Four car-parking areas in Torfaen to reopen on Thursday

In light of the recent Welsh Government announcement relaxing some of the Covid-19 restrictions, two different households can now meet up outdoors (within a 5 mile radius of their home) providing they maintain social distancing. To support this, the council has decided to trial the re-opening of car parking areas that serve ‘local parks’ from Thursday, including the Boating Lake, Southfields and Northfields in Cwmbran and Old Mill Car Park, Pontypool.

Countryside car parks that attract visitors from a wider area will remain closed for the time being because we don’t want to encourage people to travel more than 5 miles. These include those at Garn Lakes, Tirpentwys, Mountain Air and Blaen Bran. However, residents who live local to these areas can still visit via foot or bicycle.

Councillor Mandy Owen, executive member for the environment, said:

We really want these car parking areas to be used responsibly. If there’s any anti-social behaviour, people start parking dangerously, or there are gatherings we will have to shut them again

We want people to be able to enjoy our green spaces especially during this stressful time. Torfaen really is a beautiful place so we hope this announcement will be welcomed by residents.

Council officers and Gwent Police will be monitoring these car-parking areas so please use them responsibly.