Free Christmas parking has been approved for Pontardawe, Port Talbot and Neath town centres from Saturday, December 11, 2021 to Saturday, January 1, 2022.

Members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Streetscene and Engineering Cabinet Board took the decision motorists will not have to pay for parking at Pay and Display car parks in the town centre locations during the dates to help local residents and to give a boost to local businesses.

An officers’ report to the Cabinet Board, which met on November 5, said: “It’s acknowledged our town centres and the traders who operate in them have been significantly affected during periods of lockdown with many being prevented from opening. “To support our town centre economy it is acknowledged that providing free Christmas car parking will further support our local economy’s recovery.”

Signs will be placed at the relevant Pay and Display car parks (The Gnoll Estate Country Park, Aberavon Seafront and Afan Forest Park car parks are not included) informing drivers of the free offer over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Ted Latham, said: “Pontardawe, Port Talbot and Neath all offer a diverse range of shops, attractions and places to eat or drink, and I hope free parking this Christmas will encourage shoppers to buy locally and also tempt visitors to see for themselves what the county borough has to offer.”