Parking in Neath Port Talbot’s town centres and leisure areas is to remain free for the time being as the county borough reacts to unprecedented changing demands and priorities due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A resumption of collecting car parking charges at its pay and display car parks that were temporarily suspended at the start of the COVID 19 pandemic will then return on a phased basis from the beginning of August and September.

However, there will be an extension granted for season ticket holders.

Charges within council owned car parks located in leisure/recreational areas, including but not restricted to the Aberavon seafront, Margam Country Park, Gnoll Country Park and Afan Forest Park, will resume from August 1, 2020.

However, charges within council owned car parks located in the town centres of Pontardawe, Neath and Port Talbot will not resume until September 1, 2020.

Some visitors may hold permits for these car parks and it is agreed that any period lost from the moment car parking charges ceased to be collected on the 23rd of April, 2020, up until July 31, 2020, will be added to the permit.

The council, in common with other Welsh local authorities, is re-commencing parking enforcement in line with guidance from the British Parking Association and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) following relaxation of travel and non-essential shopping restrictions.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Engineering, Cllr Ted Latham, said: “The provision of parking is an important public service, which provides benefits for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and the wider community.

“These benefits include maintaining road safety and access to jobs, goods and services. This has perhaps never been more important than now as we have had to respond together to unprecedented changing demands and priorities.

“Also, the re-introduction of car parking charges will secure income which will in turn be used to operate the car parks themselves and maintain highway safety.

“Over the next few weeks however parking will remain free which will provide a much needed boost for our town centre traders and will also allow people to park for free near leisure and recreational attractions.”