A 'SMALL reduction' in ticket sales began before the introduction of controversial changes to car parking charges, a council has said.

During a meeting of Mold Town Council recently Dave Hill, town centre manager for Mold, said he believes footfall in the town is declining and that the only real indicator was the level of car park usage.

According to data provided by Flintshire Council, he told colleagues, the indication is that they are declining - but he added it is 'early days' at the moment.

Some councillors suggested the new car park charges and times introduced by Flintshire Council earlier this year could be a factor in the decline, as well as the apparent 'displacement' of motorists to other areas for parking.

But Harvey Mitchell, waste and ancillary services manager at Flintshire Council said: "The council is aware of a small reduction in the number of tickets purchased, compared to the previous year, with this trend beginning in late 2017.

"We have not seen a further decrease in tickets purchased since the new charges were introduced in May 2018.

"We are also not aware of any significant levels of displacement of cars parking around the town since the new charges have been introduced.

"The council has committed to carry out a review of car parking in the town following the implementation of the new charges."

Cllr Robin Guest told the meeting of Mold Town Council: "Although it would be misleading to say the change in car park charges has been a game changer for the town, it wold be a vast exaggeration to say it was the straw that breaks the camel's back.

"It is yet one more thing that is unhelpful and makes it more difficult."