MOTORISTS could soon have to pay to park in Wrexham town centre during the evening.

For the first time Wrexham Council is planning to charge for on-street parking after 6pm.

It is also considering charging tradesmen to unload their vehicles while they are parked on yellow lines.

The proposals are due to be discussed by members of the environment and regeneration scrutiny committee at their meeting tomorrow.

One of the aims is to apply a ‘nominal charge’ of 50p for parking in the town from 6pm through to midnight.

Another plan is to introduce charges for the issuing of parking restriction dispensations on the public highway, such as parking on single/double yellow lines for the purposes of carrying out works or the delivery of heavy or bulky items.

Charges would be £10 for one day and £20 for seven consecutive days.

Also proposed is the introduction of charges in on-street parking bays in the town centre at Chester Street, Holt Street, Town Hill, Brook Street, St George’s Crescent,
Bodhyfryd, King Street, Egerton Street and Mount Street.

Charges would be applied between 8am and 6pm, Monday-Saturday, and would be set at 50p for 30 minutes and £1 per hour.

Current off-street car park charges apply between 8am and 5pm and a separate proposal is to extend the charging from 8am-6pm.

In a report, the council’s chief environment officer John Bradbury, said: “Effective review and implementation of parking management initiatives is critical to the delivery of efficient and improved services whilst ensuring that Wrexham remains a vibrant and economically prosperous place through this difficult and challenging financial climate.

“To support the economic vitality of the town centre, there are no proposals to raise the current charging levels in the council’s operated car parks.”