titlepage/contents pg 1-16 - British Parking Association

120 Chapter 7Designated residential parking signs.from commuters and shoppers ismost intense. However,increasingly there are areaswhere the problem is lesstractable, for example, where:●The number of cars ownedby residents exceeds thekerbside space available,making it difficult forresidents to find a parkingspace near to their homes,and leading in extreme casesto double parking anddangerous parking atjunctions; and● The area has restaurants,hotels and other facilitiesattracting visitors in theevening or at night.In these cases the hours ofcontrol may need to beextended, and this hasimplications for enforcementresources.Parking for residents should notbe restricted as to length of stay,otherwise residents will beforced to drive their cars awayfrom the area simply to avoid aparking penalty, thus generatingunwanted traffic.Allocation of PermitsCriteria must be established forthe issue of residents’ (andother) permits. The mainpurpose is to ensure thatresidents have a good chance offinding a parking space close totheir home, enabling them toleave their vehicle there even ifthere are restrictions on parkingby non-residents. For this benefitto be realised the criteria forissue must relate to balancingsupply and demand. This cannoteasily be predicted prior to theintroduction of a residents’parking scheme, and soimplementation must include areview of the scheme after asettling down period.If after the introduction of aresidents parking scheme,supply of parking space isadequate to meet residents’parking demands, a review of thespace allocation may be requiredto:● Allow issue to households ofmultiple permits, based onproof of residence andvehicle ownership;● Convert a proportion ofresidents’ bays to otherusers, such as short staybays, business permitholders; and● Convert some parking baysfor footway or amenity uses.If, on the other hand, demand ishigher than can comfortably beaccommodated, a review forreducing demand will be needed.Most local authorities have optedfor a simple qualification ofhaving the main residence withintheir area. This can lead to thenumber of permits far exceedingthe supply of parking space,especially in areas of housingmulti-occupation. There is nolegislation that prevents a localauthority from rationing permitsby number or some othermethod. The options for demandreduction include:●●One permit per dwelling unitat a basic charge, with ahigher charge for the secondor subsequent permits;One per household using theCouncil Tax register to definea household; and● Excluding those with offstreetparking facilities fromhaving permits.In areas of parking pressuremost residents consider that it isfairer that permits should belimited in this way.Permit chargesPart of setting charges relates tothe issuing of residents’ parkingpermits. Where new schemesare being introduced thepromoters always suffer theproblem that people perceive thespace outside their house wherethey park their car as a freeextension of their property rights.A number of authorities haveintroduced residential parking onthe basis of no charge. Thisseems to set a dangerousprecedent for two reasons:● It is difficult subsequently tointroduce a charge; and