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- Regulations will be introduced to give councils more powers to fine pavement parkers in problem areas – falling short of a blanket ban on pavement parking.
- Extra civil enforcement powers would come into effect by July 2022.
- Deputy Minister dismisses alternatives such as communal parking areas.
Following the publication of recommendations from a special taskforce (pdf), yesterday the Deputy Minister for Economy & Transport, Lee Waters (Lab, Llanelli), announced that councils would be granted additional powers to deal with pavement parking.
Shadow Economy Minister, Russell George MS (Con, Montgomery), raised the prospect of councils having to audit roads and make numerous traffic orders. The Deputy Minister clarified that this wouldn’t be a Scottish-style blanket ban. The goal is to target pavement parking in the worst places – such as outside schools.
While pavement parking is annoying, even dangerous, to pedestrians, the disabled and parents, several members brought up scenarios whereby pavement parking could be considered reasonable.
This could include tradespeople trying to avoid causing an obstruction, while Vikki Howells MS (Lab, Cynon Valley) mentioned narrow streets – which may be more than 150 years old – as well as a lack of spaces on newer housing estates.
The Deputy Minister said it would be down to councils to decide how they use their new powers, which will be introduced via regulations and come into force by July 2022.
Helen Mary Jones MS (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) wondered whether communal parking areas could be established in areas with inadequate on-street parking?
Both Caroline Jones MS (Ind, South Wales West) and Huw Irranca-Davies MS (Lab, Ogmore) noted increased car ownership by households living on streets which weren’t designed for them. There would need to be some public buy-in.
The Deputy Minister agreed and, alongside the proposed default 20 mph speed limit, the new measures would be accompanied by a public information campaign.
He dismissed creating new car parks as a poor use of public land and funding.
While pavement parking is a specific problem, the government’s goal is to encourage people to rely less on their cars in the first place and switch to walking, cycling or public transport; the poorest 20% of households spend up to a quarter of their income running cars.
