Parking will remain free of charge in Abergavenny’s Byefield Lane after it was reported that fees were set to be introduced.

A public notice issued by Monmouthshire County Council stated plans to introduce a five-day/weekly parking ticket for long-stay car parks in Abergavenny, initially included Byefield Lane in the chargeable category.

MCC has now said charges to park in Byefield Lane will be kept to the usual £3 charge applied to Tuesday only.

The county council also plans to introduce parent and toddler spaces at Castle Street and Fairfield car parks in Abergavenny.

Figures released recently show Welsh councils made a combined profit of almost £14m in 2015/16. The total — which includes on and off-street parking and penalty fares — has increased for each of the previous three years.

Before accounting for running costs, Welsh councils racked up almost £40m from car parking — an increase of six per cent on the last year.

Out of 22 councils, 19 made a profit, with Cardiff soaking up £3.5m — the largest.

Back in November last year, the Wales Audit Office suggested cash-strapped councils could raise revenues by spiking service charges, but warned that higher fees could choke off tourism and discourage shoppers.

The report, headed by the RAC Foundation, also found Monmouthshire’s parking system to be the most efficient, with £490,000 spent to bring in £1.42m.