23 July 2008

Comments made by locals:

"Driver's don't know which way to turn on entering the Maes", "Access to Chapel Street blocked by parked cars!", " An accident waiting to happen", "Whoever thought of this needs his head seeing to", " UK's most expensive car park!"

Caernarfon Taxi's Furious at Chaotic Caernarfon

On the day that what is dubbed the "Caernarfon Eye Sore" returns to town, taxi firms and local businesses are fuming at Wales' newest £2.4 million car park on Castle Square.

At the request of the Chamber of Trade work stopped on the Maes so that the summer trading would not be disrupted.
It is now evident that the plan has not been thought through properly, because on entering the Maes visitors have to "guess" which way to go. Visitors and locals are parking all over the Maes and as Saturday is market day in town, business owners are dreading what will happen then.

The "Most Expensive Car Park in the UK" cost £2.4 million!

There is no signage or road markings in place which would help explain to visitors which route to take. Caernarfon Online have been told parking restrictions have not been applied, therefore it is a "free for all" situation.

Gareth Parry of "Gareth's Taxis" told us.

"As it stands this is a badly planned exercise which unless changed quickly will result in a fatality".

We asked him how many bay's were put aside for taxis to use on the Maes and he explained.

"We have been allocated four Taxi ranks in front of the Spar Shop and currently there are forty taxis working from the Maes alone. We are trying to organise ourselves as best we can, but it seems totally unreasonable and totally unworkable".

Complaints are already being made on how a fairground attraction cheapens the image of the town.

Caernarfon Online asked Gwynedd Councillor Roy Owen who's ward covers the Maes what he thought of the situation. Roy told us,

"As it stands, the Maes is a disaster area, drivers are coming into the Maes not knowing which way to go, on top of this we now have the Ferris wheel located to the right as you enter the Maes taking the driver's attention away from pedestrians".

"The whole situation is chaotic and as people are parking all over the square, I hope and pray that no one get's hurt."

He went on to say,

"When I was Mayor of Caernarfon, my closing speech was that I did not back this project and it would prove to be a waste of money, as time moved on it seems that my words are coming true"

We asked Gwynedd Council about the situation and they said,

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said:

"The Council has arranged for the works on the Maes to be suspended over the main summer season to minimise disruption within the town centre during this busy period.

“We are aware that unauthorised parking in the area has created some difficulties and additional measures are being put in place to address this situation.

“Whilst a permanent taxi rank has been incorporated within the completed scheme, we have also held discussions with representatives of the taxi drivers regarding the temporary arrangements. The issues raised are currently being considered and the main priority will be the safety of all users of the Maes".