Council leader says Swansea will NOT follow Cardiff in congestion charging plans

In a social media post, Cllr Stewart said: “I’ve been asked if Swansea will be introducing a congestion charge or road toll or clean air zone changing, or extra charging plans similar to those announced by Cardiff Council yesterday. 

“I can confirm we will not – and there are no plans to do so.”

Cllr Stewart went on to confirm that the council plans to continue with its current discounts and offers for travel and parking in the city centre.

This includes free bus travel for everyone within the city during school holidays and a £1 park and ride charge per day for up to 4 passengers between 7am and 7pm.

Following the increase in car parking charges that were introduced in Swansea yesterday (17 March), Cllr Stewart also said that special residents discount rates on parking were available all day everyday by selecting ‘resident rate’ on selected parking machines or via the parking app.

He added that special employer and employee pre-paid parking permit offers were available for selected car parks and additional parking promotions are being designed with Swansea BID and local businesses.

Cardiff Council announced that it was looking into controversial congestion and clean air zone charging yesterday (17 March).

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “We know our residents want action on climate change and they want the air their children and their loved ones breathe to be cleaner. We know residents want to see electric buses and taxis serve the city, to have new train/tram links and stations, to drive on better maintained roads, with safe cycling and walking routes. We know they see the queues of traffic and know the damage this is causing to their health and the environment, whilst also strangling the city’s economy. It’s clear that action is needed if we are going to change the dial on this. Reducing these figures will require us to look at the way we live and the way we travel. Cardiff needs and deserves a cleaner and a greener transport system. However, funding this will likely only be possible by the introduction of some form of low-cost road user payment which would have exemptions for those least able to pay. 

“Before any such scheme was introduced, we will clearly have to make improvements to the current transport system so people have options to reduce their reliance on the car. We would need better, enhanced, and cheaper bus routes, alongside improvements to regional commuting options, and visible signs of a new tram network in the city. 

“A working public transport system can have a hugely positive impact on those who have to travel by road. And our transport system certainly does not work for the huge numbers of people who rely on it the most. The people and communities who rely on public transport are often the worst served by our bus and train services. 

“They are also breathing the dirtiest air and suffering the worst rates of childhood asthma and other illnesses. Improving our transport system is essential if we are to connect some of our most disadvantaged communities with the opportunities that are available in the city. 

“I understand that there will be those who say that ‘this is just another tax when the country is facing a cost-of-living crisis?’ So let me address that head on. The current levels of traffic in Cardiff are costing the average resident hundreds upon hundreds of pounds each year and holding our economy back. That’s on top of the environmental and health damage caused by congestion. So, it’s imperative that we create a transport system where everyone – in particular our poorest and most disadvantaged communities – can be better connected with the jobs and opportunities we know are available in the city. 

“We also know that, in Cardiff, the lowest levels of car ownership are amongst young people, those who are disabled, those living in the southern arc and those from a minority ethnic background. As a result, they are entirely reliant on public transport. So, the people that are being hit the hardest by the cost-of-living crisis now will be the ones that benefit the most if a scheme is introduced in four of five years’ time, when hopefully we will all face a better economic climate.” 

The move has been criticised by the Welsh Conservatives who claim the moves are part of an ‘anti-car’ agenda.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport Natasha Asghar MS said: “The last thing the working public of Wales needs right now is another bill. With public transport links outside of Cardiff too unreliable to be seen as viable alternatives, this appears to be just another way to punish motorists.

“With the Labour Government’s backwards ban on road building, the impending rollout of 20mph speed limits, and vital financial support for buses coming to an end you can’t help but feel that motorists are being targeted. 

“Cardiff is not a large enough city to implement such a scheme and a large proportion of the workforce come from areas that are not easy to travel from, unless you own a car. By forcing people out of their cars, this congestion charge will be a detriment to people’s work life balance as they will spend their mornings and evenings, on public transport that is unreliable and constantly late.”