Permanent three-hour free parking, turning taxi bays into free parking spaces and more allotments - these are some of the pledges that Bridgend Town Independents have made ahead of the May elections. The Bridgend Town Independents (BCI), made up of candidates who are supported by the Bridgend County Independents, have seen a rise in popularity since the last local government elections and are hoping to run Labour close this year.
Distancing themselves from the 'political group' label, BCI say they see themselves more as a support network for independent candidates who are looking for help in navigating the complexities of running for a seat in local government. However, this hasn't stopped independent candidates in Bridgend from coming together to propose a number of changes they would like to see at county borough and town council level. Here are some of their stand out pledges.
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If they are elected in May, independent candidates supported by BCI who are running for seats in Bridgend say they will push to re-introduce "controlled traffic" into Queen Street, Dunraven Place and Market Street. Free parking is also high on the agenda, with pledges to make three-hour free parking permanent across BCBC car parks and turning "unused" taxi spaces and loading bays in Bridgend town centre into 30-minute free parking spaces. Bridgend Town Independents also said they would look to turn these spaces into disabled bays.
Town independents have proposed to "scrap" the controversial 500% sports pitch cost increase. The decision to introduce the sports pitch price hike in the county borough was taken in October 2019. You can read more about the reaction to the sports pitch cost increase here.
The group also said it will look to renegotiate the county borough's membership in the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and "demand capital investment" in the area if they are voted in. Here are some of the other areas that Bridgend Town Independents have focused on in their list of pledges.
Environment
- The installation of reverse vending machines - machines that accept used bottles in exchange for a reward
- To have "planned, structured and maintained" wildflower policy to encourage the growth of habitats
- Increased tree planting
Culture and heritage
- To make Bridgend Town Hall self-funded through room hire and the reopening of the Carnegie House Arts venue
- Continuing to recognise the town's history through heritage project schemes
Education
- "Prioritising and protecting all school budgets" and investing in schools through the Welsh Government 21st Century Schools and Education Funding Programme
Facilities and amenities
- Continue with the installation of more public toilets and new changing places around the town centre
- Applying to get Asset Transfer Play Parks into town council ownership and "improve them to an acceptable, safe and accessible standard"
- Increase the number of allotments across town and plant fruit trees in public spaces
- To "act on behalf of all residents" in the Community Asset Transfer of Newbridge Fields
You can find all the candidates listed for each ward in Bridgend County Borough on the Bridgend County Borough Council website. Want the latest news from Bridgend County straight to your inbox? Sign up for free here.
