Failing Commitment to Residents Needs

Telford and Wrekin Council: A Failing Commitment to Residents Needs


Proof of councils lacking in protect, care and invest to make a better borough.

Communications between local campaigners and Telford & Wrekin Council have been mired by lack of responses, accountability, and other shortcomings have resulted in the Labour led council being referring to the Information Commissioner.

The most recent display of these traits by Telford and Wrekin Council has been regarding parking bay dimensions, and has raised critical questions about the council's commitment to addressing the needs of its residents, particularly concerning the increasing size of electric vehicles (EV's), and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).


Lack of Information on Parking Bay Dimensions

Information about the standardised dimensions of parking bays, specifically whether they meet the required standards of 2.4 meters by 4.8 meters for cars in council carparks. The council's response was alarming: they claimed to have no recorded information to provide. Really, the council Highways Department has no idea if their parking bays meet minimum required sizes? 

This lack of transparency is troubling, especially given the importance of accessible parking for residents with mobility challenges. The absence of data on parking bay dimensions not only reflects poorly on the council's operational efficiency but also raises concerns about public safety and accessibility standards.

Failure to Address Increasing Vehicle Sizes

As vehicle sizes continue to grow, particularly with the rise of EVs and WAVs, the need for adequate parking facilities becomes more pressing. 

The council also received inquires about any plans to increase parking bay sizes to accommodate these larger vehicles. Again, the council's response was a blanket statement of having no recorded information. 

This indicates a concerning lack of foresight and planning by the council, which should be proactively considering how to adapt public infrastructure and policies to meet evolving needs.

Dispensation Policies for "Oversized" Vehicles?

The issue of parking fines for oversized vehicles, particularly larger EV's and WAV's, is another area where the council's responses fell short. 

Information was requested on existing policies regarding dispensations for non-commercial vehicles that exceed standard parking bay dimensions. The council's inability to provide any information on this matter suggests a significant gap in policy that unfairly penalizes users of WAVs, who may find themselves at risik of receiving Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) simply for needing a larger space.

Parking Fine Enforcement

The enforcement of parking fines, particularly for disabled parking spaces, has been a contentious issue. Recent reports indicate that Telford & Wrekin Council issued 793 fines for illegal parking in disabled spaces in 2024, down from 866 in 2023. 

In total, parking fines brought in £202,235 in the 2024/2025 financial year, down from £213,304.

While this reduction might suggest improved public awareness, it also raises questions about the council's commitment to ensuring that parking regulations are fair and just. 

The council's deputy leader, Cllr Richard Overton (Lab) has emphasised his commitment to safeguarding disabled parking bays, yet the lack of clear policies regarding oversized vehicles undermines this stated commitment!

The council's enforcement policy, which includes issuing fines of £70 or £50 depending on the severity of the contravention, does not account for the unique challenges faced by WAVs and other larger vehicles. 

The absence of a clear definition of what constitutes "exceeding bay sizes", and the Highways Department not knowing how big their own carpark bays are, further complicates the enforcement landscape, leaving many drivers vulnerable to fines without clear justification.

A Call for Accountability

The responses from Telford & Wrekin Council highlight a troubling trend of insufficient communication and a lack of proactive policy-making. As vehicle sizes continue to evolve, the council must prioritise the development of clear, accessible policies that accommodate all residents, particularly those with disabilities. The failure to provide adequate information and the absence of a coherent plan for addressing the needs of larger vehicles reflect poorly on the Labour-led council's governance.

The residents of Telford and Wrekin deserve a council that not only listens to their concerns but also acts proactively and decisively to address them.

#Parking #PCN 

#telfordlabour #wrekinlabour #TelfordDeservesBetter #WrekinDeservesBetter

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