'Join our fight against council's parking plan'.

Byline: By Anna Hammond South Wales Echo 

Opponents to the proposed Controlled Parking Zones in Cardiff are planning a demonstration.

Canton residents and businesses are being urged to show their feelings against the controversial scheme by congregating outside City Hall before a council meeting on Thursday.

Louise Hawkins, chairman of the Canton Residents' Action Committee, which is passionately opposed to the CPZs, said: 'We need to get as many people as we can out on Thursday to put forward the strength of feeling in this area.'

The proposals which have sparked strong opposition from traders, business people and some residents in the areas affected, will be discussed at Cardiff council's meeting in City Hall.

Speaking at a public meeting in Canton Community Hall, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Terry Phillips said: 'It is important that we demonstrate to the council our concern to what they wish to implement on us. This is a quality of life issue that will effect us all.

'If this is implemented, charity shops will be the first to suffer. They rely on voluntary people to work there and they obviously use the local car parks.

'One local firm estimated that CPZ will cost them a minimum of pounds 7,000 a year. The business community does not want the CPZ scheme, some will close, and staff will not be able to commute here.'

Councillor Mohamed Islam who has tabled a motion to Thursday's meeting told residents: 'I ask you to write to councillors across the city, e-mail them and let them know how we feel about this so they can think before the vote on Thursday.'

In his motion he calls for the scrapping of all charges for resident and visitor parking permits, no parking zones that penalise people worshipping, and no reduction in cycle lanes.

The results of public consultation organised by the council are due to be published later this month, according to transport executive member Elgan Morgan.

Coun Morgan said last month that the council was looking at key changes to its CPZ scheme, including introducing the first 15 or 30 minutes free, reviewing the proposed annual resident permit charges and consideration of charging on Sundays.

The CPZ areas proposed include streets around Cowbridge Road East and parts of Riverside, Cardiff Bay, Albany Road and City Road, Roath, and Cathays Terrace, Crwys Road, Woodville Road and Whitchurch Road in Cathays and Gabalfa.