5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport: Tackling Pavement Parking

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:40 pm on 13 October 2020.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 5:40, 13 October 2020

Well, this is a problem that's blighted my community in Aberconwy right from when I was a town councillor, to county councillor, to where I am now, and I've been here—as Llyr corrected me earlier—nearly 10 years. So, I really welcome your statement. It's quite sad to see people—. We have an older demographic in Aberconwy and it really is sad when—. You tend to think kerb parking, parking on the kerb—no. You see whole cars, very often, half a car's width, and I have to say, sometimes, when bushes are overgrown as well, there has been absolutely no consideration whatsoever for the person struggling to access that pavement. I notice that across Wales, 80 per cent have little confidence that the local authority or the police can do anything.

I know, in my own situation, I've got a brilliant local authority, but there does become this buck-passing, so a definitive—. But, what I would say to you is that our local authorities are very, very stretched at the moment, so I will be looking for additional resources to back this up, because statements are all well and good, Deputy Minister, but I do believe that, if you're going to give them the job to do to enforce the fines—I like the idea of Helen Mary where it could actually become a stream of revenue, but to begin with, there are the actual setting-up costs. So, I'd like to see some considerations there.

And finally, what I would like to ask—. Dropped pavements are a huge concern as well in my constituency, so whilst you're putting guidance out there and instructions to local authorities, will you please have some concern for those who are in buggies or wheelchairs or zimmers—you know, the little roll-along zimmers—and make sure that we can have more dropped kerbs, as well? So, let's get this right.

And finally, my final—