The first stage of potential parking charges of up to £5 on Aberystwyth’s promenade has been backed by senior Ceredigion councillors, with members hearing similar seafronts such as Llandudno already charged.

The September 3 meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet was recommended to support on-street charging for some 179 spaces at the seafront promenade, at a rate of £3.50 for two hours and £5 for four, with exemptions for blue badge holders.

A report for members said it “is proposed that charging is introduced between Castle Point and Constitution Hill, meaning that charging will occur in all parking bays (excluding the dedicated Blue Badge holder only bays) along New Promenade (outside the Old College, King Street, Marine Terrace, and Victoria Terrace)”.

It stated: “Charging at these proposed rates will mean that the ‘premium’ parking spaces along the Promenade would be slightly more expensive than the proposed charging structure within the Council’s Off-street Pay & Display Car Parks, thereby enabling the council to better manage its on-street parking provision along the Promenade by increasing turnover and availability of space,” adding: “Another outcome/benefit of charging will be to reduce the amount of commuter parking on the promenade making it more available for visitors to use and reducing pollution through reduced vehicle movements”.

It was recommended by officers a formal consultation on the proposals is backed by Cabinet, despite members of the July Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee not supporting the proposals.

The report before members at the lengthy 10-and-a-bit hour September 3 meeting, said the annual council budget agreed at the end of February “included an expectation that potential surplus could be generated from the council’s off-street pay and display car parks to assist with achieving a balanced budget”.

It added: “Any scheme along the seafront in Aberystwyth to introduce fees for on-street parking where none currently exist, should attempt to strike a balance between the needs of local residents accessing local services and where they live/their homes; local businesses; University students; and visitors to the town.”

Speaking at the meeting, Aberystwyth councillor Alun Williams compared the parking situation in the town with other seaside towns such as Llandudno, which has had paid-for parking “for many years

“No-one likes new charges, but I don’t know of any town anywhere with a comparable prom close to the town centre that doesn’t charge for the seafront.

“In truth, it’s made little sense that sections of such a prime location are effectively full from 9am every day for much of the year, with vacant spaces few and far between; no spaces for shoppers who want to spend a little money.”

He added: “I accept this will be difficult for some people; there are aspects I would personally change - these are the kinds of things that can come out in the consultation. A huge challenge it’s going to be, but there are genuine benefits to it for local businesses, it will enable us to make the absolute most of a wonderful prom in Aberystwyth.”

Referring to a previous flawed consultation on seafront parking, Cllr Catrin M S Davies stressed there was a need to make the aims and proposals of the consultation clear to the public.

Members agreed to a formal public consultation on the proposals.

The findings of the future consultation will go to scrutiny before a final decision is made by councillors.