Locked Out in Pembrokeshire: The Real Cost of Parking Restrictions and Overzealous Enforcement

Jamie Barnikel
May 23
3 min read

The heart is being squeezed out of the high street.

Pembrokeshire is renowned for its breathtaking coastlines, tight-knit communities, and welcoming town centers. But in recent years, a different kind of conversation has been unfolding — one not about tourism or local produce, but about tickets, traffic wardens, and the creeping sense that the heart is being squeezed out of the high street.

Across Haverfordwest, Tenby, Milford Haven, and smaller market towns, residents are voicing their frustration at what they see as an aggressive clampdown on parking — and a total lack of understanding from local authorities when it comes to the real-life impact, especially for those with disabilities.

“I dread coming into town now.” – Bethan Lewis, Haverfordwest

Bethan, a full-time carer for her mother who uses a wheelchair, recalls being issued a fine last October after parking in a disabled bay outside a pharmacy.

“I had the Blue Badge clearly displayed. We were there no more than 20 minutes, but the sign wasn’t visible due to a tree branch. When I appealed, they said ‘signage is the driver’s responsibility’. I burst into tears. I wasn’t trying to get away with anything — I was picking up her medication.”

Bethan says she now avoids the town centre whenever possible.

“It’s not just the £70 — it’s the feeling that people like us aren’t welcome. That we’re an inconvenience to be fined and moved along.”

“It’s killing business.” – Dafydd James, butcher in Narberth

Dafydd has run his family’s butcher shop for over 25 years. He’s watched footfall decline steadily since new parking restrictions and extended warden patrols were introduced in 2022.

“We’ve had long-time customers stop coming. One man got ticketed while helping his wife, who walks with a frame, out of the car. He was parked for three minutes. Three minutes! And the warden wouldn’t hear a word of it.”

He adds:

“I don’t blame the wardens — they’re doing what they’re told. But it feels like the council is more interested in catching people out than helping them come in.”

“There’s no logic to it.” – Morgan Thomas, wheelchair user from Fishguard

Morgan has lived in Fishguard all his life and is an active member of a local disability support group. He says he’s been ticketed twice in 2023, despite both incidents occurring while parked legally under his Blue Badge.

“Once I was five minutes over because I had to wait for my lift — taxis won’t come right away out here. The second time, the space was marked incorrectly and the sign had worn off.”

When he tried to appeal:

“I got the standard letter. No investigation, just a form rejection. It’s exhausting.”

Morgan notes that the council often talks about “accessibility improvements,” but the reality feels far removed:

“We get glossy leaflets and polished promises, but you try finding a truly accessible bay near a GP surgery during flu season. It’s a joke.”

“It’s making the town less human.” – Siân Evans, mother of two, Tenby

Siân’s concerns go beyond accessibility. For her, the issue is about community.

“We’re not asking for chaos, just for some common sense. A grace period. A bit of discretion. Parking is now more stressful than helpful.”

She says local authorities need to rethink their strategy:

“We’re not London. We’re a coastal community with pensioners, families, carers. You can’t run a place like Pembrokeshire by copying big city policies.”

Where Is the Planning?

A recurring theme in all these stories is the absence of thoughtful planning. Despite Pembrokeshire County Council’s stated commitment to accessibility and local economy support, residents say consultations are rare, signage is poor, and enforcement is inflexible.

Many question why there is no working group dedicated to mobility access or why local business forums aren’t properly consulted before parking policies are revised.

“It feels like they’re managing from spreadsheets, not the street,” says Dafydd.

What Needs to Change

Locals aren't asking for lawlessness. They want fairness, accessibility, and a little humanity. Residents interviewed across Pembrokeshire consistently call for: