REDUCED parking rates at Newport council’s pay and display car parks will come into force today.

Motorists will pay a nominal 10 pence charge for the first two hours stay at the city’s Emlyn Street, Faulkner Road, Hill Street, Maindee, Market, Riverfront and Stow Hill surface car parks.

Two-hour free parking is already in place at Cambrian and Park Square car parks and the Kingsway car park has extend its two-hour free parking from Monday to Saturday until March 31.

Newport City Council approved the initiative after calls from traders who said more needed to be done to help attract people into the city centre to increase trade.

While free parking could be easily introduced in the multi storey car parks a nominal 10 pence charge was introduced to surface car parks to prevent delays and eliminate the extra cost of new ticket machines.

Council leader Matthew Evans said the scheme was a major boost for the city centre and urged people to use it as an opportunity to support "the Port.”

Deputy leader councillor Ed Townsend said the authority hoped the free parking would increase the appeal of Newport, until the new Friars Walk shopping and leisure complex was complete.

Current parking charges will continue to apply to stays over two hours and all council car parks will continue to be free on Sundays. Business parking charges will also not be affected by the new charges.

The scheme will run on a trial basis and will be reviewed after three and six months, and the effects discussed with traders.