Car parking charges result in ‘expected’ drop of thousands of visitors to Wrexham’s country parks

It is claimed visitor numbers in a country park where car parking chargers were introduced have ‘fallen by 8,000’ in the months since the fee was brought in.

The charge brought in by Wrexham Council during May last year means those visiting Alyn Waters – Llay and Gwersyllt sides – Ty Mawr Country Park and Nant Mill have to pay £1 to park.

An account with the name @Gwersyllt_CC (more below) tweeted the following numbers:

Since the introduction of parking charges at Alyn Waters Country Park the numbers of visitors between April and November has fallen by 8,000 and the number of vehicles by 5,000. Figures disclosed at tonight’s Gwersyllt Council. #UnintendedConsequences @wrexhamcbc @davebithell

— Newyddion Gwersyllt News. (@Gwersyllt_CC) January 9, 2019

The account tweeted us the following table earlier this morning after this article went live:

We asked Wrexham Council if they were aware of the figures, and for a copy of the yearly numbers at all parks where charging was brought in.

We also asked for the thoughts of the lead councillor responsible for his thoughts on if charging has had an impact.

Wrexham Council did not provide a copy of the figures, nor dispute the numbers reported so far. They told us, “The figures for visitors to the Country Parks where charging for car parks has been introduced has fallen this year (Ty Mawr, Nant Mill and Alyn Waters Country Park). This isn’t unexpected, when a facility introduces charges for the first time.

“It may also encourage more local people to decide to walk to the parks instead of driving their cars.”

“The parks are very close to achieving the car park income target of £47,000 for the full year, which was set as part of the Difficult Decisions Budget process. This income supports the parks and is important in helping to provide well cared for parks with good facilities.”

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: The drop in visitor numbers was expected due to the introduction of car parking charges but we are meeting our income targets for car parking following the Difficult Decisions consultation.

The source of the information is a twitter account that initially began life as appearing to be the official account of Gwersyllt Community Council, however claims to have been forced into a rebrand so is no longer an official account. The parrell Facebook page gave further detail on the business of the Community Council meeting, more than we can see is available anywhere else.