It seems that we have a worldwide audience for CRAP The Campaign for a Realistic Approach to Parking.
Hullo, Australia, the U.S.A., Germany, Portugal, Turkey, India and Holland.
Now that the Hay Literary Festival has started, and is on for another week, we have visitors here from all over the world, enjoying our local hospitality and the attentions of Powys' own ten-strong team of trained and dedicated traffic wardens, all happy to make their stay a happy one.
Keep watching and remember send us your feedback, wherever you are to crap-powys@mail.com.
Sunday 29 May 2011
Thank you Brecon and Radnor Express
CRAP makes the Front PageThis article appeared in The Brecon and Radnor Express last Wednesday. Might be worth reading!
Crowds in Hay Town Centre During the Festival
Town Centre During Hay Festival
Is it any wonder the town urgently needs a parking policy?
Hay expects 200,000 visitors over the ten days of the Hay Literary Festival; all are welcome and numerous charity car parks are set up in fields around the town and festival site.
Residents, traders and other visitors both during this world renowned festival, and at other times of year need somewhere to park and the confidence of knowing their needs are catered for.
Are they being catered for yet?
Thursday 19 May 2011
The Farce Continues
A Warden's Lot is not a Happy One
I can’t say I envy our new Civil Enforcement Officers, or their jobs.
Today there are two CEOs in town “enforcing the law”. Residential streets, away from the town’s commercial centre, which until now have been largely left alone, have today been visited, registration numbers recorded and residents told that parking regulations must be enforced, wherever they are.
This poor warden was soon surrounded by a crowd of protesting, frustrated and very angry residents. One must have some sympathy for his thankless task; it can’t be pleasant to be universally disliked!
The CEO was asked where residents should park as the town centre car park was full to capacity. Unfortunately no answer was forthcoming but the warden did agree to leave things for that day and consult with his superiors. Tomorrow, however is another day!
A number of residents enquired what they should do during the Hay Literary Festival, which starts a week today. Again no answer was provided although residents were told that the County hoped to have a meeting with the Festival organisers to discuss parking over the ten days of the event.
Perhaps we shall be told the outcome of that meeting, I rather think we won’t!
Also parked in the street were several white vans, belonging to trades people working on neighbouring houses and parked on the pavement, over double yellow lines. Good luck to them; they have jobs to do and should be allowed to get on with their work.
The warden told residents that such tradesmen were permitted to park on double yellow lines to unload their tools and equipment, but then must “move on” and find a permitted parking space. As to parking on the pavement; had they not done so, the narrow street would have been entirely blocked!
Surely trades people can apply to the Council for a ‘Dispensation Certificate’ which allows them to park where they would not be otherwise allowed, in order to carry out their work.
Unfortunately, the warden told residents that the Council have not yet prepared any ‘Dispensation Certificates’ and so they could not be issued.
No Parking Policy, no Residents’ Parking Permits, no Dispensation Certificates’. Well done Powys County Council, introduce new Civil Parking Enforcement, recruit ten new officers to enforce it, but don’t prepare the necessary documentation! For some inexplicable reason the Council have printed sufficient Penalty Charge Notices! Does that say anything about the Council’s motivation?
I can’t say I envy our new Civil Enforcement Officers, or their jobs.
Today there are two CEOs in town “enforcing the law”. Residential streets, away from the town’s commercial centre, which until now have been largely left alone, have today been visited, registration numbers recorded and residents told that parking regulations must be enforced, wherever they are.
This poor warden was soon surrounded by a crowd of protesting, frustrated and very angry residents. One must have some sympathy for his thankless task; it can’t be pleasant to be universally disliked!
The CEO was asked where residents should park as the town centre car park was full to capacity. Unfortunately no answer was forthcoming but the warden did agree to leave things for that day and consult with his superiors. Tomorrow, however is another day!
A number of residents enquired what they should do during the Hay Literary Festival, which starts a week today. Again no answer was provided although residents were told that the County hoped to have a meeting with the Festival organisers to discuss parking over the ten days of the event.
Perhaps we shall be told the outcome of that meeting, I rather think we won’t!
Also parked in the street were several white vans, belonging to trades people working on neighbouring houses and parked on the pavement, over double yellow lines. Good luck to them; they have jobs to do and should be allowed to get on with their work.
The warden told residents that such tradesmen were permitted to park on double yellow lines to unload their tools and equipment, but then must “move on” and find a permitted parking space. As to parking on the pavement; had they not done so, the narrow street would have been entirely blocked!
Surely trades people can apply to the Council for a ‘Dispensation Certificate’ which allows them to park where they would not be otherwise allowed, in order to carry out their work.
Unfortunately, the warden told residents that the Council have not yet prepared any ‘Dispensation Certificates’ and so they could not be issued.
No Parking Policy, no Residents’ Parking Permits, no Dispensation Certificates’. Well done Powys County Council, introduce new Civil Parking Enforcement, recruit ten new officers to enforce it, but don’t prepare the necessary documentation! For some inexplicable reason the Council have printed sufficient Penalty Charge Notices! Does that say anything about the Council’s motivation?
Wednesday 18 May 2011
May Fair - or not!
(Breaking down the fair - 6:30 in the evening)
Two More Parking Stories – One Winner One Loser
The winners
Yesterday, Tuesday afternoon, two coaches bearing tourists arrived in Hay. Just what the town needs, visitors keen to spend their money and enjoy everything this unique town has to offer.
The only problem was that the annual May Fair was in town. The May Fair is an event redolent in history. It has long been held in Hay, indeed once it was an annual hiring fair when shepherds, milk maids and farm workers from far and wide sought masters and mistresses to employ them for the next year.
No longer held in Broad Street and Oxford Street, today’s May Fair pitches its rides, tents, caravans and dodgem cars in half the town centre car park and provides fun and frolics for people who gather from all round the area. Hay, Brecon, Llandrindod, Builth all take their turn to host the Fair - Long may it last!
The only problem was that no-one had told the coach drivers about the fair and so when they arrived – there was nowhere to park!
Never say that coach drivers aren’t enterprising; leaving their patient passengers to await them, the drivers went to the Tourist Office to find out what should be done. The Tourist Office staff, masters of initiative, rang the County Council for advice.
Wonder of wonders, the man/woman (?) at the council (we await to find out who is was!) told the drivers to park on Oxford Road, despite the double yellow lines, and he/she would speak to the wardens in the town and instruct them to ‘turn a blind eye’.
Thanks Powys, for showing some common sense. Perhaps it isn’t really ‘incumbent’ on you to enforce the letter of the law after all!
The Loser
Thursday in Hay is Market Day. The Market Square is closed and stalls overspill into the area beside and opposite the Clock Tower on Lion Street/Broad Street.
There is a small ‘gray’ area (or so it is marked on the town car parking orders map) of four spaces just North of the clock tower. Hay Chamber of Commerce has erected a small sign declaring ‘No Parking’ on Thursdays for the markey, but otherwise these spaces are unadorned by any Council parking restriction notice. Something of an anomaly in the town centre.
The winners
Yesterday, Tuesday afternoon, two coaches bearing tourists arrived in Hay. Just what the town needs, visitors keen to spend their money and enjoy everything this unique town has to offer.
The only problem was that the annual May Fair was in town. The May Fair is an event redolent in history. It has long been held in Hay, indeed once it was an annual hiring fair when shepherds, milk maids and farm workers from far and wide sought masters and mistresses to employ them for the next year.
No longer held in Broad Street and Oxford Street, today’s May Fair pitches its rides, tents, caravans and dodgem cars in half the town centre car park and provides fun and frolics for people who gather from all round the area. Hay, Brecon, Llandrindod, Builth all take their turn to host the Fair - Long may it last!
The only problem was that no-one had told the coach drivers about the fair and so when they arrived – there was nowhere to park!
Never say that coach drivers aren’t enterprising; leaving their patient passengers to await them, the drivers went to the Tourist Office to find out what should be done. The Tourist Office staff, masters of initiative, rang the County Council for advice.
Wonder of wonders, the man/woman (?) at the council (we await to find out who is was!) told the drivers to park on Oxford Road, despite the double yellow lines, and he/she would speak to the wardens in the town and instruct them to ‘turn a blind eye’.
Thanks Powys, for showing some common sense. Perhaps it isn’t really ‘incumbent’ on you to enforce the letter of the law after all!
The Loser
Thursday in Hay is Market Day. The Market Square is closed and stalls overspill into the area beside and opposite the Clock Tower on Lion Street/Broad Street.
There is a small ‘gray’ area (or so it is marked on the town car parking orders map) of four spaces just North of the clock tower. Hay Chamber of Commerce has erected a small sign declaring ‘No Parking’ on Thursdays for the markey, but otherwise these spaces are unadorned by any Council parking restriction notice. Something of an anomaly in the town centre.
(Interestingly, similar Chamber of Commerce notices are displayed on the restricted parking area that runs from the market area onto Broad Street. Do these overide the Council enforced parking restrictions?)
Anyway, on Thursday last, a motorist, either in hope or ignorance, parked in one of these spaces – and lo and behold, became the less than pleased recipient of a traffic warden (CEO) issued black and yellow Powys parking ticket, (PCN. let's use the acronyms) apparently for the offence of ‘parking in a restricted bay’.
This one bears watching! Is there a parking order on that space? Does the Council have the authority to issue a ticket to a car parked there for the reason given?
Truly a gray area! We await the outcome of the victim’s appeal with some interest.
Anyway, on Thursday last, a motorist, either in hope or ignorance, parked in one of these spaces – and lo and behold, became the less than pleased recipient of a traffic warden (CEO) issued black and yellow Powys parking ticket, (PCN. let's use the acronyms) apparently for the offence of ‘parking in a restricted bay’.
This one bears watching! Is there a parking order on that space? Does the Council have the authority to issue a ticket to a car parked there for the reason given?
Truly a gray area! We await the outcome of the victim’s appeal with some interest.
“Let the Tourists have their Breakfast”
Wise Words from Brecon Tourist Office
There are two things about which there are by far the greatest number of complaints received in Brecon Tourist Information Centre - Parking and Toilet facilities.
I don’t think that CRAP can do much about toilet facilities, but we welcome the timely comments made about parking and the interesting suggestions made.
Our informant suggests that some changes to car parking charges would be welcomed by both traders and visitors to Brecon. “The way the current charges are worked just doesn't help tourism in Brecon. I don't know about the rest of Powys”
“In an ideal world parking would be free for visitors but I know that a lot of the car parks would then become full with people leaving their cars long term.”
The problem for many visitors is that if they are staying for a few days they have to keep visiting the car park to renew their ticket. Even if just staying overnight, they must get up before 8am to buy a ticket to avoid getting booked.
“My suggestion is to introduce a new system of charging in two areas.”
1. Introduce a ticket charge that would go through the night until 10.30am the following morning. This would allow the people who stay in Brecon for one night to have their breakfast without panicking about getting booked for parking.
2. Introduce a weekly car parking charge. This would allow visitors to come and go as they please without worrying about getting booked.
The suggestion is that if it proves too difficult to convert the existing ticket machines to handle the new charges, parking vouchers, produced by the Council could be sold to local hotels and B & Bs which they in turn would sell at cost to visitors. These timed and dated vouchers would then allow parking and override usual car park charges.
(CRAP comment) The system is simple and already proven; many local authorities already operate similar schemes.
The Council would derive income from the sale of vouchers and our visitors would be happy. “I think that visitors would be happy to pay the charges - they are more concerned with getting booked!”
Thank you Brecon; please keep your comments coming in. Remember all comments and practical ideas are welcome.
Remember our e-mail address is: crap-powys@mail.com
There are two things about which there are by far the greatest number of complaints received in Brecon Tourist Information Centre - Parking and Toilet facilities.
I don’t think that CRAP can do much about toilet facilities, but we welcome the timely comments made about parking and the interesting suggestions made.
Our informant suggests that some changes to car parking charges would be welcomed by both traders and visitors to Brecon. “The way the current charges are worked just doesn't help tourism in Brecon. I don't know about the rest of Powys”
“In an ideal world parking would be free for visitors but I know that a lot of the car parks would then become full with people leaving their cars long term.”
The problem for many visitors is that if they are staying for a few days they have to keep visiting the car park to renew their ticket. Even if just staying overnight, they must get up before 8am to buy a ticket to avoid getting booked.
“My suggestion is to introduce a new system of charging in two areas.”
1. Introduce a ticket charge that would go through the night until 10.30am the following morning. This would allow the people who stay in Brecon for one night to have their breakfast without panicking about getting booked for parking.
2. Introduce a weekly car parking charge. This would allow visitors to come and go as they please without worrying about getting booked.
The suggestion is that if it proves too difficult to convert the existing ticket machines to handle the new charges, parking vouchers, produced by the Council could be sold to local hotels and B & Bs which they in turn would sell at cost to visitors. These timed and dated vouchers would then allow parking and override usual car park charges.
(CRAP comment) The system is simple and already proven; many local authorities already operate similar schemes.
The Council would derive income from the sale of vouchers and our visitors would be happy. “I think that visitors would be happy to pay the charges - they are more concerned with getting booked!”
Thank you Brecon; please keep your comments coming in. Remember all comments and practical ideas are welcome.
Remember our e-mail address is: crap-powys@mail.com
Tuesday 17 May 2011
The lady who came to shop in Hay
Hear the one about the young lady who came to Hay to do some shopping?
No? Well, last week a young lady from out of town came to Hay to spend some of her hard earned money in the shops in Hay. Not surprising really, in Hay there are over thirty book shops, an antiques market and several antique shops, numerous ladies’ fashion shops, a number of galleries and gift shops, at least a dozen cafes, pubs and restaurants and almost too many other temptations to mention.
Anyway, this young lady, being a law abiding citizen, went to park her car in the town centre car park, only to find it was full!
She drove up and down the rows to no avail, until at last, spying two Powys County Council vans with their two traffic warden (sorry Civil Enforcement Officer) occupants leaning on their bonnets and having a good old chin wag, she thought. “I know, I’ll park on the end of one of the rows of cars, close to the wardens’ vans, buy a ticket and go off and do my shopping.”
Two hours later, several carrier bags heavier and several pounds lighter, this good lady returned to her car only to espy a black and yellow ticket on her windscreen. The two friendly wardens (sorry CEOs) conscientious of their bounden duty had duly booked her for illegal parking.
“But I thought the wardens would have said something to me if I was parking illegally, they were standing just where I parked!.” “Aren’t they there to help, not just to issue tickets?”
Result - two happy Powys employees who have done their bit to add to the council’s coffers; and one very unhappy and rather poorer visitor.
Guess who won’t be coming back to Hay in a hurry?
Oh yes, she has complained to the council – let’s see with what result!
No? Well, last week a young lady from out of town came to Hay to spend some of her hard earned money in the shops in Hay. Not surprising really, in Hay there are over thirty book shops, an antiques market and several antique shops, numerous ladies’ fashion shops, a number of galleries and gift shops, at least a dozen cafes, pubs and restaurants and almost too many other temptations to mention.
Anyway, this young lady, being a law abiding citizen, went to park her car in the town centre car park, only to find it was full!
She drove up and down the rows to no avail, until at last, spying two Powys County Council vans with their two traffic warden (sorry Civil Enforcement Officer) occupants leaning on their bonnets and having a good old chin wag, she thought. “I know, I’ll park on the end of one of the rows of cars, close to the wardens’ vans, buy a ticket and go off and do my shopping.”
Two hours later, several carrier bags heavier and several pounds lighter, this good lady returned to her car only to espy a black and yellow ticket on her windscreen. The two friendly wardens (sorry CEOs) conscientious of their bounden duty had duly booked her for illegal parking.
“But I thought the wardens would have said something to me if I was parking illegally, they were standing just where I parked!.” “Aren’t they there to help, not just to issue tickets?”
Result - two happy Powys employees who have done their bit to add to the council’s coffers; and one very unhappy and rather poorer visitor.
Guess who won’t be coming back to Hay in a hurry?
Oh yes, she has complained to the council – let’s see with what result!
Mary Portas - Shopping Guru
On Sunday evening, a relatively quiet time for the town, one of us thought it an idea to count all the private vehicles parked in the Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs) in Hay. The plan was to get some sort of idea how many vehicles could be affected if restricted parking was enforced in those areas.
True, some of the cars would not be in the town during a normal working day, but on the other hand, many of the restricted zones are to be enforced seven days a week.
In any event we found 87 cars parked, presumably overnight. This was hardly a scientific survey but undertaken merely to get some idea of the number of residents' cars that owners residing in the town centre need to park. We calculate (speculate?) that 87 cars represents some two thirds of cars owned by potentially affected residents - say 120 in total.
120 cars forced to park in the Oxford Road, town centre car park will have a considerable effect on available parking spaces for visitors - and co-incidentally create very useful income for the council.
In passing, Mary Portas, interviewed on Radio 4 in the Today programme this morning and who has been appointed to look into, and make recommendations for the revival of town centre shopping, made the comment that lack of parking was a major factor in dissuading people from shopping in towns, instead driving them into using out-of-town shopping centres.
She commented that there are now 15% of town centre shops empty, and the numbers are growing. Thankfully, there are to my knowledge no vacant shops in Hay-on-Wye. Long may it stay that way!
Vacant shops mean less income from business rates for the council and a less attractive shopping environment. Powys County Council, were you listening?
True, some of the cars would not be in the town during a normal working day, but on the other hand, many of the restricted zones are to be enforced seven days a week.
In any event we found 87 cars parked, presumably overnight. This was hardly a scientific survey but undertaken merely to get some idea of the number of residents' cars that owners residing in the town centre need to park. We calculate (speculate?) that 87 cars represents some two thirds of cars owned by potentially affected residents - say 120 in total.
120 cars forced to park in the Oxford Road, town centre car park will have a considerable effect on available parking spaces for visitors - and co-incidentally create very useful income for the council.
In passing, Mary Portas, interviewed on Radio 4 in the Today programme this morning and who has been appointed to look into, and make recommendations for the revival of town centre shopping, made the comment that lack of parking was a major factor in dissuading people from shopping in towns, instead driving them into using out-of-town shopping centres.
She commented that there are now 15% of town centre shops empty, and the numbers are growing. Thankfully, there are to my knowledge no vacant shops in Hay-on-Wye. Long may it stay that way!
Vacant shops mean less income from business rates for the council and a less attractive shopping environment. Powys County Council, were you listening?
Sunday 15 May 2011
Apply to Powys for a Parking Permit
The impressive seal on the last page of the OrderApply NOW for a Resident’s Parking Permit
A massive tome, gloriously entitled (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading and Parking Places) (Civil Enforcement and Consolidation) Order 2011, came into my possession on Friday. I didn’t ask for it but the Council, in their wisdom sent it to me as part of a mass of unasked for information instead of the ‘plan showing restricted parking zones within Hay-on-Wye together with the appropriate Parking Orders’ I had submitted a Freedom of Information Request for on 7th April.
The document proved interesting if rather tedious reading and among the mass of information provided was the fact that this Order, which came into effect of April 1st is seemingly, that which empowered Powys County Council to take over Parking Enforcement from Dyfed-Powys Police. This order is now law. I quote “The interpretation Act 1978 shall apply to the interpretation of this Order as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament and as if for the purposes of Section 21 of that Act this Order were an Act of Parliament and the Orders revoked by this Order were Act of Parliament thereby repealed.”
The Order does seem to determine that any resident has the right to request a Parking Permit to allow on-street parking in a defined area. Again I quote SECTION 3 item 58. “A Parking Permit for Specific Parking Places will be issued by the Council in such form and subject to such conditions as may be agreed from time to time by the Council.”
SECTION 4. – CONDITIONS AS TO PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES Item 79. A Parking Permit or Dispensation Certificate shall only be valid for use in a Parking Place on a road as identified on the Parking Permit and specified on the Plans.
Item 80. Any Resident who is the Owner of a vehicle of the class specified may apply to the Council for the issue of a Parking Permit in respect of that vehicle and any such application shall be made on a form issued by and obtainable from the Council and shall include the particulars and information required by such form to be supplied.
I am no lawyer but I believe it is my, and every other resident in Powys right, to apply for a Parking Permit to allow the resident to park adjacent to or close to their residence in what is otherwise a restricted parking zone.
If the Council will not issue me with a Parking Permit, I shall apply for a “Dispensation Certificate” ‘issued on or behalf of the Council under the provisions of this Order permitting a specified vehicle to Park in specified circumstances in a Parking Place, where the Parking of that vehicle would otherwise be restricted or prohibited.’
Again I quote from the Order
Exemptions for vehicles displaying a valid Dispensation Certificate
Section 3 Item 76. ‘Notwithstanding for forgoing provisions of the Order any vehicle displaying in the Relevant Position a valid Dispensation Certificate issued by the Council may be parked:
without payment of a Daily Charge or time limit during the Permitted Hours in any part of a Parking Place if the use of that part has not been suspended, or
A massive tome, gloriously entitled (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading and Parking Places) (Civil Enforcement and Consolidation) Order 2011, came into my possession on Friday. I didn’t ask for it but the Council, in their wisdom sent it to me as part of a mass of unasked for information instead of the ‘plan showing restricted parking zones within Hay-on-Wye together with the appropriate Parking Orders’ I had submitted a Freedom of Information Request for on 7th April.
The document proved interesting if rather tedious reading and among the mass of information provided was the fact that this Order, which came into effect of April 1st is seemingly, that which empowered Powys County Council to take over Parking Enforcement from Dyfed-Powys Police. This order is now law. I quote “The interpretation Act 1978 shall apply to the interpretation of this Order as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament and as if for the purposes of Section 21 of that Act this Order were an Act of Parliament and the Orders revoked by this Order were Act of Parliament thereby repealed.”
The Order does seem to determine that any resident has the right to request a Parking Permit to allow on-street parking in a defined area. Again I quote SECTION 3 item 58. “A Parking Permit for Specific Parking Places will be issued by the Council in such form and subject to such conditions as may be agreed from time to time by the Council.”
SECTION 4. – CONDITIONS AS TO PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES Item 79. A Parking Permit or Dispensation Certificate shall only be valid for use in a Parking Place on a road as identified on the Parking Permit and specified on the Plans.
Item 80. Any Resident who is the Owner of a vehicle of the class specified may apply to the Council for the issue of a Parking Permit in respect of that vehicle and any such application shall be made on a form issued by and obtainable from the Council and shall include the particulars and information required by such form to be supplied.
I am no lawyer but I believe it is my, and every other resident in Powys right, to apply for a Parking Permit to allow the resident to park adjacent to or close to their residence in what is otherwise a restricted parking zone.
If the Council will not issue me with a Parking Permit, I shall apply for a “Dispensation Certificate” ‘issued on or behalf of the Council under the provisions of this Order permitting a specified vehicle to Park in specified circumstances in a Parking Place, where the Parking of that vehicle would otherwise be restricted or prohibited.’
Again I quote from the Order
Exemptions for vehicles displaying a valid Dispensation Certificate
Section 3 Item 76. ‘Notwithstanding for forgoing provisions of the Order any vehicle displaying in the Relevant Position a valid Dispensation Certificate issued by the Council may be parked:
without payment of a Daily Charge or time limit during the Permitted Hours in any part of a Parking Place if the use of that part has not been suspended, or
in any part of a Parking Place the use of which has been suspended:
PROVIDED THAT the vehicle is Parked in accordance with the terms and conditions of the said Dispensation Certificate.’
APPLICATION FOR A PARKING PERMIT
Herewith the e-mail I have today forwarded to Mr Steve Holdaway Powys County Council Officer responsible for Transport Management and Policy, and Car Parks. I have copied the e-mail to Cllr Geraint Hopkins, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport and Jeremy Peterson CEO of Powys County Council.
Dear Mr Holdaway
Please be kind enough to forward to me at this address a Resident’s Parking Permit application form as determined under Section 4 item 80. of the (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading and Parking Places) (Civil Enforcement and Consolidation) Order 2011 which came into force on April 1st 2011 and revoked all Orders or Schedules or Plans made prior to this Order.
I am a Resident who is the owner of a vehicle of the class specified and therefore apply to the Council for the issue of a Parking Permit in respect of that vehicle. I understand that any such application shall be made on a form issued by and obtainable from the Council and shall include the particulars and information required by such form to be supplied.
Yours truly,
PROVIDED THAT the vehicle is Parked in accordance with the terms and conditions of the said Dispensation Certificate.’
APPLICATION FOR A PARKING PERMIT
Herewith the e-mail I have today forwarded to Mr Steve Holdaway Powys County Council Officer responsible for Transport Management and Policy, and Car Parks. I have copied the e-mail to Cllr Geraint Hopkins, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport and Jeremy Peterson CEO of Powys County Council.
Dear Mr Holdaway
Please be kind enough to forward to me at this address a Resident’s Parking Permit application form as determined under Section 4 item 80. of the (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting and Loading and Parking Places) (Civil Enforcement and Consolidation) Order 2011 which came into force on April 1st 2011 and revoked all Orders or Schedules or Plans made prior to this Order.
I am a Resident who is the owner of a vehicle of the class specified and therefore apply to the Council for the issue of a Parking Permit in respect of that vehicle. I understand that any such application shall be made on a form issued by and obtainable from the Council and shall include the particulars and information required by such form to be supplied.
Yours truly,
Mr Holdaway’s e-mail address is steve.holdaway@powys.gov.uk
Councillor Geraint Hopkins’ e-mail address is cllr.geraint.hopkins@powys.gov.uk
Jeremy Patterson’s e-mail address is Jeremy.patterson@powys.gov.uk
Saturday 14 May 2011
What to do if you get a parking ticket (PCN)
Should you be the unfortunate recipient of a parking ticket, (PCN or Penalty Charge Notice) issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer, (CEO) more commonly known as a parking warden, it is most important that you act speedily.
You can skip the next part, which is rather boring and is provided only as background.
The Penalty Charge Notice, (PCN) any Notice to Owner (NtO) or Charge Certificate (CC) subsequently issued are bi-lingual and have been prepared by the Wales Penalty Processing Partnership (WPPP) in compliance with the Code of Practice for Civil Parking and Traffic Enforcement (CPTE) and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT).
You can skip the next part, which is rather boring and is provided only as background.
The Penalty Charge Notice, (PCN) any Notice to Owner (NtO) or Charge Certificate (CC) subsequently issued are bi-lingual and have been prepared by the Wales Penalty Processing Partnership (WPPP) in compliance with the Code of Practice for Civil Parking and Traffic Enforcement (CPTE) and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT).
First and foremost, the standard format PCN is no longer issued by the police, but only by a properly uniformed CEO. The offence committed, if any, is now a civil offence and not a criminal offence and will be treated accordingly.
The PCN will list the penalty charge as being either £50 or £70 dependent upon the offence claimed. Full instructions, in both English and Welsh will be detailed on the notice, but these, taken from Powys County Council Adoption of Civil Parking Enforcement report (B244-2010) are briefly summarised below.
The charge level will be halved to either £25 or £35 if paid within 14 days. If an ‘informal appeal or challenge’ is lodged, and subsequently rejected, the ‘Council will re-offer the discount period of 14 days.’
If the penalty is not paid before the end of the 14 day period, either after its original issue, or the rejection of an appeal, a Notice to Owner (NtO) will be issued and the ‘penalty will be at the original charge level.’
If the penalty remains unpaid and the Council issue a subsequent Charge Certificate, (CC) the original penalty will be increased by half to either £75 or £105.
Appeals - Formal Appeals & Informal Appeals
All appeals are handled by ‘enforcement authority staff’. Formal appeals will ‘only be received and dealt with by post or e-mail.’ The process for making an informal appeal is not defined but ‘The Wales Penalty Processing Partnership will respond in writing to informal representations within agreed timescales. The amount payable will be frozen until a response has been sent, at which time the original discount and the timeline for payment of the PCN will be reset.’
The PCN will list the penalty charge as being either £50 or £70 dependent upon the offence claimed. Full instructions, in both English and Welsh will be detailed on the notice, but these, taken from Powys County Council Adoption of Civil Parking Enforcement report (B244-2010) are briefly summarised below.
The charge level will be halved to either £25 or £35 if paid within 14 days. If an ‘informal appeal or challenge’ is lodged, and subsequently rejected, the ‘Council will re-offer the discount period of 14 days.’
If the penalty is not paid before the end of the 14 day period, either after its original issue, or the rejection of an appeal, a Notice to Owner (NtO) will be issued and the ‘penalty will be at the original charge level.’
If the penalty remains unpaid and the Council issue a subsequent Charge Certificate, (CC) the original penalty will be increased by half to either £75 or £105.
Appeals - Formal Appeals & Informal Appeals
All appeals are handled by ‘enforcement authority staff’. Formal appeals will ‘only be received and dealt with by post or e-mail.’ The process for making an informal appeal is not defined but ‘The Wales Penalty Processing Partnership will respond in writing to informal representations within agreed timescales. The amount payable will be frozen until a response has been sent, at which time the original discount and the timeline for payment of the PCN will be reset.’
(I would surmise that if you protest to the parking warden (CEO) about the issue of the ticket and use the words that you "appeal" against the issue of the ticket (PCN) then that should suffice as an 'informal appeal' and your penalty frozen as above. - I am not a lawyer, but merely offering a layman's opinion!)
Adjudication
Civil enforcement will be undertaken by the Council using the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. (TPT) service. ‘Subject to agreement, the Council will work with the TPT to have hearings take place whenever requested by an appellant. Access to an adjudicator will be arranged’ and a hearing held at ‘an appropriate local venue.’
It is worth noting that two Powys Councillors, Cllr Geraint Hopkins, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Local & Environmental Services and largely responsible for introducing Civil Parking Enforcement to Powys, and Cllr Ken Harris, Portfolio Holder for Waste & Sustainability have been nominated as TraCC Board members to be representatives to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. (Don’t even ask what TraCC stands for!)
SUMMARY
If you receive a PCN you must either pay it within 14 days or appeal against it, either formally or informally. Whatever the grounds of your appeal, your 14 days grace before the full sum become payable is extended until your appeal is either accepted or rejected.
If your appeal is rejected you are given a further 14 days to pay after which the full sum becomes payable. If you decide to pay, do so speedily before a Charge Certificate is issued and the penalty increased by half.
I would never suggest it, but wouldn’t it be interesting if every recipient of a PCN appealed against it? The whole system would probably come to a grinding halt!
There are numerous websites offering free and impartial advice as to how to appeal a PCN.
Friday 13 May 2011
Freedom of (mis)Information Application
WANTED a map of Restricted Parking Zones in Hay. Such a simple request!
I’ve been trying since the meeting at Hay Primary School on 24th March to get hold of a map of where the restricted parking zones are in the town and the restrictions that apply within those zones – to no avail!
I had hoped the map would show not only the Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs, yet another council acronym!) but through a process of elimination, all those areas within the town where no restrictions apply and on-street parking is therefore permitted.
You would think it simple, but in fact no such map can be found in the town. The council office (while we still have one) doesn’t hold a copy and nor does the library; surely a simple matter to get the map from the council.
After numerous frustrating ‘phone calls; first to Gareth Lloyd, Car Parking Manger at Powys County Council (PCC) Llandrindod Wells; then Peter Lewis, Car Parks Manager, Brecon; I finally spoke to Joshua Harris at PCC's Legal Department who promised to forward the map and associated orders to me.
Unfortunately, it soon transpired that the information could only be supplied if I paid for it as the map had (at some stage) been displayed in Llandrindod Wells and Brecon, and whilst it had not been displayed in Hay, nor was it currently available there; I could only see it if I paid for the privilege.
On 7th April, I applied for the map and associated parking orders through a Freedom of Information request to Powys County Council.
Whoopee! Today, only thirty six days after my application, I received a bulky envelope from Powys County Council stating that enclosed was the information I had requested. Unfortunately it didn’t! The enclosures were legal documents concerning only off-street parking in Hay with detailed maps of the Market Square and Oxford Street Car Parks! As a bonus, I also received a bound copy of the 1st April 2011 Powys Civil Enforcement and Consolidation Order.
Interesting to relate, Section 4 of this Order is six pages of information regarding Residents’ Parking Permits. This document, whilst not that which was requested, warrants further reading!
(Ironically, the only other letter received in the same post was one from PCN (Penalty Charge Notice or 'parking ticket' for uninitiated!) Processing, Camden Council in London notifying me of the successful outcome of my appeal against a parking ticket (sorry PCN) issued to me on my visit to London for the recent Virgin Marathon!)
Thankfully Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe, a fellow CRAP campaigner, used his influence to secure a copy of the map I requested, and delivered a copy to me this afternoon. Thank you Gareth you’re a star.
Tomorrow Gareth and I propose to walk the streets of Hay, map in hand to look at all the RPZs in detail, and at 1:30 along with several local residents and traders, will be meeting the press and a photographer under the clock tower!
The price of fame!
I’ve been trying since the meeting at Hay Primary School on 24th March to get hold of a map of where the restricted parking zones are in the town and the restrictions that apply within those zones – to no avail!
I had hoped the map would show not only the Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs, yet another council acronym!) but through a process of elimination, all those areas within the town where no restrictions apply and on-street parking is therefore permitted.
You would think it simple, but in fact no such map can be found in the town. The council office (while we still have one) doesn’t hold a copy and nor does the library; surely a simple matter to get the map from the council.
After numerous frustrating ‘phone calls; first to Gareth Lloyd, Car Parking Manger at Powys County Council (PCC) Llandrindod Wells; then Peter Lewis, Car Parks Manager, Brecon; I finally spoke to Joshua Harris at PCC's Legal Department who promised to forward the map and associated orders to me.
Unfortunately, it soon transpired that the information could only be supplied if I paid for it as the map had (at some stage) been displayed in Llandrindod Wells and Brecon, and whilst it had not been displayed in Hay, nor was it currently available there; I could only see it if I paid for the privilege.
On 7th April, I applied for the map and associated parking orders through a Freedom of Information request to Powys County Council.
Whoopee! Today, only thirty six days after my application, I received a bulky envelope from Powys County Council stating that enclosed was the information I had requested. Unfortunately it didn’t! The enclosures were legal documents concerning only off-street parking in Hay with detailed maps of the Market Square and Oxford Street Car Parks! As a bonus, I also received a bound copy of the 1st April 2011 Powys Civil Enforcement and Consolidation Order.
Interesting to relate, Section 4 of this Order is six pages of information regarding Residents’ Parking Permits. This document, whilst not that which was requested, warrants further reading!
(Ironically, the only other letter received in the same post was one from PCN (Penalty Charge Notice or 'parking ticket' for uninitiated!) Processing, Camden Council in London notifying me of the successful outcome of my appeal against a parking ticket (sorry PCN) issued to me on my visit to London for the recent Virgin Marathon!)
Thankfully Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe, a fellow CRAP campaigner, used his influence to secure a copy of the map I requested, and delivered a copy to me this afternoon. Thank you Gareth you’re a star.
Tomorrow Gareth and I propose to walk the streets of Hay, map in hand to look at all the RPZs in detail, and at 1:30 along with several local residents and traders, will be meeting the press and a photographer under the clock tower!
The price of fame!
Blogger.com out of action
Sorry about the last few days but blogger.com has been out of action.
Hope to catch up over the next few days with lots of news. Keep watching.
Hope to catch up over the next few days with lots of news. Keep watching.
Wednesday 11 May 2011
A Typical Saturday in Hay Car Park
This is Hay Car park at midday on a typical Saturday in April.
Can you see any spaces? We can't!
Just think what it will be like when some fifty residents are driven off the streets and into the Car Park. It'll be just great for businesses in the town!
Letter to Steve Holdaway Powys Council officer responsible for parking
Dear Mr Holdaway
I write to you, as Powys County Council officer responsible for Transport Management and Policy, and Car Parks, in the hope you will be able to provide some practical advice. I have copied this email to Cllr. Geraint Hopkins, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport and Jeremy Patterson CEO of Powys County Council.
I hope you are aware of the Campaign for a Responsible Approach to Parking (CRAP) we have started in Hay and which has received support from residents, traders and politicians throughout Powys.
We have also started a petition www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/crap asking to bring forward preparatory work on a county wide review of traffic management and residents’ parking schemes to September 2011 so that the full review can be completed before the Council elections and when the current moratorium on spending ends in April 2012.
At the same time, we have started a blog http://crap-powys.blogspot.com as a forum for residents, traders and visitors to Powys to air their views about the contentious issue of parking. This email and your answer, along with other correspondence will appear on that blog.
On Monday evening I attended a meeting of Hay Town Council as parking was to be one of the subjects discussed. Two matters arose regarding your area of responsibility and I am sure your response to them will be of interest to residents
First, Dyfed-Powys’ community police officer revealed that there remains some confusion about the division of different parking infringements and offences between the council and the police. It seems that whilst the police have surrendered most of their responsibilities, some remain and it seems that enquiries to both the police and the council have been given conflicting information. It would be very helpful to know the exact parameters of the different areas of responsibility.
Second, a number of councillors expressed considerable concern about the effect of the council’s new parking enforcement powers during the Hay Festival. In past years police have tolerated residents parking in restricted waiting zones, provided they cause no obstruction or nuisance. Should the council enforce current parking restrictions, considerable trouble and cost will be caused to those who live in streets where time restricted parking applies. If all affected residents park in the town centre car park, it will result in a loss of some fifty places in what is an already overcrowded facility. There are already insufficient unrestricted parking spaces in Hay and the police policy of enforcing additional coned no parking in the area will exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Would it be useful for us to print a number of stickers identifying cars belonging to local residents in the hope that CEOs will exercise some discretion; or if this is not an option, what practical advice can you give that we can pass on to the residents of Hay who are likely to be affected during the period of the festival?
I write to you, as Powys County Council officer responsible for Transport Management and Policy, and Car Parks, in the hope you will be able to provide some practical advice. I have copied this email to Cllr. Geraint Hopkins, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport and Jeremy Patterson CEO of Powys County Council.
I hope you are aware of the Campaign for a Responsible Approach to Parking (CRAP) we have started in Hay and which has received support from residents, traders and politicians throughout Powys.
We have also started a petition www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/crap asking to bring forward preparatory work on a county wide review of traffic management and residents’ parking schemes to September 2011 so that the full review can be completed before the Council elections and when the current moratorium on spending ends in April 2012.
At the same time, we have started a blog http://crap-powys.blogspot.com as a forum for residents, traders and visitors to Powys to air their views about the contentious issue of parking. This email and your answer, along with other correspondence will appear on that blog.
On Monday evening I attended a meeting of Hay Town Council as parking was to be one of the subjects discussed. Two matters arose regarding your area of responsibility and I am sure your response to them will be of interest to residents
First, Dyfed-Powys’ community police officer revealed that there remains some confusion about the division of different parking infringements and offences between the council and the police. It seems that whilst the police have surrendered most of their responsibilities, some remain and it seems that enquiries to both the police and the council have been given conflicting information. It would be very helpful to know the exact parameters of the different areas of responsibility.
Second, a number of councillors expressed considerable concern about the effect of the council’s new parking enforcement powers during the Hay Festival. In past years police have tolerated residents parking in restricted waiting zones, provided they cause no obstruction or nuisance. Should the council enforce current parking restrictions, considerable trouble and cost will be caused to those who live in streets where time restricted parking applies. If all affected residents park in the town centre car park, it will result in a loss of some fifty places in what is an already overcrowded facility. There are already insufficient unrestricted parking spaces in Hay and the police policy of enforcing additional coned no parking in the area will exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Would it be useful for us to print a number of stickers identifying cars belonging to local residents in the hope that CEOs will exercise some discretion; or if this is not an option, what practical advice can you give that we can pass on to the residents of Hay who are likely to be affected during the period of the festival?
Keep it Local - James Gibson-Watt
An email from James Gibson-Watt in reaction to our call to publicise our petition.
Dear all,
Although the idea of a petition is OK, the problem is that we do not need a county-wide review of traffic management and residents' parking schemes, as there are no residents' parking schemes anywhere in Powys (other than small off-street residents' parking areas in a few places) and the only place where there is consistent high parking pressure is Hay-on-Wye.
We need a review focused on Hay immediately and no tightening of enforcement until a residents' scheme is in place. Visitors and residents in Hay are furious about this and we need action now, not starting in September after the tourist season is finished. It should be straightforward for the County Council to adopt a common-sense approach until a residents scheme is in place, since the ground work for that scheme was done about 5 years ago when I was Hay's county councillor.
James Gibson-Watt
Dear all,
Although the idea of a petition is OK, the problem is that we do not need a county-wide review of traffic management and residents' parking schemes, as there are no residents' parking schemes anywhere in Powys (other than small off-street residents' parking areas in a few places) and the only place where there is consistent high parking pressure is Hay-on-Wye.
We need a review focused on Hay immediately and no tightening of enforcement until a residents' scheme is in place. Visitors and residents in Hay are furious about this and we need action now, not starting in September after the tourist season is finished. It should be straightforward for the County Council to adopt a common-sense approach until a residents scheme is in place, since the ground work for that scheme was done about 5 years ago when I was Hay's county councillor.
James Gibson-Watt
Sunday 8 May 2011
Now the Council Save Money, Now they Don't
Extracts from the Brecon and Radnor Express
April 2011
With the make-up of Powys' political face set to change later this month, when the council changes from a ruling board of 15 to a cabinet executive, the local authority has earmarked a saving of almost £50,000.
But instead of saving that or investing it in areas such as schools and social care, members voted at a full council meeting at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells on Thursday, April 28, to put that money towards increased councillor allowances.
The increase means Old Radnor councillor Michael Jones - who is currently the leader of the board and expected to be the leader of the new cabinet - will see his yearly income rise from £16,292 to £24,092 next month, while the other nine new cabinet members are set to benefit from just short of an extra £4,000. The 14 other members of the current 15 member board receive a special responsibility allowance of £9,775 per year but the nine members of the new executive are set to receive £13,675.
The cabinet is drawn from the Powys Administration, a coalition between the Powys Independent Alliance (PIA) and its Liberal Democrat junior partners.
This means that every one of Powys' 73 county councillors will not receive a rise in their basic allowance, which stands at £11,925 per year.
And this is the council who have a moratorium on spending - seemingly except on themselves!
April 2011
With the make-up of Powys' political face set to change later this month, when the council changes from a ruling board of 15 to a cabinet executive, the local authority has earmarked a saving of almost £50,000.
But instead of saving that or investing it in areas such as schools and social care, members voted at a full council meeting at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells on Thursday, April 28, to put that money towards increased councillor allowances.
The increase means Old Radnor councillor Michael Jones - who is currently the leader of the board and expected to be the leader of the new cabinet - will see his yearly income rise from £16,292 to £24,092 next month, while the other nine new cabinet members are set to benefit from just short of an extra £4,000. The 14 other members of the current 15 member board receive a special responsibility allowance of £9,775 per year but the nine members of the new executive are set to receive £13,675.
The cabinet is drawn from the Powys Administration, a coalition between the Powys Independent Alliance (PIA) and its Liberal Democrat junior partners.
This means that every one of Powys' 73 county councillors will not receive a rise in their basic allowance, which stands at £11,925 per year.
And this is the council who have a moratorium on spending - seemingly except on themselves!
Parking Enforcement "will rip the heart out of Hay"
Article from the Hereford Times dated Thursday, May 5th 2011
by Jess Childs (jess.childs@herefordtimes.com)
A NEW pressure group has formed in Hay-on-Wye after Powys County Council said controversial parking regulations needed a year to "settle down" before any change could come.
Locals say 10 new county-wide civil enforcement officers are threatening tourism and that stricter regulations will force visitors from over-subscribed mail car parks into residential areas, or away from the town altogether.
Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe asked the council for a full review of residents' parking at a meeting last Thursday but was told a related policy did not currently exist.
"As a community we are powerless until this policy is in place," Coun Ratcliffe said, "But if we wait 12 months it will rip the heart out of Hay." Instead locals were encouraged to pinpoint problem spots with the town council ahead of a countywide review scheduled to begin in April 2012.
Interim measures to help residents and visitors park more easily were also ruled out because of cost.
The outcome has caused anger among householders who have already distributed 150 leaflets following claims the scheme was more about making money than safety after experts said it could raise £20,000 a year, a claim denied by highway officers.
Campaigner Nicholas Hankinson said locals had "happily lived with the sensible local police enforcement" until April.
He said "We shall collect thoughts and suggestions about resolving the parking problems in hay from as many people as possible over the next few months, and have established the Campaign for a Responsible Approach to Parking to focus attention on the issues involved."
by Jess Childs (jess.childs@herefordtimes.com)
A NEW pressure group has formed in Hay-on-Wye after Powys County Council said controversial parking regulations needed a year to "settle down" before any change could come.
Locals say 10 new county-wide civil enforcement officers are threatening tourism and that stricter regulations will force visitors from over-subscribed mail car parks into residential areas, or away from the town altogether.
Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe asked the council for a full review of residents' parking at a meeting last Thursday but was told a related policy did not currently exist.
"As a community we are powerless until this policy is in place," Coun Ratcliffe said, "But if we wait 12 months it will rip the heart out of Hay." Instead locals were encouraged to pinpoint problem spots with the town council ahead of a countywide review scheduled to begin in April 2012.
Interim measures to help residents and visitors park more easily were also ruled out because of cost.
The outcome has caused anger among householders who have already distributed 150 leaflets following claims the scheme was more about making money than safety after experts said it could raise £20,000 a year, a claim denied by highway officers.
Campaigner Nicholas Hankinson said locals had "happily lived with the sensible local police enforcement" until April.
He said "We shall collect thoughts and suggestions about resolving the parking problems in hay from as many people as possible over the next few months, and have established the Campaign for a Responsible Approach to Parking to focus attention on the issues involved."
Tuesday 3 May 2011
New start for a new blog
Booked in the Town of Books
In an obvious effort to encourage commerce and tourism, Powys County Council, recently successful in their application to take over Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) from Dyfed-Powys Police, have recruited ten new Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) to police parking throughout the county.
Residents of Hay-on-Wye, ‘the town of books’, an attractive and historic town situated right on the border with England and famous for its thirty book shops, are fearful that the real reason behind the new enforcement proposals is to further the council’s Strategy Objectives of ‘restraining car use’ and ‘achieving a reduction in overall traffic’. Hay, thirty miles from motorway access and twenty miles from the nearest railway station is heavily reliant on tourism
Denizens of this small border town of 1600 people view this coming month with trepidation. The forthcoming May Fair will take over half the already inadequate town centre car park and it is anticipated the Hay Literary Festival will attract some 200,000 visitors. Particularly feared is the prospect of residents competing with visitors crowding their cars into the town’s few unrestricted parking streets or being forced the few metres across the border into England where no traffic restrictions apply.
So determined are cash strapped Powys County Council to pursue their policy of Civil Parking Enforcement, that despite vociferous local opposition and the pleas of local politicians for a residents’ parking policy, they have spent over £19,000 on consultants to advise on implementing the scheme which will generate a ‘modest’ £20,000 p.a. surplus revenue ‘from on-street penalty charges’.
Officers responsible for introducing this Kafkaesque policy are confident that it will prove so unsuccessful in discouraging irregular parking, that resulting fines and fees will be sufficient to meet all its costs, and raise the anticipated excess!
Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams and Kirsty Williams past Assembly member and Liberal Democrat candidate in the forthcoming Assemble election, stated that 'the county council should not enforce the restrictions more tightly ‘without a thorough review of parking restrictions’; Conservative AM candidate Chris Davies is ‘completely against the proposals’ by Powys County Council and Gary Price, Plaid Cymru AM candidate believes and it ‘was unfortunate that the scheme had been introduced with little consultation’.
Despite this cross party condemnation, and local councillor Gareth Ratcliff’s vociferous support for a halt to the ill advised scheme, Powys County Council is determined to pursue the new parking enforcement policy. Officers have stated that whilst the police were able to use discretion, it is incumbent upon the council to enforce their newly secured powers vigorously.
Hay locals, who have happily lived with sensible local police enforcement of largely outdated parking restrictions in the town, are sufficiently incensed by the lack of consultation and repercussions of enforcement of these potentially draconian and largely unnecessary measures and the council’s statement that because of budget restrictions no changes can be considered for at least a year; that a Campaign for a Responsible Approach to Parking has been started in an attempt to make the council see sense.
So the best advice from CRAP is that if you plan to visit Hay in the near future, keep your eyes peeled for the newly appointed and smartly uniformed CEOs enforcing Powys’s new CPE and watch out where you park!
In an obvious effort to encourage commerce and tourism, Powys County Council, recently successful in their application to take over Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) from Dyfed-Powys Police, have recruited ten new Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) to police parking throughout the county.
Residents of Hay-on-Wye, ‘the town of books’, an attractive and historic town situated right on the border with England and famous for its thirty book shops, are fearful that the real reason behind the new enforcement proposals is to further the council’s Strategy Objectives of ‘restraining car use’ and ‘achieving a reduction in overall traffic’. Hay, thirty miles from motorway access and twenty miles from the nearest railway station is heavily reliant on tourism
Denizens of this small border town of 1600 people view this coming month with trepidation. The forthcoming May Fair will take over half the already inadequate town centre car park and it is anticipated the Hay Literary Festival will attract some 200,000 visitors. Particularly feared is the prospect of residents competing with visitors crowding their cars into the town’s few unrestricted parking streets or being forced the few metres across the border into England where no traffic restrictions apply.
So determined are cash strapped Powys County Council to pursue their policy of Civil Parking Enforcement, that despite vociferous local opposition and the pleas of local politicians for a residents’ parking policy, they have spent over £19,000 on consultants to advise on implementing the scheme which will generate a ‘modest’ £20,000 p.a. surplus revenue ‘from on-street penalty charges’.
Officers responsible for introducing this Kafkaesque policy are confident that it will prove so unsuccessful in discouraging irregular parking, that resulting fines and fees will be sufficient to meet all its costs, and raise the anticipated excess!
Liberal Democrat MP Roger Williams and Kirsty Williams past Assembly member and Liberal Democrat candidate in the forthcoming Assemble election, stated that 'the county council should not enforce the restrictions more tightly ‘without a thorough review of parking restrictions’; Conservative AM candidate Chris Davies is ‘completely against the proposals’ by Powys County Council and Gary Price, Plaid Cymru AM candidate believes and it ‘was unfortunate that the scheme had been introduced with little consultation’.
Despite this cross party condemnation, and local councillor Gareth Ratcliff’s vociferous support for a halt to the ill advised scheme, Powys County Council is determined to pursue the new parking enforcement policy. Officers have stated that whilst the police were able to use discretion, it is incumbent upon the council to enforce their newly secured powers vigorously.
Hay locals, who have happily lived with sensible local police enforcement of largely outdated parking restrictions in the town, are sufficiently incensed by the lack of consultation and repercussions of enforcement of these potentially draconian and largely unnecessary measures and the council’s statement that because of budget restrictions no changes can be considered for at least a year; that a Campaign for a Responsible Approach to Parking has been started in an attempt to make the council see sense.
So the best advice from CRAP is that if you plan to visit Hay in the near future, keep your eyes peeled for the newly appointed and smartly uniformed CEOs enforcing Powys’s new CPE and watch out where you park!
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