A pilot Pembrokeshire disabled resident parking bay scheme will not be continued in its present form as it is not supported by UK legislation, councillors have heard.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s services overview & scrutiny committee meeting of November 25 were asked to review the implementation and impact of the disabled resident pilot scheme introduced back in 2022.

A report for members, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said: “The Disabled Persons Parking Pilot (DPPP) was launched by Pembrokeshire County Council in March 2022 to provide dedicated on-street parking bays for eligible disabled residents. The scheme was designed to operate within existing resources, with a commitment to review its effectiveness after two years.”

It said that, in the first year, 150 applications were received with 10 bays installed; 31 applications received the following year with another 10 bays installed before the 2025.

Eligibility was based on Blue Badge status and mobility benefit levels; however, no medical professionals were involved in assessing need, the report said.

The scheme saw an annual permit fee of £20, lower than ordinary residential permits, with setup costs of £5,500 for bay installation, plus £556 for advertising, with officer time estimated at £30,000 per year, the report said, a comparable scheme in Neath Port Talbot costing £43,000 annually for 12 bays.

Members heard there were legal considerations as the pilot is not supported by UK legislation.

“Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, TROs must apply to classes of users (e.g., Blue Badge holders) or relevant permits holders as part of resident permit schemes, not individuals,” the report said, adding: “Enforcement must be based on eligibility category, not personal identity, to ensure fairness and legal compliance.”

It was recommended to move to category-based bays, in other words bays for blue-badge holders, saying: “This removes the need for individual screening and ensures legal compliance. Future requests for universal bays to be considered on a case-by-case basis alongside other on-street restrictions.”

It added: “This option builds on the investigative and design work completed to date, ensures legal compliance, and promotes fairness by making bays accessible to all eligible Blue Badge holders or, where appropriate, by creating designated bays within resident parking permit areas.”

Members backed supporting the recommendation.