Sir,
How inconsiderate and insensitive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks Authority (PCNPA) to significantly increase its parking charges at its 10 charging car parks at a time when we are all having to tighten our belts and motorists are being heavily penalised at the pumps.
Why, too, is there such a large discrepancy between PCNPA charges and those pertaining at Pembrokeshire County Council - (PCC) run car parks? For example, under the new fee structure effective from April 1, motorists will be able to park at a PCC car park for two hours at 40p, whereas in a PCNPA car park the cost will be £3. To park in a PCC car park for up to four hours will cost 80p, whereas PCNPA's charge will be a whopping £5 for the same length of time. How can they justify that, we would like to know?
This season, reluctantly, we will not be visiting any of the locations which has a charging PCNPA car park, as we refuse to be ripped off in this arbitrary manner.
The 10 PCNPA charging car parks are at Saundersfoot, St. David's, Manorbier, Newport, Freshwater East, Poppit, Newgale, Solva and Broad Haven, plus, possibly, Little Haven (tbc).
Each one of these places is a delight to visit, and we are sure that their local shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs would not wish to see visitors deterred from coming by exorbitant car parking charges.
Time for a re-think, National Parks?
Janice and Vincent
Gryckiewicz.
Tenby.