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Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Powys parking charges will 'kill the town' says councillor
Welshpool Town Council has criticised new car parking charges being introduced to Powys, with one member saying it will 'kill the town'. At a full council meeting on July 23, Welshpool councillors raised issues they had with planned car parking charges being introduced to the town as part of changes following Powys Council's car parking review. Cllr Sally Fitzgerald said: 'This has upset an awful lot of people. It's going to kill the town. Local business owners are really worried about charges going up. 'There's not enough footfall in town as it is and this would be detrimental to the town as residents would rather go somewhere like Oswestry other than Welshpool. I really don't understand why Powys are doing this because it's not good." Welshpool mayor Cllr Phil Owen added: 'How in the name of all that's reasonable can Powys apply blanket parking charges to an area the size of this with a sparsely populated area with a lot of rural inhabitants coming into town without adequate transport. 'We're diverse in terms of people's income, their daily usage of the car park and their basic transport facilities. How are we the same as someone in an area with an entirely different economy to ours. It's insane.' Councillors also considered the issue a problem in tackling illegal parking, driving footfall to the town and inconveniencing people who work and volunteer in Welshpool on a regular basis. 'Powys Council are out for every penny they can get with car parks' said Cllr Alison Davies. 'Look at the 10k event. Last year it was a real problem as they couldn't get everyone to pay because the machines were so slow. 'It's a real problem on the town and on everyone who's employed but also look at volunteers in charity shops, which we have plenty of. Consider the cost for transport and cost of parking for someone doing that.' Cllr David France also criticised the charges in addition to changes to parking for Blue Badge holders, who will also need to purchase a pay and display ticket in council car parks. He said: 'We'd all like car parks to be free, while we know money has to come from somewhere, another part that bothers me is the council now asking for disabled people to pay for parking. 'I understand that money will have to come from somewhere but don't make it off the backs of disabled and vulnerable people.'
Powys County Times
23-07-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
See the winners from the 2025 Welshpool Community Awards
Welshpool Town Council recognised several volunteers for their work serving the community at the 2025 Welshpool Community Awards. The town council announced the winners of the community awards as part of a special ceremony at Welshpool Town Hall on Sunday, July 20, with the winners accepted their awards from the Mayor of Welshpool, Cllr Phil Owen and Deputy Mayor of Welshpool. These awards, nominated by the public, aim to recognise individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community, with the winners at the 2025 ceremony including volunteers who provided food and transport to Welshpool residents, a group that manage a garden space in Powis Castle and some anonymous crafters who add a bit of colour to Welshpool's High Street. Mayor of Welshpool, Cllr Phil Owen said: 'The Welshpool Community Awards highlight the incredible generosity, creativity, and resilience that make our town so special.' 'Each of this year's recipients has made a lasting difference to the lives of others, often quietly and without expectation of recognition.' 'On behalf of the Town, I offer our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to them all.' Among the winners of the 2025 community awards were Ann Watt and Sonia Wyatt, volunteers at Meals on Wheels who have been delivering meals to the community in all weathers. Dr Tony Harvey and Dr Revd Roger Brown were also recognised by the awards for their longstanding service to Welshpool. The Welshpool post-box topper creators, a group of anonymous crafters who create knitted decorations for the top of a post-box on Broad Street were also awarded for 'cheering up many people in the community with their wonderful and colourful creations'. Another group awarded was the Community Transport Scheme, as during 2024-2025, the volunteers gave 1,220 hours of their own time, completing 453 journeys that covered 16,042 miles. Describing the transport scheme's efforts, Cllr Owen added: 'The drivers are incredibly kind, compassionate, attentive and always prioritise the safety and comfort of their passengers. ' Ponthafren Powis Castle Garden Group received the Highly Commended Certificate, recognising the efforts of the group made up of five volunteers who manage a garden space, hidden away in the grounds of Powis Castle. The group meet weekly and work hard to look after the garden, grow food an support each other.
