West Dorset District Council Car Parking Policy 2016-2021 - Appendix A
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Appendix A
West Dorset District Council
Car Parking Policy
2016-2021
1Table of Contents
Briefholder Statement ................................................................................................................. 3
Car Parking Strategy .................................................................................................................... 4
Where are we? – Our Current Facilities ............................................................................................. 4
Where do we want to be? – Broad Principles and Aims .................................................................... 8
How will we get there? – The way Forward ..................................................................................... 11
Excellence Policy ....................................................................................................................... 15
Operational Protocols Policy ..................................................................................................... 17
Notice Processing Guidelines ........................................................................................................... 23
Annual Improvement Plan ........................................................................................................ 40
2Portfolio Holder Statement
The West Dorset District Council car parking policy includes three elements comprising the
strategy, excellence and operational papers. These documents are included here, and set
out the approaches that are currently being considered for the provision, operation,
improvement and investment in our off street car parks.
This is a dynamic policy and while it attempts to address current issues, it is likely to be
amended within the policy period 2016-2021. This will be in response to additional
information, and to reflect and address changing circumstances and site developments.
I am pleased with the improvements we have undertaken and the awards we have received
over the past 12 months. These demonstrate our commitment to reinvest in our car parks to
improve these and the awards give independent confirmation of the good work that the
Council is doing.
Over the past 12 months we have:-
Improved parking management systems
Improved the parking environment
Obtained the prestigious Park Mark Award for 6 of our car parks
Introduced Electric Vehicle Charging Units in various towns
It should be recognised that the Council is not the only provider of publically available
parking. From a policy perspective therefore we are best placed to bring about any required
changes in parking provision, since our approach does not necessarily have to reflect the
profit motivation that would motivate the private sector. For instance, in addition to servicing
existing retail and commercial need, parking provision may also be a catalyst for future
development.
The various West Dorset town centres have competing demands for short and long stay
parking provision. The previous policy and strategy until now has been to designate specific
car parks for either short stay or long stay parking. However this does not give the necessary
flexibility for users who wish to have the optimum choice for their parking destination.
Accordingly rather than designating specific car parks for short or long stay we will change
the pricing structure to be able to give the same benefits to both user requirement, and
maximum choice in parking destination.
In essence the new approach will endeavour to provide the right amount of the short or long
stat parking at the right location at the right time for the right price.
Historically there has tended to be a reactive approach to planning for parking provision, but
this policy outlines a more proactive approach. The future and changing demands are
periodically assessed and changes to parking provision planned as the Western Growth
Corridor between Dorchester and Weymouth progresses.
I believe this flexible but practical approach, and appropriate investment in improving these
important Council assets will serve all elements of the community.
John Russell
Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Assets
3The Purpose of this Parking Policy
The purpose of this parking policy is twofold:
1) To contribute to Dorset County Council’s transport objectives that includes reducing
congestion in order to maintain the free flow of traffic while improving road safety and
to use parking in order change travel behaviour.
2) To provide West Dorset town centres and visitor attraction areas with sufficient car
parking that is safe and secure and that parking charges are set at levels that would
not be detrimental to the economic viability of the local businesses.
Car Parking Strategy -is set out in three sections.
One Firstly, it sets out where we are on car parking across West Dorset,
highlighting the challenges facing the various town centres and the Growth
Corridor, and the likely impact of changes during any regeneration.
Two Secondly, it describes where we want to be, what car parking across west
Dorset will look like in the future, balancing demands for additional car
parking against the need to promote more sustainable modes of transport,
especially during any regeneration of Dorchester town centre.
Three Thirdly, it makes recommendations and proposals on how the strategy will be
achieved, how we get there
One- Current facilities-Where are we?
1 Existing Off-Street Parking Provision
1.1. The Council has off street car parking available across the whole of West Dorset.
Number of Number of
Town
car parks parking bays
Beaminster 2 96
Bridport 7 604
Charmouth 1 26
Dorchester 8 1,607
Lyme Regis 4 650
Sherborne 6 589
West Bay 8 893
1.2. It should be noted that of the above, the Council operates one car park each on
behalf Beaminster, Bridport and Sherborne Town Councils and one privately owned
car park in Dorchester.
1.3. In addition to the Council operated car parks, Lyme Regis Town Council provides
and operates three public car parks.
41.4. It should be noted that there are other public car parks operated by private
operators, including commercial parking for customers and staff at supermarkets
and retail outlets. With regard to privately operated chargeable public car parks,
Waitrose has one in Dorchester and NCP operates one in Lyme Regis.
1.5. Coach parking is provided at the following car parks.
Number of
Town Car Park
parking bays
Bridport
Dorchester
Lyme Regis Charmouth Road 5
Sherborne Culverhayes 6
West Bay West bay Road 5
1.6. Disabled parking is provided by the Council within its car parks in total 98 bays that
are dedicated for the use by vehicles displaying a blue badge. Generally these bays
are located in areas of the car parks that are nearest the local amenities and the pay
& display machines. The disabled parking bays are larger in size that the other bays
and have a 1meter wide hatched strip to aid wheelchair access. Currently the
disabled have to pay for parking unless they are entitled to the higher rate of
disability and then they can apply for a permit that allows then to park for the first
three hours free of charge.
1.7. Motorcycle parking is provided by the Council in its car parks with some 30
dedicated bays and currently parking is free for motorcycles.
1.8. Electric vehicle charging points exist in three car parks (Trinity Street, Dorchester,
East Street Bridport and Charmouth Road, Lyme Regis) at this time. Parking is
currently free while the electric vehicle is connected and being charged.
1.9. There are “Sheffield” stands located at various locations across West Dorset.
2 Existing on-street parking
2.1. Parking provision is made available through:
Limited 1 hour free parking in various West Dorset town centres.
Pay and display
On sections of road where there are no restrictions in place, e.g. yellow lines.
Residents Parking Schemes
2.2. Dorchester town centre currently has some 10 residents parking schemes operating,
Bridport has Five, Lyme Regis has One, and Sherborne has One.
On-street pay & display
2.3. On-street pay & display parking is currently only provided in Dorchester town centre.
On-street limited waiting
2.4. On street free limited waiting parking bays are located throughout all the West
Dorset towns.
On-Street Enforcement, Pricing and Policies
2.5. On-street parking provision and enforcement is the responsibility of Dorset County
Council (DCC), which includes all on-street scheme design and implementation.
DCC are also responsible for the charges made for on-street parking.
53 Current studies
3.1. Changes in planning and transportation policies outside of the scope of this policy
will have a considerable influence on car parking issues. At present the Dorset
County Council (DCC) are undertaking a wider study on transportation, park and
ride and both on and off street car parking. DCC’s study will be informing the
Western Growth Corridor aspirations, and will include an operational capability to
model the effect of changes to the supply and demand for off street parking, as well
as a sensitivity analysis for pricing. This study is being undertaken in conjunction
with West Dorset District Council as well as Weymouth and Portland Borough
Council.
3.2. The study when completed could be influential on decisions for future use of current
facilities, as well as considering the Local Plan site development opportunities for
the region’s major towns.
3.3. Accordingly this policy sets out the current intentions and options but will need to
reflect and respond to specific site redevelopment proposals as these are brought
forward.
4 Challenges & Changes
4.1. With regard to the current position and being able to move forward, the Council’s car
parking services face a number of challenges together with potential changes, much
of which is unknown. The following are examples of the types of challenges that
could well dictate incorporating changes being necessary to the current objectives of
this policy.
Dorchester Town Redevelopment
4.2. Securing the Dorchester’s economic future is a strategic priority of the Council and
as any potential re-development begins to take place, it is inevitable that the existing
car parking in the town centre will be affected.
4.3. A key short term consideration is to identify changes in the parking supply and
demand in different areas as parking potentially disappears through re-development.
Future town centre parking needs will be met through either increasing capacity at
existing car parks or providing new car parks, however it must be recognised that
alternative sites are limited, if they exist at all. This issue therefore needs careful
attention and focus given to it while there is time to plan the future potential parking
provision.
Dorchester town centre
4.4. Many of the car parks in Dorchester town centre are relatively small and it may be
more appropriate for the future to concentrate parking actively at a lower number of
sites allowing a higher quality and better effective use of the available parking bays.
4.5. A large number of residential properties Dorchester town centre suffers from a lack
of off street car parking provision and the streets are often not suitable for on street
car parking and therefore the Council operates a residents parking scheme that
allows residents to use some of Dorchester town centre car parks.
4.6. Dorchester, unlike some of the nearby coastal towns does not experience significant
swings in the level of car park occupancy. The occupancy levels remain fairly
constant throughout the whole year.
Lyme Regis
64.7. Like many of the coastal towns there is an influx of visitors during the summer and
this shows in the demand for available parking space during the summer season.
4.8. The two largest car parks that the Council provides in Lyme Regis are located on the
periphery of the town centre and the visitors do have the challenge of walking up
steep hills in order to return to their cars.
West Bay
4.9. West Bay has a seasonal challenge in trying to accommodate the large influx of
visitors to this area of the coast within its existing car parking provision. During the
off peak season, however the car parks are extremely underutilised.
4.10. Three of the car parks current do not have surfaces that allow parking bays to
be marked and this undoubtedly results in less parking than can actually take place.
4.11. West Bay Road car park is used by Bridport Town Council as a park and ride
facility taking people from West Bay to Bridport town centre on Wednesday’s and
Saturdays between July and September.
Bridport
4.12. Bridport has a number of small car parks that are not easy to locate but they
do however experience high occupancy levels at times.
4.13. Many of the car parks in Bridport are relatively small and it may be more
appropriate for the future to concentrate parking actively at a lower number of sites
allowing a higher quality and better effective use of the available parking bays and
this could assist in reducing the levels of congestion that the town experiences.
Sherborne
4.14. Sherborne has a number of small car parks that are not easy to locate but
they do however experience high occupancy levels at times. Some additional
signage has been erected on the highway network to improve the presence of the
town’s car parks.
On-street parking enforcement
4.15. The Council will continue to work closely with Dorset County Council in order
to achieve positive benefits relating to on street parking and traffic management.
Dorset County Council’s Western Growth Corridor Traffic Management & Car
Parking Study
4.16. Dorset County Council is currently undertaking a transport and parking study,
however due to the complexity of the study, its findings will not be ready prior to the
adoption of this Parking Policy. It will be necessary to consider the study’s findings
to assess what the implications are, if any, for the objectives of this Policy.
Capital funding
4.17. The Council is committed to reinvesting in its car parks to ensure that the
facilities are modern and deliver a quality service to the users of the car park, and
this has been recently demonstrated by the huge investment made in the new pay &
display machines. Any future funding will need to prioritise improving car park
surfaces and the introduction of new and or innovative technology.
Government Legislation
74.18. Offers the intention to improve operational transparency and payment
methods via new technology e.g. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
cameras. This could well have set up costs and operational implications but in the
long term this technology should make the service more cost efficient.
8Two
Where do we want to be?
5 Broad Principles and aims of the Strategy
National Guidance
5.1. From the Government’s Planning Policy Supplements comes the principle of
balancing environmental, social and economic needs to benefit the whole
community. It recognises the need to promote regeneration and development that
enhances the economic wellbeing of communities, but seeks to ensure that the
benefits are accessible to all members of that community. In land use terms that
means making sure that development is accessible by public transport, on foot or by
bicycle and that the need to travel by car is reduced.
5.2. The availability of car parking will affect people’s transport decisions. It is important
to minimise car borne traffic entering centres of employment and other activity and
this can be achieved by pricing mechanisms and by increasing the availability and
attractiveness of alternatives to the car and even reducing the availability of car
parking. However these measures have to be balanced against their impact on the
economic viability of the town and the ability of the commuter, shopper and visitor to
pay for parking.
Local Issues
5.3. West Dorset is different in that covering a wide rural area that has a number of small
market towns and some major seaside tourist destinations that does attract many
family holiday makers who will travel to the area by car and therefore strategies to
reduce car travel may have to be amended accordingly.
5.4. A key local objective is for the delivery of economic growth priorities is to ‘Develop
and promote the coast and countryside offer to increase Dorset’s share of the visitor
market.’ Another objective is to Prioritise transport infrastructure growth to support
improved North-South transport links.’
5.5. To sustain existing parking provision and to ensure that the Council remains ahead
of demand for car parking in terms of providing the right amount of parking provision
of the right type of parking that is located in the right place.
5.6. The Council will be receptive to the identification of potential new parking sites for
acquisition and or modifying the existing car parks to accommodate additional
vehicles that may be required to meet future parking requirements. This might occur
as existing car park sites are incorporated as part of redevelopments and parking is
then concentrated into fewer and more intensively used car parks.
5.7. The Council will regularly consult with various local organisations on changes to the
management and operation of existing car parks.
5.8. The strategy intends to deliver cost effective car parking to ensure available car
parking for shoppers, holiday makers / visitors and commercial users and to assess
the need for change in the car parking fees structure and payment mechanism to
further support the local economy, balanced with the requirement to maintain current
parking income levels and provide quality car parks.
95.9. There is some crossover between the strategy element of the foregoing with the
operational and excellence of the parking policy, but this is inevitable as it is an
integrated policy.
Aims of the Parking Strategy
Aim1
Destination is based on location and pricing
Central locations would have a premium pricing structure to make parking affordable based
upon customer choice. Periphery car parking would be at a lower pricing tariff.
Aim 2
Demand pricing
Premium rates for the high demand hours to assist in equalisation in use across the day. Car
parks will no longer be designated as for long or short stay car parking. By allowing all car
parks to be used for either duration but by pricing to ensure premium locations encourage
shorter stays choice is then given to users who can decide the most convenient option and
location for them.
Aim 3
Car parking space availability
Adequate car parking spaces currently exist according to use statistics. Car parks located in
the coastal towns are more intensively used in the season and at weekends. The strategy to
ensure that there continues to be sufficient car parking spaces will be a pricing structure to
encourage alternative green transportation thus potentially not increasing demand. This
coupled with a longer term reduction in car parking sites as these are redeveloped will be
offset in part by intensification of fewer existing parking site or in some case new sites may
be acquired if opportune.
Aim 4
Enhanced facilities and standards
For motorists who wish to have wider parking bays in order to accommodate larger vehicles
or indeed to make parking easier, well lit and monitored with CCTV to discourage criminal
activity and above the normal car park standard facilities there will be a premium parking
charge. The higher charge is because the wider bays will reduce the number of parking bays
and the enhance facilities come at a cost.
Aim 5
Seasonal supply and demand
Accommodates residents, gives lower pricing for seasonal charging and more options when
car parks are less utilised, benefiting local tax payers.
Aim 6
Economic development / shopper parking
Provision of parking is adequate and the pricing strategy covered by the foregoing will still
encourage turn over without penalising those who wish to stay longer. Competitive pricing
with other West Dorset car parking providers, as well as other nearby towns will ensure the
local economy is supported.
10Aim 7
To actively seek new and innovative ways in which motorists are able to access
payment channels.
The Council is keen to reduce the need for cash payments on site, and to encourage online
season tickets payments, and transactional pay by phone or debit card payments. It is
inconvenient for car park users to have to have the correct change for use in the pay &
display machines, and to avoid time consuming cash collection and handling for the Council.
Flexibility for users to have multiple payment channel options is key and we will identify and
introduce alternative payment channels that will enhance the parking experience. To
encourage pay by phone we will offer a discount on the usual rates for those motorists who
using pay by phone. We will also encourage debit card payments and support Vehicle
Number Plate Recognition payment systems when legislation permits their use.
11Three
How we will get there?
6 The Way Forward
A parking strategy that prioritises visitor and shopping parking in a town centre is seen
as an effective way of achieving the objective of providing adequate amounts of quality
car parks that have excellent facilities at the right locations and with the right charges
today and in the future.
Car Parking Demand
6.1. The coastal towns of West Dorset experience a huge influx of visitors during the
summer season and the car parks at times are virtually full to capacity, however in
the winter only those car parks located in town centres away from the coast retain
higher levels of occupancy. Areas such as West Bay and the outer lying Lyme Regis
car parks occupancy falls dramatically.
6.2. It is now possible with the new pay & display machines to obtain good data relating
to occupancy levels and this is being monitored on a constant basis. This
information is vital for the Council to be aware of trends regarding occupancy levels
and to be proactive in planning what parking provision is necessary for the future.
6.3. Dorset County Council has a system that counts vehicles entering and leaving the
Council’s car parks, but unfortunately the reports show some significant anomalies
and therefore little confidence can be given to the data that is being produced.
6.4. Dorset County Council provides and manages the on street public car parking within
the town centre. This comprises of free parking limited to one hour in all West Dorset
towns apart from Dorchester, in respect to West Dorset, where there is some pay &
display on street parking.
6.5. Whilst there may be a few occasions during the height of the summer season when
motorists may struggle to find available parking space, it is considered that West
Dorset currently has sufficient parking provision.
6.6. The planning of car parking provision that will meet future demand is continuing and
it is vital for the Council to obtain as much relevant data on the use of its existing car
parking in order to understand the current position accurately and this is essential for
projection what will be required. The future planning does have a number of
challenges, such as potential Dorchester Town Centre redevelopment proposals
that will present various questions on how and where future car parking may be
provided, as well as how is the level of parking provision maintained during any
redevelopment works.
Car Park Terms and Conditions
6.7. It is necessary to apply a number of conditions on the use of the Council car parks
and the following considers a number of these conditions.
12Class of Vehicle
6.8. All motor vehicles, including motorhomes, vans, and vehicles with trailers or
caravans are permitted to park within a council operated car park. They must
however be parked wholly within a marked parking bay.
6.9. Coaches are permitted to use Culverhayes, Sherborne, Charmouth Road and
Holmbush, Lyme Regis, West Street, Bridport, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Yarn
Barton, Beaminster, and West Bay Road, West Bay and Top O Town, Dorchester
car parks.
6.10. HGV’s are permitted to use Culverhayes, Sherborne, Yarn Barton,
Beaminster, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Holmbush, Lyme Regis, West Street,
Bridport, and Top O’ Town Dorchester car parks.
Marked Parking Bays
6.11. All vehicles must be parked wholly within a designated marked parking bay,
all car parks will have some bays marked that are for different class of vehicle.
Should a vehicle be of such size that it takes up more than one bay, it must have
purchased the appropriate period of time for each bay that it is accommodating.
No Overnight Sleeping
6.12. The council’s car parks are for the purpose of parking a vehicle for a defined
period of time and are not intended for the purpose of camping, e.g. dwelling /
overnight sleeping and cooking using open flames. The reasons for this include a
lack of facilities such as toilets, washing and electric supply. The majority of the
council’s car parks are within residential areas and the activities associated with
overnight sleeping have generated large volumes of complaints.
6.13. The exception to the sleeping ban is for HGV and coach drivers as they are
required by law to rest up and this is evidenced by Tachographs.
Solo Motorcycles
6.14. Solo motorcycles are allowed to park free of charge when parked within a
marked parking bay designated for solo motorcycles.
Blue Badge / Disabled Parking
6.15. Vehicles displaying a Blue Badge will be required to display a valid pay &
display ticket, unless they have paid for parking via the Phone and Pay telephone
payments system. In addition to whatever period of time that has been purchased
there will be an additional one hour added to the exit time. This is in recognition that
in many cases the disabled will require a longer period of time going from and
returning to the vehicle.
Season Tickets
6.16. Motorists can purchase season tickets for all its car parks and these can be
for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 12 months. It should be noted that a
season ticket does not guarantee a parking space. To ensure that a parking space is
available at all times then the motorist would need to purchase a permit for a
reserved parking bay.
13Car Parking Concessions
6.17. Christmas Shopping
The Council offers the various Chambers of Commerce and Dorchester town
council and element of free car parking during December as shown in the table
below:
Organisation Concession
Dorchester TC £2,900
Bridport CoC Free car parking
Beaminster Lights
Free car parking
Committee
Sherborne CoC Match funding up to £1,500
Lyme Regis
Match funding up to £1,500
Business Group
6.18. Special Events
There will be three days each year where each of the Town Councils can
decide to use car parks in their respective administrative areas to hold special
events at no cost.
6.19. Citizens Advice Bureau
Dorchester CAB can apply for up to a maximum of 5 annual permits free of
charge for use in long stay car parks only.
6.20. Town Mayors
One permit per town, for use that the respective town only.
Review of Parking Charges
6.21. The Council when reviewing the current parking charges does take into
account a large number of factors, including but not limited to:
a. An Annual Review of all parking charges are necessary to ascertain whether
the parking charges are appropriate and for careful consideration to be given
to any potential increases / decreases that should be introduced.
b. The recovery of expenditure incurred on the provision and management of
the public car parks is essential to avoid this financial burden falling on to the
Council tax payer and depriving other vital Council Services from crucial
funds. It should be recognised that for the 2015/16 financial year Business
Rates were £343,000 and rents for the provision of additional car parks on
private land totalled £90,000.
c. The Council constantly reviews the parking charges of its competitors,
this includes the charges made by the private sector operating public car
parks in the various towns across West Dorset, as well as comparing its
charges with similar towns and nearby seaside resorts and what Dorset
County Council are charging for on-street car parking.
d. The setting of lower charges for short term parking in town centre car
parks up to a maximum period of time. This would assist in encouraging the
turnover of car parking spaces in order to attract more visitors / shoppers to
the town centres.
14e. The demand for car parking can be a good indicator as to whether parking
charges are being set too high and whether seasonal fluctuations dictate to
the need to consider introducing lower charges during the winter period.
f. Annual consideration of the Consumer Price Index is necessary in order to
understand the position of the Country’s inflation rate, which will have a
bearing on any decision relating to any changes to the parking charges that
may occur.
The needs of the community the Council serves, e.g. its residents and
commercial retailers.
6.22. Whist the council is not responsible for on street parking, it is continuously
liaising with Dorset County Council on proposals that are intended to assist the local
community. The towns Dorchester, Sherborne residents benefit from on street
residents parking schemes with annual permit prices substantially lower than the
cost of parking in car parks. This Council also compliment this with its own residents
parking schemes in Dorchester and Bridport.
6.23. The local businesses benefit from a large number on free 1 hour limited
waiting on street parking bays which are very convenient in terms of location and are
intended to increase the turnover of customers to the local shops.
15Excellence Policy
Excellence
7.1. West Dorset District Council recognises that the car parking experience greatly
impacts on the overall visitor experience of the various towns and as a holiday
destination. This policy focuses how the Council’s car parks are maintained and the
provision of the most appropriate facilities and information within its car parks.
Park Mark Awards
7.2. It is the objective of the Council to achieve the prestigious Park Mark Award for each
of its car parks.
7.3. The Safer Parking Scheme is a national standard for UK car parks that have low
crime and measures in place to ensure the safety of people and vehicles. A Park
Mark is awarded to each car park that achieves the challenging standards.
7.4. The distinctive Park Mark signage helps drivers find car parks where they can
confidently leave their vehicle, knowing the environment is safer for them, their
passengers and vehicle.
Ease of Use
7.5. The parking experience commences for the motorist as they near the end of their
journey and start looking for a convenient place to park. This Council will therefore
liaise with Dorset County Council to achieve the best possible signage on the
highway network to assist motorists in locating our car parks.
7.6. Once parked the motorist will then expect it to be easy to locate the nearest pay &
display machine and that all machines are in good working order, together with clear
instructions for their use.
7.7. To assist the motorist there should be a number of options when considering making
the payment to park, e.g. cash, credit card and mobile phone.
7.8. Each car park is to have relevant telephone numbers clearly displayed should a
member of the public wishes to contact Parking Services.
Maintenance
7.9. Every car park is regularly inspected to ensure that the car park is maintained to a
high standard. The checks that are carried out include, but not limited to:
Surfacing
Surface markings – bays, directional arrows, yellow lines and wording,
All car park signage
Pay & display machines
Boundary fencing
Lighting
Grassed areas and vegetation
7.10. This is necessary in order to move towards a most cost effective programme
of annual planned maintenance and reducing the amount of reactive maintenance.
Facilities
167.11. The Council is committed to providing quality facilities in all its car parks to
maximise the parking experience of its local community as well as the many visitors
and holiday makers that come to the various locations across West Dorset.
7.12. The facilities include:
Signage – there is to be clear signage to assist motorist to park correctly,
how to use the various payment channels and make the appropriate payment
in order to avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.
Wide car parking bays – parking bay dimensions have not been amended
since the 1960’s and cars have increased in size. The Council’s car parks will
therefore have some wider bays introduced.
Payment channels – motorists can pay using coins, credit / debit cards and
via the pay by telephone solution.
Electric vehicles – The Council currently has three electric vehicle charging
unit installed in public car parks (East Street Bridport, Trinity Street
Dorchester and Charmouth Road Lyme Regis).
Disabled parking – Every car park has dedicated bays for vehicles that are
displaying a valid blue badge.
Campervans – a number of the car parks will have larger parking bays in
order to accommodate campervans.
Coaches and HGVs – some car parks have dedicated parking areas that
accommodate coaches and HGVs.
Family bays – some car parks will have larger bays that are specifically for
families who need additional space when visiting this seaside resort and its
attractions.
Lighting – each car park should have adequate lighting
Litter bins – each car park will have recycling / litter bins
Directional signage – signs will be placed in the car parks to assist motorists
to find information about their destinations once they have parked their
vehicles, e.g. shops, cinema and seafront.
CCTV – this is a valuable tool enabling the Council to remotely monitor the
car parks.
Summary
7.13. Annual reviews will be undertaken to ensure that the policy is appropriate
following experience of operating the car parks and taking on board comments
received from the public and other stakeholders.
7.14. This will ensure that the policy will assist the Council in delivering excellent
car parking services for the benefit of West Dorset’s community.
17Operational Protocol Policy
Introduction
7.1. West Dorset District Council undertake patrols and carry out necessary enforcement
of its off street car parks for the following principal reasons:
To reduce town centre congestion by providing car parks that are easy to
use and conveniently located to the town centres and other locations /
attractions throughout West Dorset.
To assist the various towns commercial viability in managing short stay
car parks in order to maximise the turnover of parking spaces and to
achieve high occupancy rates.
To provide a security presence in all the Council car parks
To ensure the parking provision is fair and encourages sustainable travel
choices.
7.2. Our aim is for a fair and proportionate regime, which benefits all those who live, work
or visit West Dorset for pleasure.
7.3. The purpose of this document is to inform the public of the District’s car park
enforcement procedures. It does not include privately operated car parks.
7.4. This Operational Protocol will look at contravention codes and document any
exemptions that may apply to them.
7.5. It is important to note that whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy
of the information contained within this document, the policies and practises set out
herein may be subject to change.
7.6. Whilst we aim to ensure that the information within this document is up to date and
accurate, drivers should refer to the relevant parking and traffic signs to enable them
to make informed decisions when parking their vehicle. Drivers should also check
the conditions of any permit, badge or dispensation issued when using the Council’s
car parks.
7.7. The Council will not be held responsible for any inaccuracies in this document.
Parking enquiries may be made via Parking Admin (01305 838000) or by emailing
parkingadmin@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk.
Glossary of terms
Term Description
CEO Civil Enforcement Officer
This is a statutorily defined period of time where a vehicle committing a
GRACE PERIOD contravention will not receive a PCN. This should not be confused with
an observation period.
NTO Notice to Owner
An observation period is an amount of time during which a vehicle is
OBSERVATION TIME
monitored to ensure that it is complying with the appropriate restrictions.
PATROL Parking and Traffic Controls Outside London
PCN Penalty charge notice
HHCT Hand held computer terminal
TPT Traffic Penalty Tribunal
18Traffic Regulation Orders are by-laws which define parking rules and
TRO regulations. West Dorset District Council has a TRO governing the
terms and conditions of the use of its car parks.
Legislation
7.8. West Dorset District Council enforces car park regulations under the Road Traffic
Regulation Act 1984 and the Traffic Management Act 2004.
7.9. The Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA 2004) was introduced to bring London and
non-London enforcement authorities into line and provide for greater consistency of
traffic enforcement across the country while allowing for parking policies to suit local
circumstances.
7.10. The TMA 2004 seeks to ensure that the system is fair to the motorist and it is
effective in enforcing parking contraventions when they occur.
Training
7.11. The Traffic Management Act 2004 (Part 6) highlights the importance of
continuous professional development for all staff.
7.12. As part of This Council’s enforcement operation all Civil Enforcement Officers
(CEOs) that patrol and enforce the Council’s car parks are required to have
achieved a recognised national qualification.
7.13. The qualifications that are available to CEOs are as follows:
City and Guilds Level 2 Award for Parking Enforcement Officers
(WAMITAB) Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board Level 2
Award for Parking Enforcement Officers
Deregulation Act 2015 “Grace Period”
7.14. The Deregulation Act 2015 requires that a “grace period” of 10 minutes be
applied to paid for time and free parking bays from 1st April 2015. The grace period
is only applicable where the requirements of the bay have been satisfied first i.e. a
parking session has been purchased, the vehicle holds the relevant permit,
undertaking an exempted activity, etc. If these requirements have not been met the
vehicle will be subjected to enforcement in line with the established protocol for that
restriction.
7.15. A vehicle parking outside of controlled hours is considered to have parked at
a time when no restrictions are in force and therefore no requirements to satisfy. The
10 minute grace period will apply for the first 10 minutes of the next controlled
parking period. For example, if the car park chargeable hours apply from 8.00am to
6.00pm and the vehicle was parked before 8.00am, the grace period would still
apply and therefore no PCN should be issued until 8.11am.
7.16. It’s important to note that the grace period only applies to “designated parking
places” and not yellow lines, or other restricted areas within a car park.
Issuing a penalty charge notice (PCN)
7.17. Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) can be issued by Civil Enforcement
Officers (CEOs) patrolling the district’s car parks on foot, by bicycle or moped. A
PCN issued in a car park will be served by either being affixed to the vehicle or
by being handed to the person appearing to be the driver. In instances where a
19vehicle is driven away after the PCN has been printed or where the CEO is
prevented from serving it, the PCN may be served by post.
7.18. It should also be noted that a CEO is not required to locate the driver of
the vehicle before issuing a PCN, as this is not practical or necessary to the
issuing of a PCN. A vehicle that is observed to be parked in contravention is
likely to receive a PCN.
7.19. Drivers should not ask CEOs to cancel a PCN once it has been issued as
they are not authorised to do this. CEOs will however, make a note of any
conversation between themselves and a driver in their notebooks. These
notebooks are used when considering a challenge to a PCN.
Challenging a penalty charge notice
7.20. Motorists in receipt of a PCN are legally entitled to challenge the Notice, if
they believe that a legal exemption applies or feel that there are mitigating
circumstances that need to be considered. The process for this is detailed on the
PCN itself. Any motorist challenging a PCN should ensure that they provide full
details of the reason for their challenge, with supporting evidence where
appropriate.
7.21. An application form for challenging your PCN online can be found at
https://www.dorsetforyou.com/article/418907/Online-Challenge-of-a-Penalty-
Charge-Notice
7.22. Alongside the legal grounds for challenging a PCN, the Council will
consider any mitigating factors presented by the motorist. The Council has the
discretion to cancel any PCNs where they feel the mitigation presented is
sufficient to warrant the cancellation of the PCN.
7.23. Should the motorist be unsuccessful in challenging the PCN with the
Council following the issue of the Notice to Owner (NTO), they are entitled to
refer their case the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, where the case will be considered by
an independent adjudicator who is legally qualified (e.g. a solicitor or a barrister).
7.24. For more information about the Traffic Penalty Tribunal please visit their
website www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/
Clamping and removal
7.25. West Dorset District Council does not undertake widespread clamping or removal
of vehicles. The Council does however take a firm but fair approach and will
continue to take strong action against the minority of worst offenders.
7.26. It should be noted however that the bailiff company employed by this Council to
execute warrants issued by Northampton County Court that are related to a
registered outstanding parking fine debt may immobilise a vehicle as part of their
enforcement process. (NB Northampton County Court process all applications for
warrants associated with parking enforcement from local authorities in England and
Wales)
Yellow lines
7.27. Double yellow lines within a car park indicate that waiting is not permitted at any
time.
207.28. It should be noted that vehicles displaying a Blue Badge are not allowed to park
on yellow lines within a car park.
Car Park Permit / Season Ticket
7.29. Conditions of Use
7.29.1. By signing the application the applicant is confirming that they will abide
with the Conditions of Use.
7.29.2. Permit holders must adhere to all regulations within the car park
7.29.3. Permits are issued at the Council’s discretion and may not be issued to
anyone with any outstanding Penalty Charge Notices
7.29.4. A permit must be prominently displayed on the windscreen at all times
7.29.5. If you change your vehicle you must contact the parking office
immediately, the new permit will not be issued if the old permit is not
returned.
7.29.6. All permits processed will start from the 1st day of any given month.
7.29.7. Permits can only be issued for either a 6 or 12 month period and will cover
whole months only.
7.29.8. Permits can only be used in the car parks specified by the car park group,
this will be explained upon issue.
PCN charges
7.30. Differential Charging was introduced on 1 July 2007 on the basis that
there should be different charges for more serious and less serious
contraventions. As a result of this, penalty charges are now separated into two
levels: Higher and Lower.
Higher Penalty Charge Lower Penalty Charge
£70 – Full Charge £50 – Full Charge
£35 – 14 day discount rate £25 – 14 day discount rate
£105 – Charge Certificate £75 – Charge Certificate
Overstaying period paid for PCN
7.31. Where a PCN has been issued for overstaying the period paid for, by up
to a maximum of 1 hour, the Council will accept a discounted payment of £12.
Contravention codes
7.32. A full list of standard PCN codes relating to car parks can be found at the end of
this document, below is a description of a selection of contravention codes that are
enforced in West Dorset District Council.
7.33. Please be aware that not all PCNs require an observation time and that
observation times will vary depending on the contravention
Penalty
Code Contravention Description Location
Charge
21Parked in a loading place or bay during restricted hours
70 Higher Off-street loading areas
without loading
Parked in an electric vehicles’ charging place during
71 Higher Off-street car parks
restricted hours without charging
73 Parked without payment of the parking charge Lower Off-street car parks
Using a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the
74 sale or offering or exposing for sale of goods when Higher Off-street car parks
prohibited
80 Parked for longer than permitted Lower Off-street car parks
81 Parked in a restricted area in a car park Higher Off-street car parks
82 Parked after the expiry of paid for time Lower Off-street car parks
Parked in a car park without clearly displaying a valid pay &
83 Lower Off-street car parks
display ticket or voucher or parking clock
Parked with payment made to extend the stay beyond initial
84 Lower Off-street car parks
time
Parked without clearly displaying a valid permit where
85 Higher Off-street car parks
required
86 Not parked correctly within the markings of a bay or space Lower Off-street car parks
Parked in a designated disabled person’s parking place
87 without displaying a valid disabled person’s badge in the Higher Off-street car parks
prescribed manner
Vehicle parked exceeds maximum weight or height or
89 Higher Off-street car parks
length permitted
Off-street car parks. “one hour”
Re-parked in the same car park within one hour after may be varied to another time
90 Lower
leaving period or “the prescribed time
period”
Parked in a car park or area not designated for that class of
91 Higher Off-street car parks
vehicle
92 Parked causing an obstruction Higher Off-street car parks
93 Parked in car park when closed Lower Off-street car parks
Off-street car parks. “two” may
Parked in a pay & display car park without clearly displaying
94 Lower be varied to another number or
two valid pay and display tickets when required
“multiple”
Parked in a parking place for a purpose other than that
95 Lower Off-street car parks
designated
96 Parked with engine running where prohibited Lower Off-street car parks
7.34. A full list of contravention codes can be found at PATROL’s website
http://www.patrol-uk.info/patrol/info/1/parking/23/contravention_codes/2
The PCN Process
7.35. Following the issue of a PCN the ability of paying a discounted amount (50%) is
allowed up to 14 days after which the full penalty charge is payable.
227.36. If a challenge in writing is received within the discount period the ‘clock’ will stop
until a decision is reach and it highly likely that should the challenge be rejected
that another 14 days will be given in order to pay the discounted amount.
7.37. If neither payment nor a challenge is received within 28 days a Notice to Owner
will be issued and the Full Penalty Charge is required to be paid. It is possible to
make a formal representation within 28 days and again the ‘clock’ stops until a
decision has been made.
7.38. Should the representation be rejected than either the payment of the full penalty
charge has to be made or an Application is lodged with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal
for an Appeal to be heard within 28 days.
7.39. If an Appeal has been lodged then the ‘clock’ stops until a decision by the Traffic
Penalty Tribunal has been made.
7.40. If neither is made within the 28 days then a Charge Certificate will be issued
increasing the penalty charge by 50%
7.41. If the Traffic Penalty Tribunal refuses the Appeal (the issue of the PCN is upheld)
then the full penalty charge is required to be paid within 28 days or a Charge
Certificate will be issued increasing the penalty charge by 50%
7.42. Should the Charge Certificate not be paid within 14 days then the Council will
register the unpaid penalty charge as a debt with Northampton County Court
(Traffic Enforcement Centre).
7.43. Once the debt has been registered then the Council on behalf of the Court will
issue an Order for Recovery and the cost to register the debt (currently £7) will be
added to the penalty charge.
7.44. A full flow chart of the PCN process can be found on PATROL’s web site
http://www.patrol-uk.info/patrol/info/1/parking.
Debt Recovery Process
7.45. Should the Order for Recovery not be paid then the Court will issue a warrant and
the Council will issue this to its appointed Bailiff to recovery. Please note that the
Bailiff Fees will be added to the penalty charge.
7.46. If the Penalty Charge Notice has not been cancelled and no payment has been
received and all the above processes have been pursued then the Council has no
option other than to appoint Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs) to collect the outstanding
debts on its behalf.
7.47. Bailiffs can only act when in receipt of a Warrant that has been issued by the
Traffic Enforcement Centre (Northampton County Court).
7.48. The Council believes that the debtor has had sufficient warning that this debt
recovery action will occur if the outstanding debt is not paid. In addition to the
Penalty Charge Notice the Council issues, two other enforcement notices prior to
two enforcement notices being issued by Northampton County Court.
7.49. It should be recognised that once a Warrant has been issued to an Enforcement
Agent then the Council should no longer get involved as it is a matter between the
debtor and the enforcement agent, although in exceptional circumstances the
Council may take the decision to intervene.
23Notice Processing Guidelines
POLICIES FOR THE ENFORCEMENT AND CANCELLATION OF PENALTY
CHARGE NOTICES
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. West Dorset District Council has prepared the following policy guidance in respect of
Civil Parking Enforcement. The guidelines in this document are intended to inform
the public and provide guidance to council employees working in the enforcement of
parking regulations.
1.2. This is consistent with current best practice and aims to provide clarity, consistency
and transparency within the enforcement process, compliance the Department of
Transport’s Parking Policy and Enforcement Operational Guidance to Local
Authorities and with the aspirations of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal and the Local
Government Ombudsman.
1.3. What is important about these guidelines is that they represent a foundation upon
which fairness and discretion can be applied. The importance of flexibility in these
matters has been recognised by the courts and, as a consequence, decisions made
by councils must not be fettered by being unduly formulaic.
1.4. The policies address the following:
Observation times for enforcement staff
The statutory grounds upon which representations may be made
Mitigating circumstances
The acceptance or rejection of representations
1.5. It is important to recognise that each case will be considered on its own merits,
matters of proportionality, objectivity, fairness and reasonableness should be
paramount.
1.6. These policies will be subject to ongoing review.
24STANDARD CONTRAVENTION CODES, PENALTY CHARGE LEVEL &
OBSERVATION TIMES
Differential
Observation Time
Code Contravention Penalty
& Notes Charge level
Parked in a loading area
GV 10 min*
70 during restricted hours without Higher
PMC 5 min*
reasonable excuse
Parked without payment of the
73 10 min Lower
parking charge
Using a vehicle in a parking
place in connection with the
74 0 min Higher
sale or offering or exposing for
sale goods when prohibited
Parked for longer than the
80 10 min Lower
maximum period permitted
Parked in a restricted area in a
81 0 min Higher
car park
Parked after the expiry of time
82 10 min paid for in a pay & display** Lower
car park
Parked in a pay & display** car
83 5 min park without clearly displaying Lower
a valid pay & display ticket
Parked with additional
payment made to extend the
84 5 min Lower
stay beyond time first
purchased
Parked in a permit bay without
85 5 min clearly displaying a valid Higher
permit
Parked beyond the bay
86 5 min Lower
markings
Parked in a designated
disabled person’s parking
87 0 min space without displaying a Higher
valid disabled person’s badge
in the prescribed manner
Vehicle parked exceeds
89 0 min maximum weight and/or height Higher
permitted in the area
Re-parked within one hour of
90 0 min leaving a bay or space in a car Lower
park
Parked in an area not
91 5 min designated for that class of Higher
vehicle
92 0 min Parked causing an obstruction Higher
Parked in a pay & display car
park without clearly displaying
94 10 min Lower
two valid pay and display
tickets when required.
25Parked in a parking place for a
purpose other than the
95 0 min Lower
designated purpose for the
parking place
Parked with engine running
96 0 min Lower
where prohibited
*GV = Goods Vehicle - 10 min observation.
*PMC = Private Motor Car including estate cars – 5 min observation.
An ‘instant’ PCN may always be issued in circumstances where the Civil Enforcement
Officer concerned has evidence, other than a period of observation, which supports the
action of issuing the PCN without observing the vehicle for the minimum periods
indicated.
** Visitors are not permitted time to obtain change away from the immediate area of the
P&D machine or car park. Civil Enforcement Officers should observe queues at ticket
machines and/or pedestrians who may be seeking change or returning to the vehicle in
question, before issuing a Penalty Charge Notice.
STATUTORY GROUNDS TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS
The Traffic Management Act 2004; Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England)
Representations and Appeals Regulations 2007
MAY ACCEPT REPRESENTATIONS MAY REJECT REPRESENTATIONS
SG1 The contravention did not occur:
SG1.1 where the motorist claims they were loading/unloading
If the vehicle was parked in a designated loading Where loading is prohibited-;
bay within a car park and that a receipt is in car parks: (except when depositing materials
produced. in recycling bins)
If a valid pay & display ticket was not purchased
first.
NOTES
SG1.2 where the motorist claims that a pay & display ticket machine was faulty
If service records confirm a fault or that the If there was another ticket machine nearby
machine had been taken out of service at that was working correctly at the time.
the time of the contravention. If there is no record of the machine being
If there is reasonable doubt because faulty or taken out of service.
evidence is not available to confirm that a If there is reasonable doubt because
machine was working at the time (test evidence confirms that other visitors had
ticket) and there was not another ticket been able to purchase tickets during the
machine nearby which was operating relevant period.
correctly.
NOTES
26MAY ACCEPT REPRESENTATIONS MAY REJECT REPRESENTATIONS
SG1.3 where the motorist claims that the restriction is not clearly signed or marked
If signs and / or markings are missing or If site visit records or photographs establish
unclear that signs and / or markings are correct and
If signs and markings are inconsistent with consistent with each other and the Traffic
each other and / or the Traffic Regulation Regulation Order.
Order or appropriate legislation
NOTES
SG1.4 where motorist was carrying out construction or demolition works etc.
If evidence confirms that the motorist was In all other circumstances
simply loading/unloading (see policy SG1.1,
above)
If a valid waiver to park at the location in
question had been issued and was on
display in the vehicle.
If works are of a statutory nature or are
exempted from restrictions by a Traffic
Regulation Order or appropriate legislation
If it can be proven that works were an
emergency.
NOTES
SG1.5 where the motorist claims that PCN was not served (i.e. PCN not found
attached to vehicle or handed to driver)
If the Civil Enforcement Officer’s pocket If the Civil Enforcement Officer’s notes or
book and / or HHCT notes confirm that the photographs confirm that a PCN was
vehicle drove away before a PCN could be correctly served, i.e. handed to the motorist
served, i.e. PCN not handed to the driver or or fixed to their vehicle
fixed to the vehicle.
Service of PCN’s by Post
If the PCN is not served at the time of issue by affixing to the windscreen of the vehicle
concerned or by handing it to the driver, there are two circumstances when a PCN may be
served by post (within 14 days of the contravention);
1. If the CEO has been prevented, for example by force, threats of force, obstruction or
violence, from serving the PCN by either affixing it to the vehicle or giving it to the person
who appears to be in charge of the vehicle.
The threat of violence or force directed towards the CEO must be such that the officer
concerned had substantial reason to fear that any attempt to serve the notice would result
in them being assaulted. Details of the incident must be record in hand held computer or
pocket notebook and the incident reported to the police.
2. If the CEO had started to issue the PCN, i.e. has completed his/her observations and
had either started to write the PCN or put the data into the hand held computer and would,
in other circumstances, have to cancel the PCN, but did not have enough time to finish or
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