Original article by Mari Jones of the Daily Post - available online here: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/no-plans-rein-over-ze…

The Welsh Government has no plans to introduce 10 minute grace period which has been in force for three years in England

Wales has no plans yet to introduce a 10 minute grace period for drivers slapped with a parking ticket.

A law was introduced in 2015 in England giving motorists time to get back to their cars before “over-zealous” wardens would be allowed to issue a penalty charge.

At the time, the then Communities Secretary Eric Pickles hailed the legislation as “ending the war on drivers” and putting “common sense back into parking”.

Now Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders has urged the Welsh Government to follow England’s lead and end its “punitive parking policy”.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “Many people use their vehicles to visit our town centres across Wales to shop, holiday, attend meetings, and much more.

“As you will be aware, when parking on a street or in some car parks, careful consideration has been given to time restrictions – councils now being seen as very efficient at issuing parking tickets.

"This is true here in Conwy as I know of a constituent who was fined £50 at 8.05am, the allocated time in the car park coming to an end only five minutes before.

“To be clear, this equates to £10 a minute, more than many people get paid for an hour’s work.”

The Tory AM added: “The truth of the matter is that there should be a 10 minute grace period as unforeseen circumstances can often render us all a few minutes late.

“Such a policy was introduced by the Conservative Government for England in 2015, so I have called on the Welsh Government to do the same in Wales.”

But a response from the WG Cabinet Secretary seems to indicate Cardiff may be minded to consider a change in approach.

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure said: “The Welsh Government does not currently plan to follow England by introducing a ten minute grace period before a penalty charge is payable and a penalty charge notice can be served in relation to a parking contravention.

“However, I have asked officials to consider this matter before providing advice on the available options.”