Newport City Council proposes free Christmas parking

Newport City Council has proposed a free Christmas parking scheme to support city centre shoppers. If approved by cabinet members, the initiative would allow drivers to park for up to two hours free of charge at several council-owned locations from Monday, November 2, through Sunday, January 3.

The scheme is expected to apply daily and would include multi-storey car parks at Kingsway and Park Square, as well as car parks at Emlyn Street, Faulkner Road, Hill Street, Riverfront, and Stow Hill. Drivers staying longer than two hours would only be required to pay for the additional time.

According to a cabinet report, the initiative will be funded by approximately £130,000 from the council’s reserves. Matthew Evans, leader of the Conservative opposition, welcomed the proposal but suggested the council consider extending the scheme further into January to support local traders.