Parking in Pembrokeshire
Civil Enforcement Report 2021-22
Parking Provision in Pembrokeshire
Performance Delivery & Statistics
Future Development & Initiatives
Appendix 1: Resident and Shared Parking Schemes
Introduction
By Councillor Rhys Sinnett
Cabinet Spokesperson for Residents' Services
This is the 11th annual parking report which we have published, in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Management Act 2004. Its aim is to provide information about how Pembrokeshire County Council delivers its parking enforcement and associated services.
Over the last 12 months we have seen an increase in usage following COVID period and as we head into recovery.
The 'staycation' across the UK has resulted in additional demand for parking across Pembrokeshire with coastal zones having seen particular high demand.
There has also been a step increase in Motorhomes / Camper vans visiting the county which has resulted in discussions in relation to future management of this sector and 'Aires' style provision.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Parking Section for the way they supported the COVID recovery in 2021 with additional pressures this placed on our staff teams and management
We continue to ensure that the enforcement of parking restrictions in our county is transparent, consistent and fair. Pembrokeshire County Council recognises that openness and accountability is critical to gaining and maintaining public support and by publishing our Annual Parking Report, we hope that our customers will be aware of our dedication to improving the parking regime for residents, businesses, and visitors.
As always, we continue to review our service delivery and Sections 8 and 9 set out our key objectives and updates.
Parking Services also integrate with other key strategic projects we, as an authority, are delivering. I am pleased to see we are now progressing with a new Transport Interchange in Haverfordwest to commence around mid-2022.
If you have any questions or comments regarding our Parking Annual Report, please let us know by telephoning on 01437 764551 or emailing us at parking@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.
Strategy & Policy
Background
The Strategic Vision of the Council emphasises the promotion of an attractive, clean and healthy environment and the Regional Transport Plan gives recognition that traffic management plays an important part in ensuring safe, effective and rational use of the highway.
Charging Policy
- The need to encourage retail trade;
- The need to manage traffic, including on-street parking and traffic flows;
- The need to manage demand effectively;
- The nature of parking location and its users, i.e. urban shopper/business, residential, rural town shopper, beach/visitor;
- Comparison with other providers in the locality;
- The need to encourage the use of more sustainable forms of transport, including public transport;
- Charges are not set purely in order to derive income;
- Have regard to the overall revenue budget provision (expenditure and income) for car parks;
- A presumption in favour of improvements being funded by increased tariff.
These principles are applied consistently, which results in different charges from place to place.
Demand Management
Car parking charges have been considered on a location by location basis. Car parking charges in Pembrokeshire are set to encourage shoppers and are likely to require short-stay spaces. Where car parking is subject to high demand and/or limited capacity, then parking periods and tariffs are carefully set to optimise turnover.
Parking Provision in Pembrokeshire
Off Street
The Authority manages car parks to provide for both short stay and long stay users. Charges apply in accordance with Council Policy.
Disabled provision is in accordance with the guidance issued by DfT.
On Street
The Authority provides on street parking facilities on the adopted public highway where it is considered appropriate to do so without undue interference with moving traffic. It makes provision for limited waiting, disabled, loading, taxi, motor cycles and residents.
It has developed robust and fair practices to manage the kerb side to cater for the competing demands of the various users. No restrictions have been implemented that do not have a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to support them.
Our Services
Off Street Parking
The Council has both charging and non-charging car parks; details can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) website. PCC has 94 car parks, of which 36 are Pay and Display. 21 have charges applying all year round and 15 seasonal charges.
Between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022 the following were issued
- 317 Season permits
- 85 Reserved bay permits
- 159 Tenby Harbour permits
A minimum of 6% of spaces have been set aside for Blue Badge holders. The Council waived charges on certain days in December in the lead up to Christmas in all charging car parks through the County.
On Street
There are currently 1037 limited waiting spaces, 133 disabled spaces, 33 Taxi spaces, 3 Bus bays, 27 bays for Loading / Goods unloading bays, 1 ambulance bay and 1 motorcycle bay. Within the overall spaces, there remain 636 spaces for Resident / Business Permit Holders.
Resident parking
Resident Parking Schemes have been introduced, where practicable, on a number of streets/locations across the County. There are currently 57 schemes in operation (full list on Appendix 1). All schemes on the public highway are operated under the same regulations, one permit per property to a specific vehicle. Permits are valid for a period of up to 12 months. The cost of a permit is £40.00. Visitor permits are available for periods of up to 7 days at a cost of £40.00, again one per property to a specific vehicle. Proof of occupancy, valid insurance and an MOT certificate must be provided.A non-highway scheme is operated in Tenby Harbour where one permit is issued to each property but is not vehicle specific
There were 881 annual permits issued between 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022 and 98 visitor permits.
Parking Dispensations
The Council does allow, in certain circumstances, the issue of a Dispensation, which enables a vehicle to park lawfully in contravention of a TRO. It may also suspend parking places for the purposes of reserving those places for particular vehicles and/or applicants.
Dispensations will be issued by way of a temporary permit containing the details of the event, the vehicle registration, together with the date and time of use. The permit must be clearly displayed on the front windscreen of the approved vehicle.
261 dispensations were issued 1st April 2021 - 31st March 2022
Civil Parking Enforcement
Parking and Streetcare Teams
Combining the management and enforcement of both on and off street parking provides considerable operational and community benefits. In April 2013, the Parking Services team and Streetcare team were combined under one operational manager. Both sections still have their own remit, however, the benefits of this combined service includes:
- Co-ordinated enforcement and control of on and off street parking
- Co-ordinated enforcement of all highway related issues
- Co-ordination of activities on the highway network
- Management and co-ordination of events affecting on and off street activities
- Co-ordination of third party works on the highway
- Managing all licensed activities on and off street
- More effective implementation of policies
Full cost recovery
When considering car parking charges reference is made to legal advice that states income should be applied strictly in accordance with S. 55 & S.122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“RTRA 1984”). If after making good, any sums due to the council fund and the cost of the provision and maintenance of off street parking there may be a surplus, the Act says such sums may be used for specified purposes. There is no right to use any surplus for general purposes and/ or to cross subsidise any other services. Furthermore, case-law suggests that it would be unlawful to budget for a surplus and revenue raising for other transport purposes (even if permitted under S 55 of the RTRA1984) as this would not be permitted under the current legislation. Any proposed increases must be reasonable in all respects.
Income from Off Street parking places, in line with regulations, does support the provision of Toilet facilities that are within the parking places
Running CPE
Pembrokeshire currently employs 13 Civil Enforcement Officers, 2 Technical Clerks, 1 Parking Services & Streetcare Officer and 2 Parking Services Officers; they are all supported by the Streetcare and Parking Services Manager. They do not receive any performance related bonuses or incentives.
Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s) are issued to vehicles which park in contravention of the restrictions. If a motorist wishes to dispute a PCN, they must follow the appeal process, which is detailed on the rear of the PCN.
Having operated CPE since 1st February 2011, Parking Services staff have built up a comprehensive understanding of where and when indiscriminate parking occurs. However, when members of the public are experiencing particular parking problems, they can report them to the office.
The Parking Services team are also responsible for the management of all car parks, Pay & Display machines, financial matters, Resident Permits, Car Park Season and Reserved Permits, Parking Dispensations and Car Park License Agreements for events and compounds.
The Back Office - Wales Penalty Processing Partnership (WPPP)
The WPPP back office continues to be used to process the issued PCN’s.
There are quarterly meetings, an officer working group, with representatives from each Partner Authority to discuss operational consistency, shares best practice and strives for continual efficiency savings.
Enforcement in Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks Off-Street Parking Places
We continue to undertake Civil Enforcement on the Pembrokeshire Coast National Parks (PCNP) off Street parking places. The figures in item 6.0 include any Penalty Charge Notices issued in the PCNP off street parking places
Enforcement Agents
The Council currently uses the services of four Enforcement Agents to recover debts, Excel, Proserve, Swift and A J Enforcement. All have considerable experience in this work and provide similar services to other WPPP partners as well as our SWWITCH partners Carmarthenshire County Council, City & County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
Performance Delivery & Statistics
Statistical Performance
The tables below show statistics relating to PCN’s issued during the period 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022.
PCN's Progression of Cases
Description |
PCN's issued |
% |
|---|---|---|
| Number of PCN’s issued on street | 7028 | 66% |
| Number of PCN’s issued off street | 3656 | 34% |
| Number of PCN’s paid at discount rate | 7442 | 69% |
| Number of PCN’s paid after 14 days | 1443 | 14.4% |
| Number of PCN’s not paid | 596 | 5.6% |
| Number of PCN’s cancelled (see table 6.5) | 1223 | 11% |
| Total Number of PCN’s issued | 10675 | 100% |
On Street Parking Contraventions
Code |
Description |
PCN's issued |
% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours | 2056 | 19.3% |
| 02 | Parked or loading/unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading restrictions are in force | 95 | 0.9% |
| 05 | Parked after the expiry of paid for time | 1 | 0% |
| 06 | Parked without clearly displaying a valid pay and display ticket or voucher | 3 | 0% |
| 12 | Parked in a residents or shared use parking place without clearly displaying a permit issued for that place | 1975 | 18.5% |
| 16 | Parked in a permit space without displaying a valid permit | 7 | 0.06% |
| 20 | Parked in a loading gap marked by a yellow line | 1 | 0% |
| 21 | Parked in a suspended bay or part of a bay | 47 | 0.44% |
| 23 | Parked in a parking place not designated for that class of vehicle | 233 | 2.2% |
| 24 | Not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space | 21 | 0.2% |
| 25 | Parked in a loading place during restricted hours without loading | 64 | 0.6% |
| 26 | Vehicle parked more than 50cms from edge of carriageway and not within designated parking place | 6 | 0.05% |
| 27 | Parked adjacent to a dropped footway | 283 | 2.6% |
| 30 | Parked for longer than permitted | 1600 | 15% |
| 35 | Parked in a disc parking place without clearly displaying a valid disc | 1 | 0% |
| 40 | Parked in a designated disabled person parking place without clearly displaying a valid disabled persons badge | 505 | 4.7% |
| 45 | Stopped on a taxi rank | 64 | 0.6% |
| 46 | Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway) | 1 | 0% |
| 47 | Stopped in a restricted bus stop or stand | 30 | 0.3% |
| 48 | Stopped in a restricted area outside a school when prohibited | 3 | 0% |
| 49 | Parked wholly or partly on a cycle track | 4 | 0% |
| 55 | A commerical vehicle parked in a restricted street in contravention of the Overnight Waiting Ban | 4 | 0% |
| 99 | Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or area marked by zig zags | 17 | 0.15% |
Off Street Parking Contraventions
Code |
Description |
PCN's issued |
% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | Parked without payment of the parking charge | 2 | 0% |
| 74 | Using a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or offering or exposing for sale goods when prohibited | 15 | 0.15% |
| 80 | Parking for longer than the maximum period permitted | 42 | 0.4% |
| 81 | Parked in a restricted area in a car park | 15 | 0.14% |
| 82 | Parked after the expiry of paid for time | 324 | 3% |
| 83 | Parked in a car park without clearly displaying a valid pay and display ticket or voucher or parking clock | 2319 | 21.7% |
| 84 | Parked with additional payment made to extend the stay beyond time first purchased | 1 | 0% |
| 85 | Parked in a permit bay without displaying a valid permit | 229 | 2.1% |
| 86 | Parked beyond the bay markings | 246 | 2.3% |
| 87 | Parked in a disabled persons parking space without clearly displaying a valid disabled persons badge | 154 | 1.4% |
| 91 | Parked in a car park not designated for that class of vehicle | 175 | 1.6% |
| 92 | Parked causing an obstruction | 2 | 0% |
| 93 | Parked in car park when closed | 1 | 0% |
| 94 | Parked in a pay and display car park without displaying two valid pay and display tickets when required | 0 | 0% |
| 95 | Parked in a parking place for a purpose other than the designated purpose of the parking place. | 119 | 2% |
PCN's Cancelled
- No of PCN's cancelled as a result of formal representations - Challenge Accepted: 713 (6.7%)
- Number of PCN’s cancelled for other reasons (e.g. owner untraceable, CEO error, DVLA unable to provide details): 510 (4.8%)
- Total cancelled: 1223 (11.4%)
Comparision
- Number of PCN issued: 6078 (2020-21) 10675 (2021-22)
- Number of PCN’s on street: 3762 (2020-21) 7028 (2021-22)
- Number of PCN’s off street: 2316 (2020-21) 3656 (2021-22)
- Number of PCN’s cancelled: 610 (2020-21) 1223 (2021-22)
Adjudications decisions made at Traffic Penalty Tribunal
- Total number: 7 (2020-21) 4 (2021-22)
- Consent: - (2020-21) 1 (2021-22)
- Appeal dismissed: 4 (2020-21) 1 (62.5%) (2020-21)
- Appeal accepted: 2 (2020-21) 1 (37.5%) (2020-21)
- No contest: 1 (2020-21) 1 (2020-21)
Financial Information
Financial account
Income and expenditure financial data governed by Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 is presented below:
Income |
2020/21 |
2021-22 |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Parking Permits (Includes Resident and Visitor) | £48,189 | £42,755 |
| Parking Dispensations | £6,255 | £7,975 |
| Penalty Charges | £437,939 | £337,642 |
| Contributions others LAs | £7,600 | £18,521 |
| Total Income | £499,983 | £406,893 |
Expenditure |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Costs | £218,412 | £288,260 |
| Premises | £49,619 | £27,580 |
| Goods & Services | £6,078 | £12,834 |
| Support & Management | £159,752 | £142,052 |
| Other Payments | £44,057 | £62,790 |
| Capital Charges | £0 | £0 |
| Total Expenditure | £477,918 | £533,516 |
| (Surplus) / Deficit | -£22,064 | £126,623 |
Note: 2020/21 figures amended 1st October 2022
The financial information provided for this report does not include the off-street activity not governed by the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984.
Update on 2020/21 Initiatives
Initiative
Review ANPR Mobile camera for Enforcement
Progress
The use of ANPR was approved by Cabinet
Initiative
Progress with delivery for the new Haverfordwest Interchange
Progress
This is progressing with plans to start on site March 2022
Initiative
Roll out cashless payment options at Pay and Display machines
Progress
Ongoing – Network issues have caused a delay in going totally cashless – cashless options now offered across the county
Initiative
Continue with rolling out EV charging points in our car parks
Progress
Additional sites now added
Initiative
Introduce Pay by Phone option for parking sessions
Progress
Pay by Phone option rolled out March 2021
Initiative
Manage “Staycation” demand
Progress
Multi agency approach was set up and demand was managed. 2021 was a recovery year and demand needs to be monitored in 2022
Initiative
Manage full cost recovery for Parking services
Progress
See Cabinet report dated 10th March 2020 – link in Item 5.2 above
Initiative
Review Motorhome Provision
Progress
Ongoing discussion over Motorhome provision in relation to overnight camping
Initiative
Review Off Street orders in Line with authorities strategic Vison
Progress
Ongoing - Revoking the order for the following completed - Former Library and Swimming Pool site at Dew Street, Cherry Grove
Future Development & Initiatives
In 2022/23 a number of initiatives will be considered, either following on from last year’s activity and issues arising or new initiatives, as follows:
- Review current Off Street Parking Charges
- Progress with ANPR for enforcement
- Deliver the Haverfordwest Interchange
- Explore options for Motorhome overnight parking
- Undertake Traffic review in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven
- Further review on full cost recovery in line with regulations
- Review Off Street Orders in line with the authorities strategic vision
Appendix 1: Resident and Shared Parking Schemes
Broad Haven
- Marine Road -west side
Dale
- U6006 Dale Fort Road - east side
Fishguard
- Fishguard
- Wallis Street –east side
- Coronation Avenue
Haverfordwest
- Bush Row -east side
- Albany Terrace - parking area
- Cambrian Place - east Side
- Cartlett -north side
- Castle Town Area
- North Street - west side
- North Street -east side
- Holloway -north side
- Queens Square - central area
- Crowhill -east side
- Merlins Hill –north side
- Hill Street
- North Crescent - west side
- Winch Crescent - south side
Milford Haven
- Milford Haven
- Robert Street - north and south side
Neyland
- Neyland
- Neyland Hill -south side
Pembroke
- Woodbine Terrace - south side
Pembroke Dock
- Apley Terrace - south side
- Bush Street - north and south side
- Church Street – west and east side
- Gordon Street - west side
- Gwyther Street -west and east side
- Laws Street - west and east side
- Lewis Street – west and east side
- Pembroke Street - west and east side
- Upper Laws Street - west and east side
- Upper Meyrick Street - west and east side
Tenby
- Augustus Place (serving Nos. 1-10) & (serving Nos. 11-18)
- Clareston Road - west and south side
- Culver Park –west and east side
- Greenhill Avenue –west and east side
- Weston Terrace -west side
- Harding Street –north and south side
- Harries Street -west side
- Heywood Court -west side
- Heywood Court - Nos. 74-85 north side Nos.48-64 south side
- Lower Frog Street -east side
- Park Place -north and south side
- Edward Street -south east side
- Park Terrace - south east side
- Penally Road - east side
- Picton Road - west and east side
- Picton Terrace - west side
- Queens Parade -west side
- South Cliff Street -north side
- St Florence Parade - east side
- St Johns Hill -north side
- St Julian’s Street -north west side
- Sutton Street - east side
- The Croft - east side
- The Norton -east side
- The Paragon - south side
- Trafalgar Road - north west and south east side
- Victoria Street - west and east side
- Warren Street - south side
Shared Use Bay (Limited Waiting 1 hour, no return within 1 hour, Mon-Sat 8am-6pm / Permit holders)
Pembroke Dock
Meyrick Street -west side
Shared Use Bay (Limited Waiting 1 hour, no return within 1 hour 8am – 6pm / Permit holders)
Haverfordwest
Holloway - north side
North Street -east side
Queens Square -central area
St Davids
New Street –east side