Big changes ahead for parking in Cardiff

There are big changes ahead for car parking in Cardiff, after the city council’s cabinet approved a new City Parking Plan yesterday (Thursday 16 October).

The 10-year strategy, which follows a period of public consultation, is designed to tackle the city’s parking challenges, support sustainable travel, and improve quality of life for residents and visitors, the council says.

We first reported on the proposals early last year.

The council says the plan, which aims to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and make the city’s streets safer and more accessible, brings Cardiff into line with other major UK cities.

Key Features of the plan include:

• Three Parking Management Areas: Cardiff will be divided into City & Civic Centre, Inner, and Outer Areas, each with tailored parking policies to reflect local needs.

• Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs): On-street parking in the Central Area will be managed through CPZs, with operational hours and rules designed to prioritise residents, blue badge holders, essential services, and local businesses.

• New permits: New types of permits will be rolled out, including for residents, students, businesses, carers, and community premises.

• Changes for SUVs and motorbikes: Oversized and more polluting vehicles, such as SUVs, will incur extra charges, while motorbikes will need permits to use resident bays.

• Visitor parking changes: Residents will be able to get daily visitor permits, but hourly ones will still be available for more flexibility.

• Support for vulnerable groups: The plan prioritises blue badge holders and introduces new permits for professional and unpaid carers.

• Community involvement: The operational days and times of parking controls in the Outer Area will be set in consultation with local communities.

  
  

Cardiff Council cabinet member Dan De’Ath said: “By listening to residents and businesses, we’re ensuring that our streets work for everyone - supporting local communities, tackling congestion, and helping us meet our climate goals. This plan is about making Cardiff a better place to live, work, and visit for years to come.

“But we recognise that parking is a finite resource and that difficult choices must be made to balance the needs of residents, businesses, visitors, and vulnerable groups.”

The plan has been shaped by the findings of a comprehensive public consultation. Feedback led to significant changes to the original proposal, including merging the Bay and Outer Areas, greater flexibility for visitor permits, and revised eligibility for student and business permits.

The council says the plan will be phased over the next 10 years, with ongoing engagement and regular reviews.