Warwick District parking changes move nearer
It is now just a month until new parking enforcement comes into force across the Warwick District with new resident parking areas and pay and display ticket machines on many town centre roads.
Everything is running on schedule for the introduction of ‘decriminalised’ parking in Warwick District on Monday, August 6, which means the enforcement of parking moves from being a police matter to a local authority one.
“Providing people with the right information is vital”, said Graham Greenwood, Project Manager at Warwickshire County Council.
“We are determined to provide residents, businesses and their customers with the information they require so that things will go smoothly on 6th August.”
Information will be sent out from tomorrow to local residents giving them details about what they need to do to apply for the new resident parking scheme and to local businesses so they can plan and start to inform their customers and staff as “Parking Day” approaches.
Gary Charlton, Parking Services Manager for Warwick District Council, is responsible for taking over the on-street enforcement from Warwickshire Police and the issue of Residents Parking Permits from Warwickshire County Council.
He said: “Residents will get a letter setting out what they need to do to apply for a resident parking permit. We will start to issue the new permits which will be valid from 6th August from mid-July so residents should have their permits before the live date.”
The key messages being sent to local businesses and their customers are:
New on-street parking charges and more effective enforcement of on-street parking regulations will be introduced from 6th August.
The changes should mean that many more convenient short term parking spaces will be available most of the time
People should always check the information displayed, pay the correct fee where required and return to your vehicle before your ticket has expired
On-Street Parking Charges start at only 20 pence for half an hour
In most cases it is cheaper to use the car parks than to pay to park on-street
A parking penalty will only be issued if you don’t pay the fee where required, over-stay your parking time or ignore the on-street restrictions
Please do not park on double-yellow-lines or loading bays as you are likely to be issued with a penalty notice of £60!
Road shows are also being planned to take place in Kenilworth, Leamington and Warwick to provide people with the necessary information.
The implementation of decriminalised parking in Warwick District is in line with government policy, and will see responsibility for the enforcement of on-street waiting restrictions pass from Warwickshire Police to Warwickshire County Council in a bid to tackle parking issues and help town centres remain sustainable and competitive.
Parking offences will cease to be a criminal matter and become a civil matter instead. Warwick District Council will operate the scheme on behalf of the county council under a partnership agreement.
Three Traffic Wardens and eleven Car Park Inspectors in the district will be replaced by a team of 30 uniformed Parking Attendants, providing much more effective control of parking.
The initiative is an integral part of Warwickshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan and is being rolled out throughout the county. Similar schemes have already been introduced in Stratford on Avon District in 2004, and in Rugby Borough in October last year
Residents in residential parking zones will be able to buy up to three resident permits plus one visitor permit per household. The cost of the first resident permit and of the visitor permit will be £15 each. Additional residents permits (maximum of 2) will be £25 each.
Each resident permit will be for a specific registration number, but the visitor permit may be used on any visiting vehicle. All residents who will be eligible for permits will receive a letter very soon explaining how the system will work and how to apply.
For more details see http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/decrim