Charnwood Borough Council

Car Parking Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions

Parking Frequently Asked Questions

What will the difference be?	How much will a parking ticket be?
Why is it changing?	When will I get a fine?
How will this affect Blue Badge holders?	Will you be able to speak to a person at the Notice Processing Unit?
Will areas outside schools be patrolled at school drop off and pick up times?	What are the opening times for the telephone line?
How do you report illegal parking in disabled parking bays?	Are there any target numbers?
What about parking on the pavement?	How do I apply for a Residents Preferential Parking Permit?

Parking Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT WILL THE DIFFERENCE BE?

Parking restrictions will not change, but teams of parking attendants, rather than the police, will issue tickets to drivers who park incorrectly or without consideration for other.
If you park in the wrong place or for the wrong length of time you ill be more likely to get a parking ticket.

WHY IS IT CHANGING?

Although most drivers park correctly, some are inconsiderate, causing congestion and disrupting traffic flows. Parking in the wrong place can be dangerous as it can jeopardise the work of our emergency services.

As part of the enforcement scheme:

• Congestion can be reduced saving time, fuel and reducing harmful emissions
• Roads will be kept free from obstruction allowing easier access for emergency services
• More parking spaces will be made available – attendants will be ticketing all those flouting time-restricted bays or wrongly parking in designated spaces
• Regular patrols will mean safer streets for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists

HOW MUCH WILL A PARKING TICKET BE?

Parking tickets will be £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

The charge could rise to £95 plus debt collection costs if payment is not made.

For details about payments and appeals visit the County Council's Parking Matters pages.

WHEN WILL I GET A FINE?

Drivers will get a fine if they break parking or loading regulations. Useful information taken from the Highway Code is given below.

To avoid receiving a fine make sure you don’t park:

• On double yellow lines
• On single yellow lines during the times shown on the sign
• Past the time limit in short stay parking spaces
• In a loading bay unless loading or unloading in specified loading bays during the times shown
• In bus lanes or bus stop clearways
• In taxi ranks
• On loading or unloading bans at any time
• In disabled parking spaces unless you display a blue disabled badge
• For longer than the time limit if you do have a disabled badge

You should:

• Observe parking bay restrictions
• Always purchase a pay and display ticket for the required time when parking in a pay and display area
• Take notice of parking signs and restrictions
• Refer to the Highway Code

If you believe that you have been ticketed unfairly you can make an appeal. Details of how to appeal are on the parking ticket. Money from the tickets will pay for the enforcement service or be spent on making improvements to parking, highway and transport services.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT BLUE BADGE HOLDERS?

Hopefully an improved amount of availability (but no additional spaces):
Better operation (enforcement) of designated badge-holder bays, and less illegal parking on double yellow lines should free-up the areas where badge holders can park.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO A PERSON AT THE NOTICE PROCESSING UNIT?

Yes – the Unit will have 12 people answering telephone enquiry’s ranging from people querying tickets, reporting people parking illegally and raising issues of concern on local parking issues. 08458 450 450

WILL AREAS OUTSIDE SCHOOLS BE PATROLLED AT SCHOOL DROP OFF AND PICK UP TIMES?

Yes, where there are signed and lined school keep clears. Requests for additional enforcement will be considered along with all others by the central admin service.

WHAT ARE THE OPENING TIMES FOR THE TELEPHONE LINE?

8 am till 6 pm Monday to Friday. Payments can be made 24 hours through an automated service.

HOW DO YOU REPORT ILLEGAL PARKING IN A DISABLED PARKING BAY?

In the same way as any other illegal parking – by phoning the 08458 450 450 number

ARE THERE ANY TARGET NUMBERS?

No

WHAT ABOUT PARKING ON THE PAVEMENT?

Parking Attendants are able to issue PCNs to vehicles parked where a restriction applies to the stretch of road. (eg parked behind a double yellow line). Where there are no restrictions, we will refer these incidents to the police periodically. Police discretion will apply as to level of action.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A RESIDENTS PREFERENTIAL PARKING PERMIT?

Each household can have a maximu of 2 permits per annum, the first costing £10 and the second £20. For each permit you need to print off and complete an application form which should be returned with:

• the vehicle registration document V5 (photocopies are accepted) and
• proof of residency (e.g. top part of bank statement, Gas or electricity bill, Tenancy Agreement or a letter from your solicitor - all must be dated withint he last three months).
• a cheque for £10 or £20 as appropriate.

Further information can be obtained on our Preferential Parking web pages.