Car Parking FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will parking regulations be changing under Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE)?

A. Some new contraventions will be enforced but anyone found breaking them will initially be issued with a warning notice. 

Q. Why do parking controls exist?

A. Most people would like to use their cars when they want to, park close to their destination and have a space outside their homes on their return.

There is, however, too much demand for this type of use and just not enough space on the roads and in parking facilities to allow this to happen.

Crowded roads, traffic accidents, and cars cluttering up the streets all have a negative impact on the environment of the streets. In addition, traffic trapped in congestion causes severe pollution.

Consequently, the council has adopted policies to control the use and the parking of cars throughout the district while still accommodating access to all the attractions in the area and residential properties.

Q. Why are things changing?

A. The Council has a duty to manage the streets for the benefit of users and residents. Consequently controls and restrictions are introduced for reasons of safety, traffic flow, environment and ease of access.

The controls and restrictions require resources for enforcement so that the objectives of the controls can be achieved. The Police have not been able to provide the increased resources as restrictions have increased in number and size.

Recent legislation has encouraged local authorities to take on the responsibility for enforcement so that the transportation objectives can be achieved.

From the 31st of March 2008, one body, the District Council, will be accountable with responsibility for both the introduction of controls and restrictions and their enforcement.

Q. Do other areas have similar arrangements?

A. Many towns and cities nationwide have adopted the powers, including the whole of London. Locally, Wychavon is already established as a decriminalised parking enforcement area.

Q. Where are you introducing DPE?

A. DPE covers most roads and car parks within the Wyre Forest district and operates within a ‘Special Enforcement Area’ (SEA).

In the Wyre Forest area, this will cover the towns of Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport and outlying areas with Wyre Forest.

Enforcement could be carried out on any day and at any time that a waiting or parking restriction is in force. In practice, enforcement will usually be carried out within normal working hours and days however enforcement can happen 24 hours a day with the frequency of patrols adjusted for different areas of the district to meet local demands. Enforcement outside of these hours will be carried out in response to specific needs and demands subject to economic considerations.

Q. When do the new arrangements start?

A. The Traffic Management Act starts from the 31st of March 2008 

From this date the 1991 Road Traffic Act (RTA) and the Traffic Management Act (TMA) will start. This will allow the council to enforce yellow lines and other parking restrictions. All enforcement will be carried out by and on behalf of the Council.

The changes apply to all of the streets in the district. The parking controls and restrictions which applied in the streets will not be changed but we have taken a tougher line on enforcing them. However warning notices will initially be issued for two new contraventions.

Civil Inforcement Officers (CEO's) issue Penalty Charge Notices to those cars contravening the on street parking regulations. The same team also covers pay and display parking facilities both on street and in car parks.

The Penalty charge is set due to the seriousness of the contravention. The charge is reduced by 50% if payment is made within 14 days. It is increased if payment is not received within two months.

The Council will enforce the parking controls and restrictions rigorously from day one for everyone.

The new team of recognisable Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's) will enforce the restrictions.

Priority is given to areas where illegal parking causes the worst problems. Their patrols will include council-operated car parks.

Vehicles parked illegally cause congestion and slow down other road users. They also create inconvenience for everyone, including legitimate parkers, delivery vehicles, the emergency services, and bus users.

Q. If parking is now decriminalised, does this mean i park where i like?

A. No! Although parking offences have been decriminalised, other powers have been given to local authorities to allow them to enforce parking restrictions. The increased level of enforcement under Traffic Management Act (TMA) means that you are much more likely to receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if you contravene the regulations both on street and in car parks.

Q. What are the benefits of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) under the Traffic Management Act (TMA)?

A. Local parking enforcement will keep the district moving, reduce dangerous and inconsiderate parking, discourage parking in bus lanes, assist loading and unloading, improve conditions in residents' parking areas and reduce abuse of blue badge holders parking bays.

Q. Where does the money go?

A. Local authorities are not profit-making organisations. They are there to provide a service to the local community. It is a requirement of Central Government that DPE must be a self-financing scheme. By law, income from the payments of Penalty Charge Notices is received by the Council and primarily used to fund reasonable costs of enforcement.

There are strict regulations on how the income can be spent. After the costs of enforcement have been paid, we will continue to invest any surplus funds for the provision and maintenance of on and off street parking facilities. Thereafter, the Council may consider support to public transport initiatives.

Surplus money cannot be added to the general council funds. Any surplus will be used by the authority to improve traffic conditions and must be spent in accordance with legislation.

Q. How much is it costing to set up the scheme

A. Provision has been made in the annual budget for this so the costs are covered by the normal operating expenditure of the Council. As mentioned before, the system is required by law to be self-financing once it has been set up.

Q. Will the police be responsible for any parking enforcement?

The enforcement of moving vehicle offences and those parking offences that carry penalty points will remain the responsibility of the police. In addition they will continue to issue parking tickets for temporary waiting restrictions (shown by kerb side waiting restriction cones).

The police will continue to issue parking tickets for parking on pedestrian crossing zig -zags as this offence also carries penalty points.

Keeping footways clear where there are no parking restrictions will remain the responsibility of the police.

The police will also continue to deal with obstruction and all moving traffic offences and can take action against any vehicle where security or other traffic policing issues are involved.

Q. Will the issuing of tickets be down to the discretion of Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's)?

A. All Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's) will be required to follow the enforcement policy guidelines issued by the County Council. There is no set target for the number of parking tickets to be issued. They will be issued as and when required.

Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's) will not have targets and will not be paid any bonuses for issuing a higher number of tickets. All Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's) will undergo comprehensive training to achieve standard of competence that are nationally recognised .

Q. How do I avoid getting a PCN?

A. Motorists who don't contravene parking regulations will be unaffected by DPE. Look out for the lines, signs and notices when you park. These will tell you about any restrictions or charges in force. The Highway Code will help explain what the signs and lines mean.

Q. Will vehicles that are parked irresponsibly be clamped or towed away?

A. There is no intention at the moment to introduce tow away or clamping, but this is an option which could be considered in the future. However, the police still have powers to remove a vehicle under certain conditions.

Q. Will DPE make parking easier?

A. It will improve parking by ensuring that parking bays are not abused and that any time limits on the length of stay are observed. This will give more opportunities for parking as more spaces are available. Ensuring that inappropriate parking does not block roads and cause congestion will make it easier for everyone to access car parks and parking bays.

A. The blue badge scheme will continue to operate as before when parking on street. If you park in accordance with the blue badge scheme you will not receive a PCN. A booklet is supplied with every blue badge giving details of correct usage.

Within the Council car parks all blue badge users should check the tariff boards as regulations vary from car park to car park.

Q. Will there be any increase in the number of blue badge holder parking bays?

A. There are no plans to increase the number of blue badge holder parking bays as part of the introduction of DPE. The provision of blue badge holder parking is reviewed whenever changes are made to parking controls in the town. The blue badge holder parking spaces that currently exist will be monitored more effectively and enforced to ensure that only blue badge holders use them.

Q. Will this stop any abuse of blue badges?

A. Parking Attendants can report incidents back to the County Council for further action if they believe a blue badge is being used inappropriately. If you feel there is a persistent misuse of a blue badge you too can report it to Social Services. However, Parking Attendants can issue parking tickets to any vehicles parking inappropriately in blue badge holder parking bays.

Q. I am a medical professional and sometimes have to park on yellow lines to make urgent calls. Will I receive a PCN?

A. We will continue to operate the Certificate of Identification scheme currently available in Resident Parking areas. Provided you comply with the scheme rules you should not get a PCN. Dispensation notices may also be available upon application to the parking office, although a small administration fee will be payable.

Q. Will residential areas have an expectation of more robust enforcement?

A. Resident parking schemes will be enforced to a level designed to minimise inappropriate parking. Enforcement levels will be reviewed and adjusted periodically.

Q. How will it affect Residents Permit Holders?

A. There will be no change

You can apply for a permit in the usual way through Wyre Forest Parking Services, using your original council tax bill as proof of residency.

Q. Does my Resident's Permit entitle me to park outside my own property?

A. Public streets are for the passage of people and traffic and no one has a right to park on any specific part of the highway.

Technically, parking is an obstruction of the highway unless the Council makes provision for parking by introducing parking bays. Conditions may be applied to the parking bays, e.g. time limit, permit holders only, goods vehicles only, etc.

What the Council cannot do is to reserve the area outside specific properties for the owners of the property. This would give private rights over what is a public asset and would be unfair in respect of those properties where adjacent parking places cannot be provided.

Q. How will it affect businesses if passers by can’t stop to make a quick purchase?

A. Our primary aim is to keep traffic moving and avoid parking that causes unnecessary congestion and delays.

Areas of short-term parking such as outside local shops will receive better enforcement. As drivers will no longer be able to park for longer than permitted it will be easier to find a space when you need it. It should also be easier for businesses to load and unload.

Parking spaces are provided near businesses where practical. If parking restrictions are considered to be too onerous they can be reviewed.

Q. Can I park on a single yellow line to pick up a newspaper or buy a sandwich?

A. NO, unless outside of the times of the regulations in force. These will be shown on signs indicating the times of operation near to the kerbside. Parking for even short periods within these times is not permitted and you could be issued with a PCN.

Q. What happens if a person parks in a restricted area to grab fast food or a video?

A. They risk receiving a parking ticket. Buying take-away food or selecting a film is not a legitimate reason to park on yellow lines. Some sections of the main road network have restrictions that prohibit drivers from stopping except to allow passengers to get into and out of vehicles. If drivers park on these sections of road during the peak periods they also risk receiving a parking ticket.

Q. Why don’t commuters benefit?

A. They do. Commuters continue to pay to park as before, but will find that using the main routes through the town will be easier. Also, in time, surpluses may be spent on initiatives to help commuters such as Park & Ride.

Q. How will this help avoid footways being blocked by parked vehicles that cause problems for those with disabilities, the elderly and parents with prams and buggies?

A. Under DPE, vehicles parked inconsiderately on footways alongside roads with yellow lines will be issued parking tickets. Keeping footways clear where there are no parking restrictions will remain the responsibility of the police.

Q. Can I get a permit to park on the yellow lines outside my house or business?

A. No. There is no permit scheme that allows parking on yellow lines, however in some cases you may park for sufficient time as is necessary to load and unload goods.

Q. Can I get a permit to park on yellow line whilst carrying out building works etc?

A. In certain circumstances a dispensation can be issued for a specific day and time or days and times to allow certain activities such as building works or removals etc.

Details of the application form can be obtained from the Parking Office.

Q. Can a PCN be issued to a vehicle parked across or obstructing my driveway?

A. No, unless yellow lines or other parking restrictions are also in force. The Police will retain responsibility for dealing with these matters of obstruction.

Q. If I receive a PCN will I get penalty points on my driving licence?

A. No. Penalty points are received for certain driving offences dealt with by the Police under criminal law.

Q. Why is the price of parking (the tariff) so costly?

A. We aim to set the tariff to be in line with towns and cities in the region where similar facilities are available.

Q. Can I buy a season ticket for your car parks?

A. Yes. We sell season tickets for some of our larger car parks, at a discount, saving you money.

Q. Can I get a refund on a season ticket or resident parking permit?

A. Yes, but we will deduct a fee to cover our administration from the amount you can reclaim. You can reclaim to the nearest unused complete quarter on residents' permits, and the nearest unused complete week.

Q. I live in a residents' parking zone. Can I get a second permit?

A. NO. There is a strict limit of one permit per household. This is because of the limited amount of physical space in each street.

A. You must be parked in a residents' parking box to make use of the permit. Check the signs adjacent to the boxes carefully.

If you have any more questions, please email: worcestershirehub@wyreforestdc.gov.uk and we will try to answer them.