over the 4 hour limit. Why have I been issued with a penalty ticket? 

The car park attendants are instructed to patrol the car parks at regular intervals and if they observe a vehicle parked for more than the time limit to issue a penalty notice. They have no discretion in this. It is up to the driver to ensure that the vehicle is removed within the permitted time limit. If there is a genuine emergency reason for overstaying the time limit there is a telephone number on the ticket for you to contact.

Q. Will the Council be providing any more car parks? 

Studies have shown that there are sufficient car parking spaces to cater for the existing demand. However the Council continues to monitor the situation and if demand for spaces rises may consider the provision of more car parking.

Q. How and where can I pay the penalty charge?

You can pay the charge using cash, cheque or credit/debit card at any of the Council’s cash offices. Or you can pay by phone or on the internet using your credit/debit card. Details are on the back of the penalty notice.

Q. Which car parks do not have time restrictions? 

There are time restrictions on only four car parks. Rosemary Lane has a limit of 2 hours and floors in the Riverside Car Park and red bays in Civic Centre are restricted to a stay of 4 hours. The other floors in Riverside and all other car parks have no restrictions during the day.

Last Modified: 31/10/2023 Back to top