Pembrokeshire Coast National Park have issued a statement in response to the vandalism of a brand new pay and display machine at West Angle Bay car park.

The newly established machine was found to have been smeared with a concrete-like substance, putting it completely out of action before its scheduled launch on Monday (March 15).

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, commented: “We will not tolerate such acts of criminal damage and have reported the matter to Dyfed-Powys Police to investigate. Visitors to the car park can use the PayByPhone system to book their parking either in advance of their visit or when they arrive at the car park. For further details visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/parking.”

The National Park Authority manages 14 car parks that operate charges between 9 am and 7 pm from March 15 to November 7 each year.

The income is used to help maintain the car parks and paths in the National Park.

Now people who don’t wish to use the existing on-site coin machines are able to use PayByPhone, which allows people to purchase tickets via an app, text, a phone call or online via www.paybyphone.co.uk/pcnp.

The charging car parks are located at - Amroth, Saundersfoot Regency, Penally, Manorbier, Freshwater East, West Angle Bay, Little Haven, Nolton Haven, Newgale (Pebbles), Solva, Oriel y Parc (St Davids), Newport Sands and Poppit Sands.

‘LOCAL OPPOSITION’

The decision to charge for parking at West?Angle Bay was part of a consultation approved in July 2018. It was proposed alongside the introduction of charges at other car parks including Penally Station and Amroth.

Public opposition from Angle residents was strong, however, as it was understood that the land had been sold by a resident family to the local authority for just £1 on the understanding that parking remained free of charge. It was a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ rather than a written contract. Nevertheless a sign erected by the National Parks in 1967 said that the land had been given “for use as a free car park in perpetuity,” and official documents referred to the land as ‘West Angle Bay Free Car Park.’ In 2019 a petition opposing the introduction of charges was signed by 3,000 members of the community.