Town centre councillors’ voice their frustration over delay in implementing resident parking schemes

A group of town centre councillors have banded together to voice their frustrations over a delay in implementing resident parking scheme.

There have long been calls for such a system to be introduced due to the number of side streets in Rhosddu, Caia Park and around Bellevue Park being used for parking by workers and visitors to the town centre.

This has led to annoyance from residents and councillors who are unable to park near their home during the day.

In 2015 a ‘temporary measure’ aiming to eradicate parking and traffic issues on Ruthin Road was trialled to reduce parking on the street.

Three town centre councillors have now joined together to publicly state their frustrations that parking schemes for residents in streets surrounding Wrexham town centre have not progressed .

The only one that was approved is still not fully up and running three years after getting the go-ahead.

Councillor Alun Jenkins, who represents the Offa ward, said: “Residents on Ruthin Road voted for a parking permit scheme outside their own houses three years ago.

“For years they had been unable to park because people opted to park there for free to go to work or to shop in the town. It would have been the first of its kind in Wrexham and therefore an important pilot to see if it worked as a scheme.

“I’m incredibly disappointed that we’re still waiting for the scheme to become fully operational and enforceable.

“I understand Covid has led to some delays but this should have been up and running before Covid and the pandemic hasn’t stopped many aspects of council work.

“I just don’t think the council appreciates how frustrating it is both for residents and councillors, who have made consistent representations to improve parking for residents in the ‘doughnut’ surrounding the town centre.”

His views were echoed by Councillor Adrienne Jeorrett, of Smithfield ward: “Many residents contact me with complaints about not being able to park in their own streets because people opt to park there to walk into town to shop or work.

“We’ve had a long-running task and finish group aimed at tackling this problem but we seem to be banging our heads against a brick wall when it comes to officers recognising that this is a problem that affects hundreds of residents in my ward as well as others.”

Cllr Marc Jones, of Grosvenor ward, said the problem needed addressing now as more people moved to live in the town centre.

He said: “I’m all for town-centre living and it’s a trend that’s been happening for the past few years now. However, none of these new apartments or flats have parking and people still need cars for work or leisure activities. It’s inevitable that, unless there are options available, they’re going to park in neighbouring streets.

“These terraced streets are already being used by people working in the town centre and that means residents can’t park in their own streets.

“It’s a daily grind and especially so if you’re coming off a night shift, have mobility issues, young children or just need to get the shopping from the car to the house.

“The council’s parking permit scheme is not working – it needs reviewing but we’re getting nowhere at the moment. That’s why we as town-centre councillors are speaking up – it’s a problem that won’t go away.”

We have contacted Wrexham Council for comment and are awaiting further information.