Pavement parking reform delayed

Welsh Government listens to councils’ worries

Plans to give Welsh councils powers to fine pavement parkers have been delayed. It follows complaints from Welsh councils that ministers are asking them to implement too many new transport policies at the same time. The Welsh Government had planned to consult on, and then introduce, the new law by the end of this year, but a consultation will not now start until 2024.

In January, deputy minister for climate change Lee Waters said that the devolved administration would bring in legislation to allow the existing offence of obstruction to be used. Waters said Wales had given up on the “frustratingly slow” process of waiting for Westminster to change the law. The Department for Transport has not progressed the issue since its consultation on pavement parking closed in autumn 2020.

Last month the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) wrote to the Welsh Government about transport policy. The letter stated: “There is a long list of transport-related projects and requirements, all of which are being taken forward simultaneously. The proposal on pavement parking enforcement is just the most recent example. This is placing councils’ highways and transport staff under great pressure with much of it being on top of the ‘day job’, such as maintaining highways and structures, and keeping daily bus services running smoothly.”

The letter also raised concerns about a roads review which scrapped all major road projects and plans to end COVID-era bus support.

The original plan would have seen the new pavement parking law introduced the same year as a default 20mph speed limit in urban areas across Wales. In a statement to the Senedd earlier this year, Waters said: “I propose to consult widely with a view to introducing the necessary legislation by the end of 2023.”

However, in a new statement Waters states: “I recognise that we are asking a lot of hard-pressed local authorities at what continues to be a difficult time. I have listened to the feedback from leaders and decided to delay the consultation on pavement parking until next year. This will enable local authorities to focus on the implementation and introduction of default 20mph speed limits in September 2023 and the work to prepare for bus franchising.

“This is an incredibly busy period for local government. Councils across Wales continue to deliver vitally important services, which people rely on every day and we continue to support them to do so. We have worked closely with, and supported local authorities, through the tough times of austerity, through floods, through the pandemic, and through the cost-of-living crisis.”

Responding to the delay, Joshua James, public affairs manager of Living Streets Cymru, said: “Pavement parking is dangerous and stops many people from leaving the house and enjoying the benefits of walking. While it’s frustrating to see this delay to enforcement, it’s important that Welsh Government and local authorities can work together to make sure that measures to tackle pavement parking are as effective as possible.”