Drivers who stopped for a matter of minutes to use parcel lockers in a pub car park in Llanishen, Cardiff, have been issued parking charges, prompting complaints from local residents and intervention from councillors. The notices, commonly known as Parking Charge Notices, have caused alarm among those affected and raised questions about the conduct of the private company operating the car park.
What happened
People who parked outside the Church Inn in Llanishen to access parcel lockers say they were handed charges after staying for only a short period. Some complained the system left little room for briefly stopping to post or collect items.
Local councillors report multiple cases. Councillor Bethan Proctor said up to 20 people had been affected and that many felt they had been treated unfairly. She warned there were likely to be more recipients who would simply pay to avoid further hassle.
"People are shocked and upset and feel like they have been treated unfairly,"
Among the incidents highlighted by those appealing was a pair of locker users who received charges after stops lasting just two minutes and five seconds and three minutes and seven seconds respectively. One local, Sion Davies, said he was fined after being on site for two minutes to post a parcel.
Response from the parking contractor
New Generation Parking Management, which runs the car park on behalf of the site operator, has defended its actions. The company said charges were not issued “unfairly or without reason” and that drivers were entitled to a 10-minute grace period. It maintains its enforcement was appropriate in the cases examined.
The presence of the lockers in the car park has now been altered: operators have reportedly switched the lockers off while the dispute continues.
Local reaction and wider implications
Councillors have called for a broader discussion about the use of private parking enforcement firms and the clarity of signage where parcel lockers are sited. Those penalised said the instructions for users were unclear and that a short, explicit grace period should be visible for anyone stopping briefly to use the lockers.
- Number affected: up to 20 people reported to councillors
- Typical charge: £100 initially, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days
- Claimed grace period: 10 minutes, according to the contractor
| Detail | Reported example |
|---|---|
| Short stop durations | 2:05 and 3:07 (minutes:seconds) |
| Initial penalty | £100 |
| Reduced penalty (within 14 days) | £60 |
The Reverend Canon Gareth Rayner-Williams is among those who received a notice and has been in contact with others who were penalised. Councillor Proctor said recipients felt "really threatened" by receiving the letters and called for clearer standards around enforcement.
What residents should know
For anyone using parcel lockers in privately run car parks in Cardiff: keep evidence of the time you arrived and departed, and check any on-site signage carefully. If you believe a charge has been wrongly issued, follow the appeals process set out on the Parking Charge Notice and seek advice from your local councillor or citizens advice if needed.
The case in Llanishen underlines the tensions that can arise when private contractors enforce restrictions in spaces that the public perceive as serving short-term, legitimate needs. Councillors are calling for a review of practices and clearer information at the site to prevent further disputes.
