More pay and display ticket machines have been installed on the Colwyn Bay promenade – but by mistake. 

Three machines have been installed on the beach front between The Toad and the junction with the Cayley Promenade on the Colwyn Bay side.

This looked set to be the third installation of pay and display machines on the promenade, with drivers already having to pay for parking between Rotary Way - by the junction 22 turn off, and Marine Road. 

But Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) said, while an extension of paid parking is planned, these three new machines were installed “in error”. 

A CCBC spokesperson said: “Contractors have installed three parking meters in error. These machines are not operational and will be covered.

“The intention is to extend parking charges from Marine Road to the junction with the Cayley Promenade on the Rhos On Sea side, but there is no definite timescale for this at present.”

Charges will apply between 10am and 4pm and will cost 50p for one hour, £1 for two, £2.50 for four and £3.50 for more than four hours.

Previous installations have caused uproar amongst residents from the area, with a number of readers taking to social media saying the paid parking would deter them from parking on the beach front in Colwyn Bay. 

But the CCBC spokesperson said the introduction of charges between Rotary Way and Marine Road had had no significant impact on parking habits to date. 

Figures for parking on that section of the promenade between February 12 and June 3 showed 7,231 people still paid to park in this area.

Colwyn Bay mayor, councillor Stephen Williams, said while the new paid parking system may not deter visitors, it was beginning to create an an issue for residents. 

Cllr Williams said: “It is a difficult decision. Tourists have no problem in paying because of the facilities they get for that money.

"But the problem is going to be during the day with local people. They are losing more and more parking spaces and it is getting harder and harder to park in Colwyn Bay.

“I get it, why Conwy County Borough Council are doing this from a financial point of view, but there needs to be a balance. Residents have to be given options. Something’s got to happen the county council certainly can’t keep taking valuable spaces.”
Money from the parking machines is used to keep Conwy’s roads safe, clean and attractive.