PLANS to introduce charges at a city car park in a bid to tackle misuse and anti-social behaviour have received a mixed reaction from councillors.

Newport council is proposing to create a pay and display car park at Mill Parade, opposite Newport Transporter Bridge visitor centre, as part of its budget proposals for the next financial year.

Charges would be the same as at Maindee car park, where it is £1 for up to two hours, £2.50 for up to five hours and £3 for more than five hours.

At a performance scrutiny committee meeting on Monday, head of city services Paul Jones said the proposal is aimed at stopping anti-social behaviour and some people leaving their vehicles in the car park – where it currently free to park – “for weeks and months on end”.

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“The real idea is to free up space so that it can be used properly as a car park and not as a bit of a dumping ground which sometimes it has been,” Mr Jones said.

But Cllr Charles Ferris said the 30-space car park is used by visitors of the transporter bridge, and that charges might put people off.

He proposed recommending that one hour of free parking is kept to facilitate visitors to the popular attraction.

Cllr Ibrahim Hayat, who represents the Pill ward, said he wanted the car park to stay free of charge, but that security should be increased to prevent anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Hayat said the council “need to discourage any anti-social behaviour”, but he worried introducing charges would “deter people” from parking there.

Cllr Graham Berry suggested the council considers offering free parking for visitors to Newport Transporter Bridge, with a controlled entry system.

But Cllr Mark Whitcutt said introducing a small charge could free up spaces for people to use after the transporter bridge has undergone a planned refurbishment.

“It could increase the attractiveness of the car park to people who are coming to go to the transporter bridge if it addresses the concern about anti-social behaviour,” he said.

Cllr John Richards said there was “a lot of serious anti-social behaviour” taking place at the car park.

“It’s not so much an attempt to raise income, it’s an attempt to make it inconvenient for these anti-social behaviour people,” he added.

The proposal would involve installing a CCTV camera to monitor the site and investing in other equipment and signage.

This would cost £15,000, but the proposal would bring a net saving of £21,000.

The scrutiny committee agreed to ask the cabinet to “explore all options” on the issue in the hope of an outcome that “will satisfy everybody”.

Newport council’s budget proposals are out for public consultation until February 12, with details at bit.ly/35QfsHK