Shoppers and visitors to Swansea city centre are being given two days of free parking during the last weekend of this month, on Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25. The free parking weekend in the city centre comes ahead of the countdown to a new 1-2-3 offer in the coming weeks, where motorists can park for up to three hours for £1 an hour in council-operated car parks.
The news comes after months of controversy surrounding car parking in Swansea - after back in April, Swansea Council significantly upped the cost of using council-operated car parks. One man complained he was charged £30 instead of a previous £3.40 after parking in the city for an eight-hour shift.
The cost of using the Quadrant multi-storey car park, for example, rose from £1.40 to £2.50 an hour, with a 50p reduction for local residents, but in response to the public backlash, the council made some changes to soften the blow - you can read more about those here.
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Rob Stewart, council leader, said the weekend of free parking was part of the council’s commitment to shoppers, businesses and visitors alike.
He said: “The free weekend of parking is a summertime shopping bonus for city centre shoppers and businesses ahead of the introduction of a new 1-2-3 offer. We are doing everything we can to continue to support the public and local businesses in Swansea and these latest car parking offers will make a difference to those working and shopping in the city centre.”
Later in the summer, the council also plans to run its free bus offer which has been operating successfully during school holidays. Cllr Stewart added: “The free bus offer has had a really positive impact in terms of reducing travel costs for families, as well as encouraging more people out of their cars and onto public transport. I look forward to its return in July.”
Car parking at council Park and Ride sites at Fabian Way and Landore remains priced at £1. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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