At a special Cabinet meeting on Monday 4 August 2025, councillors voted to reinstate free layby parking along Princess Margaret Way, citing the strength of feeling expressed by residents, businesses, and local groups.
The move follows intense public engagement, including a packed meeting at the Seaside Social and Labour Club in Sandfields on 20 June, where locals voiced concerns about the impact of charges on mental health, accessibility, and the viability of short, frequent visits to the beach.
Earlier coverage by Swansea Bay News highlighted growing frustration over the charges, with calls to scrap them intensifying ahead of key council meetings. In one article, campaigners described the fees as “unfair and unnecessary,” arguing they disproportionately affected older residents and those with mobility issues.
In response, the council’s Visible Services and Streetscene Scrutiny Committee recommended a reversal on 25 July, prompting Cabinet to act swiftly.
Cllr Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said:
“It was made very clear to us at that meeting how important the laybys are to people’s mental health and how important they are to local businesses and community groups, and we listened.”
The new arrangement will introduce free parking under a ‘two hour no return’ rule, once signage is updated and traffic regulations amended. Crucially, no enforcement will take place during the transition period.
The council had previously proposed changes to soften the impact of the charges, including reduced rates and exemptions — but these were met with continued resistance from the community.
Cllr Hunt acknowledged the financial pressures facing the council but emphasised the importance of listening to residents:
“We recognise the wider impact these charges have had on our communities. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to express their views on this issue in so many different ways.”
