A Welsh council has issued an order to stop people parking on footpaths near a popular tourist destination in Neath. Neath Port Talbot's Environment Regeneration and Streetscene Services Cabinet met on Friday, June 2 to discuss a traffic order on the B4242 Pontneathvaughan Road and High Street, near the popular Waterfall Country in Glynneath.
The site, which is located on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, was granted a share in £17.7 million worth of UK Government's Levelling Up funding earlier this year as part of an effort to establish Neath as a major heritage and environment-led visitor destination.
However, the natural beauty spot which plays host to thousands of tourists each year to visit the Pontneddfechan Waterfalls has also seen complaints from residents about regular parking on footways that restrict visibility and prevent people from using them.
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Councillors on Friday decided to pass the motion for the traffic order, to prevent what was described as "inconsiderate parking practices by visitors to the Pontneddfechan Waterfalls." The report read: "The scheme was prioritised by the local ward member following representations being received regarding localised inconsiderate parking practices by visitors to the Pontneddfechan Waterfalls. The traffic regulation orders are required to prevent indiscriminate parking in the interest of road safety."
Cllr Simon Knoyle, the ward member for Glynneath, said the move would improve the situation for everyone involved. He said: "We've seen people parking anywhere they can in the past which can cause obstructions for people trying to use the footpaths. The traffic restriction order will now be put in place to improve this situation for visitors coming to the waterfalls as well as the residents who live nearby."
It means that while there are still a number of designated parking areas for visitors of the waterfalls, members of the public will no longer be able to park on the side of the B4242 Pontneathvaughan Road leading up to the Angel hotel, or on High Street.
The decision is now proposed for implementation as soon as possible after the three-day call in period. You can read more of our stories from Neath Port Talbot here or subscribe to our newsletter here.
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