Is parking a problem where you live?

Consultation with people living in and close to the areas for the proposed extension of the controlled parking zone ended on 31 July 2002. All comments and responses will be analysed and results available towards the end of the 2002. Click here to see if you live in one of these areas.

What the surveys uncovered

The parking surveys were carried out in September, October and November 2001 to find out the exact nature of the parking problems in your area.

The current usage by residents, commuters and short stay visitors was identified in each area. It also highlighted problems such as double parking, parking on pavements and examples of obstructive/dangerous parking. Introducing a controlled parking zone in your area has been suggested as a solution.

What is a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)?

A Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) is an area where all parking is controlled during the hours of operation only. All kerbside space is marked as either a parking area or a yellow line. Parking areas are divided into permit and pay and display spaces. It is likely that some of these spaces will be shared; ie that the spaces may be used by permit holders or by pay and display.

The main aim is to discourage commuters and long stay parking by people from outside the area. To make sure this works fairly, uniformed parking attendants will enforce the zones.

How will it benefit me?

CPZs can help by

• creating more parking spaces for locals
• discouraging people from outside your area parking on your streets
• improving road safety
• reducing congestion on your streets
• freeing up space for short term visitors and shoppers to the area
• improving access for emergency vehicles
• keeping traffic moving freely

However a CPZ cannot solve all your parking problems. It cannot guarantee you a space outside your home and it cannot resolve the problem of finding a parking space in the evening when residents return home from work. This is because in densely populated areas where some households own more than one vehicle and off street parking facilities are limited, it is not possible to create more space.

Will there be a charge?

There will be a cost.

Residents

Residents will have to buy a parking permit which will allow them to park in the CPZ with no time restraints. Each permit relates to an individual vehicle and not a household. The costs have not been set as yet, but it is likely that they will no more than the current peripheral areas, which are currently £80 per year.

Visitors and Tradesmen

It is planned to give all permit holders a limited number of guest permits for use by their visitors or tradespeople. We are looking for your views on this.

Pay and display spaces will also be available and ticket machines will be provided for these spaces.

Which streets will be affected?

This map shows the new proposed controlled parking areas. At the exhibition you can see the draft proposals which include examples of shared use parking places, waiting and/or loading restrictions to deal with locations where parking could be obstructive/dangerous, and loading areas to help local businesses.

When will the restrictions apply?

The proposed hours of control will be similar to those in the current peripheral CPZ i.e. from 08:30 to 17:30 (Monday to Friday) except for waiting and/or loading restrictions to deal with any obstructive/dangerous parking which would apply at any time. Again we are seeking your views on these proposed hours.

How many permits can I apply for?

In the existing city centre controlled parking zone demand for permits is high and more permits are issued than there are spaces.

In many areas there is likely to be a very high level of demand for residents’ parking especially in highly densely populated areas. We would like to know what you think about restricting one permit per household or alternatively allowing residents to buy a second permit at a higher cost.

This will allow for an equal and fair allocation of spaces whilst maintaining the balance between providing spaces for residents and short term visitors, including shoppers and tradespeople.

Disabled parking

There will be a number of designated disabled spaces outside public buildings. Any advisory disabled spaces currently marked with white lines will be removed although Disabled badge holders will be able to apply for a free residents permit and can use the permit or pay and display spaces at no cost. Disabled badge holders will also be able to park alongside single yellow lines as long as they do not cause an obstruction or go against any loading restrictions.