Parking fine revoked because warden couldn't speak Welsh

The motorist's parking ticket was rescinded because the warden who issued it did not speak Welsh (file photograph). Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

A motorist in North Wales has been let off a parking ticket - because the warden who issued it couldn't speak Welsh.

According to Gwynedd Council's official language policy, every member of the public has the right to communicate with the council in the language of their choice - be it Welsh or English. All members of staff who work directly with the public must be bilingual and able to respond fluently in both languages.

A report to tomorrow's meeting of the council's Language Committee says an apology has been made to the motorist and the parking ticket rescinded "due to the special circumstances of the complainant at the time".

Gwynedd, the linguistic heartland of Wales, has the highest number of Welsh speakers – 65% compared to the Welsh average of 19%.

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