Is introducing a congestion charge in Cardiff a good idea? People seemed pretty clear on their thoughts regarding the question when WalesOnline put it to our readers.
On Friday, March 18, it was reported that the Labour group in control of Cardiff council has refused to rule out introducing a charge on drivers in the city ahead of the upcoming local elections. Conservative councillors called on Cardiff council to scrap any plans to bring in a charge for drivers to use roads in the city, in a late-night debate on Thursday, March 17.
One proposal for how the charge would work, put forward in January 2020, would have seen a charge of £2 or £3 a day levied on anyone driving into Cardiff with residents exempt. However, that was dubbed a tax on the Valleys by politicians outside the capital. See all the details of the 2020 proposal here.
But, what does the general public think of the idea? Well, in short, many people seem pretty against it. We asked the question on Thursday, and more than 100 people got in touch to share their views on the matter. It looks as though it's a topic that is indeed up for debate.
Gareth Coates thinks such a charge would "kill off the city." When asked if he thought it was a good idea, he said: "If you really want to kill the city centre off for good - then yes. Cardiff needs to be encouraging people into the city centre as much as possible - it's a shadow of its former self."
What do you think of the idea of a congestion charge in Cardiff? Let us know below in the comments
Lyn Hinchey also expressed that she didn't think the idea was great. She said: "No. Cardiff city centre is too small to have a congestion charge. There aren’t many choices to avoid any areas with charges."
Steve Pike added: "Another money-making exercise to cover all the ridiculous projects this ridiculous council have wasted over these past few years." However, some people can see a benefit in the idea.
Steven Ling said: "Once the Metro is up and running to a good standard I could see the benefit of it. I'm pretty sure that the last time it got mooted that Cardiff residents would be exempt from it."
But, on the whole, the response is a pretty clear one, and it's that people think it's a bad idea. Alan Nugent said: "I haven't been in the centre for a good six or seven years, and I don't miss it. Parking is the biggest problem, and problematic public transport."
Gary Deverson added: "Absolutely not - unless the idea is to close down the shopping centre - then it's a brilliant idea. Just another money-making idea for the council - will alienate more people from entering the city centre."
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