Pembrokeshire tradesmen warned about parking on double yellow lines (From Western Telegraph)
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Pembrokeshire tradesmen warned about parking on double yellow lines
10:10am Friday 25th February 2011 in News By Ruth Davies
PEMBROKESHIRE’S new parking regime means an end to the days when tradesmen parked on double yellow lines with a note on their windscreen.
Now they will have to pay†at least £25 if their work means that their vehicles have to be left in ‘no parking’ areas – or risk a fine.
Builders, window cleaners, removal men†and glaziers are among the trades who may be granted parking waivers or dispensations by Pembrokeshire County Council.
They will need to apply three days in advance, paying a £15, non-refundable fee. If the application is allowed, they will then be charged £10 for each space required.
The council’s guidance notes state that ‘same day dispensations may be granted in emergency situations’.
They add: “A dispensation is not intended for those who will not require constant access to their vehicle. They must drop off tools/equipment and then park where it is legal to do so. A dispensation will only be issued where the council agrees there is no alternative option available.”
The†dispensation scheme was highlighted at Tenby Town Council last week, when Councillor Caroline Thomas commented: “So many streets in Tenby do not have parking spaces outside. We managed in the past because the police were flexible. We have now lost this flexibility.”
Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman Len Mullins said: “Previously, contractors were used to parking anywhere with little control and much abuse. We are beginning to exercise some control in an area where there has been little management previously.”
Emergency services, highway contractors, Royal Mail vehicles, doctors and up to three cars for weddings or funerals are exempt from needing a dispensation.
Application forms are available either online or†by contacting†the council’s parking services on 01437 764551.
Loading bays are ticket hotspots
Loading bays throughout Pembrokeshire are turning into parking ticket hotspots.
Whoever parks in the bays must be seen to be returning to their vehicle within minutes to prove that loading or unloading is actually taking place.
Council spokesman Len Mullins said: “There are two types of loading bay. Goods vehicle loading bays are for goods vehicles only. Standard loading bays can be used by anyone for 20 minutes (or whatever the parking sign dictates), providing loading or unloading – not shopping – is taking place.
“Regulations allow for five minutes observation time by civil parking enforcement officers.”
Comments(30)
Walter mitty
says...
1:55am Sat 26 Feb 11
Eckysense
says...
8:57am Sat 26 Feb 11
Mervin J
says...
10:43am Sat 26 Feb 11
Friday, 18 February 2011
Sir,
I am sure that all the good folk of Tenby who like me skidded and slid their way through the untreated snow and ice covered roads and pavements to support our local shops just prior to Christmas truly appreciate the role of the new traffic patrol officers. They can do what the worst of the weather couldn’t by keeping the shops, pubs and restaurants clear of customers.
At a time when all other local authorities in Wales are doing all they can to keep their town centres alive by encouraging more shoppers into our town and city centres and preventing the spread of out-of-town developments, Pembrokeshire does its best to drive them away.
Hundreds of local people supporting local shops have already received parking fines.
Parking a car in a normally empty loading bay on a wet Sunday afternoon now costs £70 (yes I’ve had mine).
Apparently, the sight of a nice empty row of parking bays in winter is far preferable to pubs and shops full of customers and people earning a living.
Stopping to pick-up a newspaper from a struggling newsagent or a bag of chips from a fish and chip shop employing local people can now cost the same as a week’s dole money. Which is by coincidence where many proprietors and their staff will soon be heading. A stung customer does not come back.
For a town dependent on tourism for its prosperity, surely common sense would suggest looking at increasing free parking, not discouraging visitors and locals.
Does the town really need so many double yellow lines?
Many believe that we have not yet seen the worst of the recession. How many people drive through and away from Tenby because they could not park. What is certain is those that get a ticket will not be coming back or recommending a visit to their friends.
As frustration mounts, there is a light on the horizon. The wardens may be here to stay, but the councillors who brought them into existence will all be facing an election in just over a year’s time. Their future might not be quite so secure.
Allan Morris,
Penally.
conspiracy
says...
12:00pm Sat 26 Feb 11
Tina2
says...
1:01pm Sat 26 Feb 11
Walter mitty wrote:And this is the very place that needs sorting out.
I was in Pembroke today, still there are cars parked all over the place on double yellows, Ambulances and Fire Engines having to zig zag all through the Main Street, not one enforcement officer or traffic warden about.
TeifionArall
says...
3:05pm Sat 26 Feb 11
Councils are working hand in glove with the large (well funded) supermarkets with free out of town car parks - the long term plan is to to ensure that its impossible to get into towns to park to support the local shops so were forced to use the out of town centres
I know its unlikely (or is it?) but what else explains the actions of all local councils silly short sighted actions - and PLEASE don't talk about any green excuses as I sadly these days drive to Carmarthen to park in a really nice big car park (60 miles round trip)
BarryFundle
says...
3:19pm Sat 26 Feb 11
And lets face it, there's only space for about for about 10 vehicles to illegally park there.
It appears the council prefer to send their enforcers over to more lucrative areas (i.e. where more vehicles can be ticketed) like Tenby and Saundersfoot.
However, I did see a bloke getting a ticket whilst parked outside Robinson's newsagent on Pembroke's East End Square in the week. There are 6 parking bays outside the shop, but were all full - two of the bays were occupied by... you guessed it... PCC enforcement vans.
You couldn't make it up.
Tina2
says...
6:07pm Sat 26 Feb 11
Gwallgof
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7:59pm Sat 26 Feb 11
Tina2
says...
9:45am Sun 27 Feb 11
Gwallgof wrote:I would have had to say something to them.
I was in Pembroke today - and legally parked on the Commons - where is where I always would have parked. However, the Main Street was full of cars on double yellows, the taxi only parking was full of people who were grocery shopping and having meals in the chip shop. Nothing has improved in this town!
Gwallgof
says...
10:19am Sun 27 Feb 11
TeifionArall
says...
12:34pm Sun 27 Feb 11
In Pembroke Dock we have disabled spaces near the entrance to ASDA BUT the parking meter which everyone must use is at the furthest corner from the shop entrance
As Cowboy Councillor John would say - you have to pay a lot to get the best ;-)
I doubt he'd recognise efficient if it bit him on the bum:(
Tina2
says...
2:12pm Sun 27 Feb 11
TeifionArall wrote:3 hours free parking for the disabled in Carmarthenshire.
slightly off topic?
In Pembroke Dock we have disabled spaces near the entrance to ASDA BUT the parking meter which everyone must use is at the furthest corner from the shop entrance
As Cowboy Councillor John would say - you have to pay a lot to get the best ;-)
I doubt he'd recognise efficient if it bit him on the bum:(
Andrew Lye
says...
7:46pm Sun 27 Feb 11
Is it worth the cost of fuel, Tina2
Easier and cheaper to stay at home now, unfortunately.
Tina2
says...
7:36am Mon 28 Feb 11
conspiracy wrote:Isn't it odd that now parking fines are going into PCC coffers they are interested in the parking/traffic problems in the county.
Council inaction on the lack of parking places in Pembrokeshire has been the cause of most of our illegal parking problems. Maybe everyone with a gripe about lack of parking spaces, parking charges, should all get together and park in the County Halls Car Park, half an hour before the coucil offices open, filling it, and when the offices open,all go into County Hall and individually ask to speak to someone and make our protests. It would only take a couple of hundred legally parked cars to get the message across. The people have the power, if they will to use it!
Prior to this they weren't bothered, I don't know how many times I phoned the council to complain about things to be told "phone the police".
danthomas
says...
9:25am Mon 28 Feb 11
indeview
says...
9:25am Mon 28 Feb 11
Following the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement legislation whereby Councils could take over parking enforcement from the police, thereby freeing up police resources for other duties, the Cabinet agreed to raise offstreet parking charges and introduce new charges.
When the cabinet agreed these increases, there was no mention of detailed of CPE implications. These, more staff, parking fines and penalties for on and off street infringments, only came to light much later on in the process of putting the complete regime in place. Our councillors didn't know anything about what would be involved, as the managed process of approval was unveiled in incremental stages, guided by officers.
It is clear from comments made from various communities that one size doesn't suit all.
philipw
says...
10:22am Mon 28 Feb 11
Additionally I think you are saying that most councillors, let alone the public had no idea of this strategy.
Yet another example I think of the tail, (which in this case are the paid council officers),wagging the dog(elected councillors).
Willy-E
says...
11:51am Mon 28 Feb 11
shyeahright
says...
12:52pm Mon 28 Feb 11
partnership is sold wholesale to a private company like NCP? It's strange how Pembs has jumped in with these people, whose 'manor' covers Denbigh, Anglesey, Gwynedd and Wrexham.
Are the collectors on a paid-by-results scam? I'm sure they must 'incentive-ise' their staff.
Gwallgof
says...
1:23pm Mon 28 Feb 11
Tina2
says...
4:06pm Mon 28 Feb 11
Gwallgof wrote:Well it was hard for the three traffic wardens we had, to do all the work there was to be done.
Quite right Willy-E the restrictions have always been - the illegality has always been - the obstructions and delays caused have always been. We paid the police handsomely to enforce the rules - they did not. The illegal parkers have no justifiable complaint. We the tax payers have a complaint against the police - we paid they did not enforce. Will we now get a reduction in their charges.
How on earth were they suppose to keep up cut themselves in half.
Gwallgof
says...
6:52pm Mon 28 Feb 11
Tina2 wrote:I did not see them actually doing a lot.... Browns anyone? I did see a lot of patrol cars drive through Pembroke and do nothing. The Chief Constable had our money and had the resources to do something about it.
Gwallgof wrote:Well it was hard for the three traffic wardens we had, to do all the work there was to be done.
Quite right Willy-E the restrictions have always been - the illegality has always been - the obstructions and delays caused have always been. We paid the police handsomely to enforce the rules - they did not. The illegal parkers have no justifiable complaint. We the tax payers have a complaint against the police - we paid they did not enforce. Will we now get a reduction in their charges.
How on earth were they suppose to keep up cut themselves in half.
Tina2
says...
7:07am Tue 1 Mar 11
Gwallgof wrote:You must have had a different one to us because she was always patrolling and dishing out tickets.
Tina2 wrote:I did not see them actually doing a lot.... Browns anyone? I did see a lot of patrol cars drive through Pembroke and do nothing. The Chief Constable had our money and had the resources to do something about it.
Gwallgof wrote:Well it was hard for the three traffic wardens we had, to do all the work there was to be done.
Quite right Willy-E the restrictions have always been - the illegality has always been - the obstructions and delays caused have always been. We paid the police handsomely to enforce the rules - they did not. The illegal parkers have no justifiable complaint. We the tax payers have a complaint against the police - we paid they did not enforce. Will we now get a reduction in their charges.
How on earth were they suppose to keep up cut themselves in half.
Tina2
says...
7:08am Tue 1 Mar 11
All these extra costs will be passed on to the person who is paying the bill at the end of the day..........more expense.
TeifionArall
says...
7:58am Tue 1 Mar 11
Andrew Lye wrote:Andrew Im the guy who travels 60 miles so I can park freely, I know it makes no financial sense but I really don't care.
60 miles round trip to Carmarthen. Approx 6 litres at £1.30 a litre. Is it worth the cost of fuel, Tina2 Easier and cheaper to stay at home now, unfortunately.
Also for the other commentators - I used to live in a english south coast town that introduced VERY strict parking regulations, the council allowed the NCP to stop charging per hour and just several quid for the day - I believe efficiency, climate change and green were the buzz words used - there's plenty of parking spaces - indeed you'll see more cars in the town centre than shops these days - If you exclude Banks, bld socs and WH smith all the shops are either charity shops or boarded up
Tina2
says...
5:55am Wed 2 Mar 11
Andrew Lye wrote:What I was getting at was if CCC can offer the free three hours parking why can't PCC?
60 miles round trip to Carmarthen. Approx 6 litres at £1.30 a litre.
Is it worth the cost of fuel, Tina2
Easier and cheaper to stay at home now, unfortunately.
indeview
says...
9:09am Wed 2 Mar 11
The introduction of increased and new charges, required new machines which could cope, so the 2002 policy was implemented without specific current review by councillors.
Before introducing CPE the Council had to apply for approval from WAG. This process included a statutory consultation with stakeholders which has been published, including PIPPA, who made "no adverse comments".
Andrew Lye
says...
11:59am Wed 2 Mar 11
Its OK to say tradesmen can apply for licenses, but so many get their work sent to them at short notice and they dont have a PA to liaise with the Council to get such permits.
Did the Council inform ALL tradesmen in writing as the first I've heard of this is in the article, above?
In my own work, I always park in places where its OK to park as I wont risk parking on a pavement or on yellow lines. I didnt stop me getting a ticket in Llandeilo for overstaying in a parking space so its not just Pembrokeshire that is using the heavy hand technique.
If everyone parks legitimately, you cant complain, but the current system will probably make it more difficult for tradesmen to do their work and shops will lose some trade, but no doubt the Council will not say its their fault as nothing is ever their fault as they are merely enforcing the law.
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Gwallgof says...
11:42am Fri 25 Feb 11