Many people confused about the new rules and signs, don’t get caught out
Parts of Cardiff are seeing new traffic enforcement signs up in school areas and side streets in relation to when you are or not allowed to park/access them without a permit sending much confusion across the city, we will try to explain the new rules below as according to Cardiff City Council.
Enforcement
It is an offence to enter or drive in an active school Street without a valid school street permit. Cardiff City Council will use enforcement cameras to monitor school streets and issue fines (Penalty Charge Notices) to offenders.
The fine for this offence is £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. If the fine is ignored the penalty will increase. There will be a right of appeal if you believe the PCN should not have been issued.
Enforcement will take place when schools are open. So make sure to read below.
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School Streets
School Streets are areas around School entrances that are closed to vehicles during peak drop-off and pick-up times.
This is to help children access the school safely, promote active travel and reduce air pollution.
Only vehicles with valid School Street permits are permitted to enter School Streets during restricted times.
School Street Locations
There are many school streets in Cardiff, and each has its own location reference:
School Streets Zone SS:
| School | Affected Roads | Restricted Times | Zone reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creigiau County | Tregarth Close Tregarth Court | 8.30am – 9.30am 3pm – 4pm | SS1 |
| Glan Yr Afon | Browning Close | 8.30am – 9.30am 2pm – 3pm | SS2 |
| Gladstone Primary and St Monica’s | Pentyrch Street Cwmdare Street | 8.30am – 9.30am 3pm – 4pm | SS3 |
| Tredegarville | Newport Road Lane | 8am – 9.30am 2pm – 4pm | SS4 |
| Bryn Hafod | Blagdon Close | 8.30m – 9.30am 2pm – 3pm | SS5 |
| Willowbrook | Bulrush Close | 8.30am – 9.30am 3pm – 4pm | SS6 |
| St Peter’s RC Primary | Southey Street | 8.30am – 9.30am 3pm – 4pm | SS7 |
| St Cuthbert’s RC Primary | Letton Road / Heol Letton | 8.30am – 9.30am 3pm – 4pm | SS8 |
| Lakeside | Ontario Way Winnipeg Drive Manitoba Close | 8.30am – 9.30am 3pm – 4pm | SS9 |
School Streets Zone SZ:
| School | Affected Roads | Restricted Times | Zone reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ysgol Melin Gruffydd | Glan Y Nant Road, Glan Y Nant Terrace, Davis’s Terrace | 8.30am – 9.15am 2.45pm – 3.45pm | SZ1 |
| Ysgol Pencaerau | Cyntwell Avenue | 8.30am – 9.15am 2.45pm – 3.45pm | SZ2 |
| Peter Lea Primary school | Carter Place | 8.30am – 9.15am 2.45pm – 3.45pm | SZ3 |
| Llandaff City Church in Wales | Hendre Close | 8.30am – 9.15am 2.45pm – 3.45pm | SZ4 |
| Lansdowne Primary school | Norfolk Street, Surrey Street | 8.30am – 9.15am 2.30pm – 3.15pm | SZ5 |
| Coed y Gof | Bramble Close, Lime Grove | 8.30am – 9.30am 2.30pm – 3.30pm | SZ6 |
| Rhiwbina Primary | Lon Y Dail, Lon Ganol, Lon Ucha | 8.30am – 9.15am 3.00pm – 3.45pm | SZ8 |
School Street Permits
You may be eligible to apply for a free digital School Street access permit online. As they are digital, you will not need to display anything in your vehicle it will work from your numberplate.
School Street permits normally last an academic year (1st September to 31st July). Permits applied for in August will apply to the following school year.
Terms and conditions apply.
Cardiff City Council aim to review all applications within 7 working days
Please remember that School Street permits are not parking permits, and when parking, all restrictions that may be present must be followed.
Annual Permits & Emergency Permits:
You can apply online for a School Street permit External link opens in a new window if you live within a School Street and your vehicle is registered or kept at your address.
To apply, you will need your Council Tax reference number to hand, and a copy of one of the following:
- UK Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5c Logbook)
- Lease, Finance or Rental Agreement
- Insurance Certificate and Policy (including Motability Insurance)
- Company Vehicles: you must provide a company headed letter dated within 28 days of your application to confirm all of the following you are an employee/director, you are authorised to drive the vehicle, you keep the vehicle overnight at your address, vehicle registration number and the name and position of the person signing the letter.
If you are unable to provide a Council Tax reference you will need to download the application form (PDF), and provide a proof of address. This will then allow you to obtain permits. The completed form should then be sent to [email protected].
You won’t need a School Street permit if your vehicle already has a digital resident e-permit. Resident visitor parking permits do not apply to School Streets.
Emergency Visitor Passes
Residents have the option to obtain up to 30 day passes per academic year for visitors requiring access in the event of an emergency (such as if a plumber needs to attend a water leak).
One pass provides one vehicle with one full day’s access.
While there will be no limit on the number of emergency passes that can be activated at any one time, they are not transferable between vehicles.
When your visitor arrives you can activate an emergency day pass via the “Activate Visitor Permit” option on your MiPermit account.
Blue Badge Holders
You can apply for a School Street exemption permit Link opens in a new window if you are a Blue Badge holder and if you are:
- A pupil of a school in a School Street
- The parent or guardian of a child attends a school in a School Street
- A staff member of a school in a School Street
- A resident of a School Street and do not own your own vehicle
You will need to upload proof of a valid Blue Badge and proof that you meet one of the above criteria.
You do not have to be the driver or owner of the vehicle as Blue Badge permits apply to any vehicle. However the permit only applies when the vehicle is being used solely for the benefit of the Blue Badge holder at the time of entering the School Street, and the Blue Badge holder must have their Blue Badge with them at all times.
Carers
You may apply for a School Street carer exemption permit if you provide regular care to a resident of a School Street.
This includes both professionals and anyone who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and they cannot otherwise manage without their day-to-day support.
To apply for a carer exemption permit Link opens in a new window you must provide proof of your ownership/use of the permit vehicle (such as your V5c Logbook or insurance document), and at least one of the following:
- Proof of employment as a professional heath carer
- A copy of receipt of Carers Allowance or Carers Credit benefits; or,
- A letter signed by the resident confirming care requirements. In these circumstances, each application will be considered on its own merits.
You will also be required to provide the full name and address of the resident.
School Street Business Permits
You can apply for a School Street permit External link opens in a new window if you own, run or are employed by a Business, Religious or Community Premises in a School Street.
To apply you will need to provide:
- Proof that you own or use the permit vehicle (such as your V5c Logbook or insurance documents), and;
- Confirmation of your requirements for access (such as a copy of your business rates, staff ID or a covering letter on company headed paper signed by an appropriate person such as a manager)