CARDIFF NCP CAR PARK PRICES

That this House is deeply concerned at price rises implemented at the beginning of June 2007 at NCP-owned car parks in Cardiff city centre; notes that at the Wood Street car park, prices have more than doubled so that two hours' parking now costs £6.40 compared to £2.80 in May 2007; believes that these price rises are extortionate and unaffordable for low income groups; is deeply concerned that these price rises may deter many people from coming into the city centre and, as a result, will have a detrimental effect on local retailers and the city centre as a whole; is alarmed at the apparent lack of cooperation from NCP regarding queries and requests for meetings over their car park price rises, and in providing justifications for the speed and scale of the price rises; and strongly urges NCP to reconsider the price rises at their NCP car parks in Cardiff's city centre.