Welsh Government delays consultation on pavement parking to focus on 20mph speed limits

The Welsh government has delayed the consultation on legislation to ban pavement parking until next year.

The decision has been made to allow local authorities to focus on the implementation of default 20mph speed limits in September this year.

Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, reconvened the Wales Pavement Parking Taskforce last year to explore other ways of achieving the government’s policy aims for pavement parking.

While the taskforce had previously rejected an outright ban on pavement parking, which the Scottish government is planning to implement, it recommended that the Welsh government consult widely before introducing legislation by the end of 2023.

However, Mr Waters acknowledged that local authorities are already under immense pressure to provide essential services during an “incredibly busy period” and has decided to postpone the consultation until next year.

“I want to put on record my thanks to all local government elected members and staff for the critical work that they do for communities, people, and businesses across Wales,” Waters said in his statement.

In a written to Mr Waters said: “I recognise that we are asking a lot of hard-pressed local authorities at what continues to be a difficult time. ”

“I have listened to the feedback from leaders and decided to delay the consultation on pavement parking until next year. ”

“This will enable local authorities to focus on the implementation and introduction of default 20mph speed limits in September 2023 and the work to prepare for bus franchising.”

The Deputy Minister said: “This is an incredibly busy period for local government. Councils across Wales continue to deliver vitally important services, which people rely on every day and we continue to support them to do so.”

“We have worked closely with, and supported local authorities, through the tough times of austerity, through floods, through the pandemic, and through the cost-of-living crisis.” 

“I want to put on record my thanks to all local government elected members and staff for the critical work that they do for communities, people, and businesses across Wales.”