A POLICE crackdown on unauthorised parking in Carmarthen’s Old Town has been welcomed by local businesses.
As The Herald has previously reported, there have been issues with drivers parking in Nott Square for decades, and new Chair of the town’s Chamber of Commerce Nathan Carroll recently wrote to the Leader of CCC to discuss the matter.
While solutions have been trialled in the past, including placing large planters in an attempt to deter illegal parking, they have met with limited degrees of success.
However, on Thursday (Sept 13) police officers began issuing drivers with £30 fixed penalty notices, with six cars ticketed on the first day.
All vehicles parked in the areas and not unloading goods will face a £30 fine for parking in a pedestrianised area.
Inspector Dominic Jones said: “We would ask that members of the public and business owners do not park in Nott Square. This could cause an obstruction and delay emergency vehicles from attending incidents in the town centre. Police officers are actively patrolling the area and will ticket cars or ask drivers to move on.”
The power to book or move vehicles parked in this area currently lies with Dyfed-Powys Police, but an application has been made to the Welsh Government for Carmarthenshire Council to be given this authority.
Mr Carroll said that traders he had spoken to welcomed the police presence. “When they are there to clear it, it’s been very good. They have been moving vehicles on, which is great,” he commented.
“There are still a few issues, but all in all things have improved.
However, he added that traders would like to see a permanent solution, like a removable bollard to allow access for deliveries.
“It’s not perfect, there is still a long way to go – obviously police don’t have the resources to stop every car there,” he remarked, pointing out that the parking problems had been on the Chamber of Commerce agenda for around four decades worth of meetings.
“However, it seems that the latest actions have been positive – and we are hopefully moving to a stage where we don’t have to discuss it anymore,” he added. “We want Nott Square to be more pedestrian-friendly.”
County councillors for the ward Alun Lenny and Gareth John explained that they were ‘very aware’ of the ‘chaotic situation in the town’s two main squares’.
“Only delivery vehicles are allowed to enter Nott Square from the King Street direction, and the constant stream of cars who ignore the road traffic sign outside the Nat West bank are committing a moving traffic offence,” Cllr John explained.
“However, vehicles with business in Quay Street are allowed to exit via the square and Queen Street. Parked cars are an obstruction to visibility of moving traffic and a clear hazard to children, in particular. Unfortunately, council Enforcement Officers (Traffic Wardens) don’t have the powers at present to issue fixed penalty notices to these motorists.
“Guildhall Square only has one entrance/exit – being at the top of Blue Street. Signs also clearly show that vehicles are only allowed to enter the square to unload. Cars parked in the Square have therefore already committed an offence.”
Noting that they had been ‘pressing hard’ for a legal solution to the situation, Cllr Lenny added that a meeting had been held on Monday (Sept 17) convened by Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths and Chaired by Town Mayor Cllr Emlyn Schiavone, with the police and senior Town and County Council officials.
“The County Council has prepared a legal case requesting that its Enforcement Officers should be empowered to issue penalty notices (i.e. parking tickets) to cars parked on both squares. This has to be approved by Welsh Government. We expect a reply this autumn,” he added.
“The County Council will also use a mobile camera, using numberplate recognition technology, to identify illegally parked cars. This will also be used on other sites in the county.
“In the meantime, the police have been warning motorists in the first instance, and are now issuing £50 fixed penalties. This is done with regret, but it does penalise motorists who’ve broken the law. We’re also pleased that Police Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has arranged for a police office to be opened in Hall Street, which joins the two squares. This means that police officers and PCSOs will be ‘on the ground’ to monitor the situation.
“This has been a long running sore and a source of frustration for us as local members. Planters were placed on Nott Square to deter inconsiderate parking. Unfortunately, they were the target of vandalism. We sincerely hope that the Welsh Government grants the delegated powers as soon as possible so that this dangerous and unsightly problem can be firmly dealt with.”
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