THE people of Llanrwst were up in arms this week with the news that further parking restrictions are to be introduced in the market town. Residents are waiting to see how the latest revised restrictions for waiting vehicles, agreed by the town council, will affect the number of visitors to the town, as well as residential parking. Some believe the changes are being implemented without their consent, and made their feelings clear to councillors last week. Resident Richard Newstead, who conducted his own traffic survey asking 46 business owners their opinions on the town’s parking, said: “Local and county councillors haven’t been asking the right questions or informing us of their actions. “The town council needs to be aware of what needs doing. There’s clearly a downturn in business in the town and the main contributing factor is traffic and parking issues.” Conwy County Council brought forward changes to waiting restrictions on certain sections of some of the town’s main roads 18 months ago, changing the waiting times to 8am-6pm. The town council has been negotiating the restrictions for some months in order to get the best deal. Cllr Phillip Appleton has spoken out against his own council, saying townsfolk are not being informed about the changes as much as they should be. “The council isn’t telling people or making them aware of the changes at the beginning of the process,” he claimed. But councillor Sandra Holmes is in full approval of the changes being made. “I was especially pleased to see that parking will remain free at Glasdir for the next 12 months,” she said. The latest changes have been illustrated on a number of road maps and described in a letter sent by head of Conwy’s highways department, David Peel. It said: “On sections of roads where there are new waiting limits of 8am-6pm residents can park for 120 minutes from 8am and for 120 minutes before 6pm, which effectively will allow them to park from 4pm-10am.” A spokeswoman for Conwy said: “After considerable consultation with the town council we’re planning to advertise a number of proposed changes to the current waiting restrictions, which aim to benefit traders and visitors to Llanrwst.” Anyone wishing to view the maps should visit the town council office at Sycharth, Tan-y-Graig, any Tuesday. samantha.castle | 
