Following complaints being raised by a number of constituents, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has been tackling the Welsh Government over a punitive parking policy here in Wales, calling on the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure to follow the far more considerate Conservatives policy introduced in England.

Janet 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 hours work.

“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.

“The response from the Cabinet Secretary seems to indicate that the Labour Welsh Government favour the current unfair punitive policy, but there remains a glimmer of hope that they might adopt my proposal given that it has now been sent to officials for consideration”.    

ENDS

Written Assembly Question and Response:

Janet Finch-Saunders: 

Will the Cabinet Secretary explain whether the Welsh Government intends to follow The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General (Amendment) Regulations 2015, by introducing a no-penalty charge for the contravention where the vehicle has been left beyond the permitted parking period for a period not exceeding ten minutes? (WAQ75955)

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure: 

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. 

Notes

The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General (Amendment) Regulations 2015