Parking charges at a popular family park in Flintshire

Flintshire Council introduced parking charges last month at Wepre Park to help manage and maintain access to one of Flintshire’s most popular green spaces.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam, says it is unfair to charge local people to park their cars at Wepre Park, Connah’s Quay.

Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative spokesperson for Families, was commenting after Flintshire County Council introduced parking charges at the popular and award winning green space.

He said:

“As most people know I am a very keen supporter of the outdoors and encouraging everyone, especially children, to enjoy being outside and learning more about nature and the environment.

“I was very sad to hear that parking charges had now been introduced at Wepre Park. The area is a huge magnet for local people, whether taking their children to the playground, family walks around the river, walking the dog or simply enjoying a snack in the café.

“Wepre Park, which recently once again received the prestigious Green Flag Award, is an extremely popular attraction for visitors of all ages with several events for children being held throughout the year.

“It seems such a shame that visitors are going to be charged for simply driving somewhere to enjoy being outdoors, and local people, who already pay rates, will also have to pay for using a facility on their doorstep.”

The Council introduced parking charges last month saying the move was to help manage and maintain access to one of Flintshire’s most popular green spaces.

They say the income generated through parking charges will support the ongoing maintenance of the car park, while enabling better management of the site by helping to ensure spaces remain available for park users and discouraging long-stay parking.

The new charges came into force on Monday July 27th, seven days a week from 9am to 9pm, including Bank Holidays.

Charges will be £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to four hours, and £4 for a full day.

Annual permits can also be purchased for £50.

Wepre Park’s 160 acres of woodland, open green space and visitor facilities are cared for by the Council’s Access and Natural Environment Service.