Decriminalised Parking Enforcement

Welcome to the Decriminalised Parking Enforcement Page.

Introduction

From February 2004 the enforcement of on street parking controls in Mid and South Bedfordshire became the responsibility of the local authorities.

Bedfordshire County Council took over responsibilty from the Police.  South Bedfordshire District Council operates the service on behalf of the County Council in Mid and South Bedfordshire, in partnership with contractor Vinci Park Services (UK) Limited.

The aim is to:

• improve parking control
• improve road safety
• reduce the congestion caused by inconsiderate parking          

Dispensation

The Council, in certain circumstances, will allow, by the issue of a dispensation, a vehicle or vehicles to park lawfully in what otherwise would be a contravention of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

As a result of the above and to deal with traffic flow needs, maintenance/ works or special events it will also from time to time suspend parking places either in total or for the purpose of reserving those places for particular vehicles and/or applicants.

A dispensation authorises a vehicle (or vehicles) to park in contravention of a TRO. It allows parking where alternative arrangements cannot be made for the following principal reasons:

• Loading/ unloading where this activity is either normally prohibited or the permitted period is insufficient
• Situations where alternative arrangements would be unsatisfactory       

A dispensation does not permit general ‘parking’. It does not allow the vehicle to remain in the restricted/prohibited area once the dispensation purpose has been fulfilled. At that time the motorist is required to park elsewhere and lawfully.

Based on the above qualifications and subject to Council Policy.

Dispensations can be issued for:

•  Furniture removals
•  Building/ maintenance/ repair works where close proximity to the site is essential
•  Goods deliveries in respect of which it is reasonable to allow longer than that normally permitted by the regulations
•  The hearse and chief mourners’ vehicles at funerals
•  The bridal and attendants’ vehicles at weddings
•  Vehicles essential to filming operations
•  Other circumstances in which the Council may reasonably regard the requirement to be essential       

Dispensations will not be issued for:

•  Applications where parking may adversely affect disabled/ doctors/ business bays, taxi ranks or bus stops
•  Applications where loading restrictions are in place if the dispensation is requested during the restricted period(s)
•  Locations within 50 metres of a signal controlled junction, the entry/ exit pedestrian crossing marking, on a footway and/or other locations where  parking may cause danger to pedestrians and road users, serious obstruction / traffic flow impediment
•  Requests where there are doubts concerning the validity of the application
•  Applications in respect of vehicles where dispensations have been issued more than twice within the four weeks before the date of the application
• Officers have discretion to vary this ban if it is considered it is otherwise reasonable to approve the application
          

Applications may be made by post, telephone, email or in person to this Section. Faxed application forms are acceptable. Applications should be received at least 2 working days before the required date to enable the Council to inspect the site if felt necessary before approval is given. However, officers have discretion to deal with more urgent applications if it is reasonable to do so. 
 

Suspension

It will be necessary from time to time to suspend parking places including residents’ and other permit bays. The authority to do this is provided under Sections 14 and 46 of RTRA 84.

The action is taken when it is considered necessary to suspend the parking places for (1) traffic movement and safety; (2) essential building/ maintenance works; (3) furniture removals; (4) filming; (5) special events and (6) weddings or funerals. The suspension may be in agreement with the reservation of the place(s) in connection with the activities listed above.

The suspension procedure includes:

•  Receiving notice of the requirement
•  Considering and, if appropriate, investigating the need for the suspension
•  Approving or rejecting the application
•  Obtaining payment if applicable
•  Recording the suspension
•  Warning local residents
•  Implementing the suspension on street
•  Removing the suspension equipment on street on completion       

Public suspension applications must be received no later than 10 working days before the required date in respect of resident and other permit places including blue badge holder’s places. 

Such notice is not mandatory in regard to emergencies or in respect of statutory undertakings under Section 14 of RTRA 84 although in the normal course of events the latter will be notified in advance.  Emergencies may include action taken by the police to suspend parking places immediately and without notice for matters of security and public safety. The police as a criminal matter would normally deal with a contravention of a police suspension.

Public Applications may be received in person, by telephone or by post but the application must be in writing; see sample below for your information.  Each application will be given a unique identification number and officers will consider applications on their merits. This may require the location to be visited.

It will be seen that the vehicles section (i.e. parking approval) box of the application requires the applicant to nominate specific vehicles. However, it will be appreciated that for building works there may be deliveries from supplies or other contractors and, clearly, the applicant will not pre-know the vehicles involved. Officers accordingly have discretion to allow such activities provided they are directly connected to the works. The suspension plates must make this abundantly clear.  The suspension does not permanently remove the legal status of the parking place. Its only affect is to remove it (or the designated part of it) from use during the suspension period. 

Parking Enforcement

Regulations and Legislation

•  Restrictive
•  Permitted
•  Yellow Lines
•  Loading and Unloading       

Blue Badge

•  Where to park
•  Where not to park
•  Applying for a blue badge
•  Where not to park
•  Applying for a blue badge        

Parking Tickets

•  Avoid getting a parking ticket
•  I’ve received a parking ticket – what shall I do?
•  Challenging your Penalty Charge Notice
          

How to pay a parking ticket

By Post Using a Crossed Cheque or Postal Order:

Payment may be made by crossed cheque or postal order made payable to Mid Beds District Council.  Write your Penalty Charge Notice number and your address on the back of the cheque/postal order.  Please do not send cash through the post.  Send your payment together with the completed payment slip to:

Vinci Park Services (UK) Ltd
PO Box 285
Brentford
TW8 9WJ

By Post Using a Credit/Debit Card:

Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, Delta, Maestro or Solo by completing the credit/debit card payment slip at the bottom of the PCN slip and sending it to: 

Vinci Park Services (UK) Ltd
PO Box 285
Brentford
TW8 9WJ

By Phone:

Payment may be made by phoning 020 8380 4220.  Please have your card with you when you telephone.

I want to challenge my Penalty Charge Notice

If you want to challenge your Penalty Charge Notice, in the first instance you need to write to:

Vinci Park Services (UK) Ltd
PO Box 285
Brentford
TW8 9WJ

For further information click onto the NPAS web site.

Who do I contact for what and where?

• I want a dispensation
• I want a blue badge