Residents warned of potential imprisonment for using parking cones

Residents of a street have been informed they could face nearly a year in prison for reserving parking spaces with cones. Ceredigion council issued letters to residents of Maes yr Afon, located near Aberystwyth town centre, stating that the use of cones might constitute “an unnecessary obstruction of the highway.” Mair Benjamin, 79, a town councillor residing on the street, explained her need to park close to her residence due to health considerations. The council suggested that residents instead purchase a seasonal ticket for a nearby car park. Ms Benjamin has utilized cones since the start of the year to prevent drivers from parking outside her home. She remarked that the “large” pay and display car park was empty, while Maes yr Afon and the adjacent Greenfield Street were “chock a block” because people “will not pay for parking.” Parking fees in the pay and display car parks are £2.60 per hour, £6.60 per day, or £23 per week. Every household on Maes yr Afon received correspondence from Rhodri Llwyd, the council’s corporate director for highways. The letter stated: “If a person without lawful authority or excuse in any way obstructs the free passage along a highway [they are] guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or a fine, or both.” Ms Benjamin commented: “I could not believe how it made my chest ache – I cried with disillusionment.” She continued: “I thought they couldn’t even send a letter to say, ‘may we have a meeting? Can we discuss this issue? Can you get a few people together? Can we talk about this?'” Adding: “No, just ‘you are causing an obstruction. You can get 51 weeks in prison and a fine’.” Paul Wright, another resident of Maes yr Afon, mentioned he previously placed cones in front of his house before selling his vehicle. He stated: “Whenever I moved my car I could never get back in and I was having to pay in the car park, which I thought was wrong as a resident who owned my own house, I couldn’t get back in here. “And this happened all the time.” Mr Wright and Ms Benjamin advocated for a residents’ parking permit system for individuals living on the street. Ceredigion council clarified that placing items on the public highway “without permission” contravenes the law and is an offence under Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980. The council further noted: “If the residents wish, then they can buy a seasonal parking ticket for the car park which is directly opposite their property.”