Our beach car park has raised its prices by 270% – it’s a disgrace… parking should be FREE

FUMING locals have been driven round the bend after council bosses hiked their beach car park prices by 270 per cent.

Anyone heading to Colwyn Bay in North Wales will now have to fork out £3.70 to park for around four hours.

It means a rise of 270 per cent for those who normally pay for just one hour as the council has scrapped the £1 hourly summer fee and 50p winter fee.

Locals will now have to pay for the full four hours even they don't want to stay that long.

A swimming group have now slammed the price rise as many of their members normally only use the car park for around an hour.

The Colwyn Bay Blue Tits are now planning a protest and have branded the move "disgusting".

Moira Cavanagh blasted: "This will affect people’s health. All the research says that cold water swimming is good for your circulation and mental health.

"We have a lot of people in the group who say cold water swimming has changed their life. Not everyone can afford to pay this. It’s always the poor that are hit.

“We feel that this rule is discriminatory as there are many people with poor mobility who either walk or swim near the prom, many of whom do not qualify for a Blue Badge.

“But this is their only chance to get out into the fresh air and improve their well-being.

"As the council is supposed to promote well-being, we feel that this is going to achieve the opposite effect as many people will be deterred by the payment and be unable to exercise.”

Other locals also hit out at the council for upping the charges.

School teacher Leah Shepherd said: "It's disgusting that the council have increased the parking charges.

“We need to encourage local parents to bring their kids out to the beach and into the fresh air. It's out here that they will learn about the sea and nature. But the way the economy is at the moment, it's just an added cost that many will not be able to afford."

While David Jones 59, a retired engineer, said: "We come here to the beach two or three times a month. I think the increased charges are terrible and will hit the working class with more pressure on their disposable income.

“When we've been here before, I've seen the brave cold water swimming group. I think they are mostly retired ladies and this is really going to hit their pocket and spoil their swimming group enjoyment."

Conwy Council said locals can buy an annual parking permit for a particular car park, for on-street parking, or for all of its car parks in the county.