THE LABOUR cabinet at Caerphilly council is not known for listening to the views of residents, so the decision to press ahead with charges for parking will not have surprised many.

While we all know the financial pressures faced by the authority,– not helped by the millions of pounds being frittered on senior officers’ pay rises – the decision to introduce charges is short-sighted.

Everyone it seems is urging people to take exercise and what better place that one of our wonderful country parks? But the introduction of charges will, inevitably, act as a deterrent.

It is disappointing that the council only entered into a consultation exercise after the proposals were publicised. The cabinet clearly had made their mind up whatever the thousands of people who signed protest petitions had said.

The cabinet member’s claim that the views of users and residents were carefully considered rings hollow.

They really didn’t want to hear the views of the public.

I question whether the new charges will bring in anything like the £80,000 a year estimated and I will be keeping a close watch on how much income this short-sighted scheme will generate.

Colin Mann Plaid Cymru group leader Caerphilly County Borough Council