Q. Will Parking Regulations be changing under DPE?
A. No, the regulations are remaining the same, the only change is in who enforces them.
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 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.
To many people, cars are the source of accidents; cars littering streets have a negative impact on the environment of residential streets; and traffic trapped in congestion causes severe pollution.
Consequently, the Council has adopted policies to control the use and the parking of cars throughout the town while still accommodating access to all the attractions of the town 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 1 October 2005, one body, the Borough 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 nation-wide have adopted the powers, including the whole of London. Locally, Norwich, Cambridge, Peterborough and all authorities in Essex are already established as decriminalised parking enforcement areas.
Q. Where are you introducing DPE?
A. DPE covers most roads and car parks within the borough of Ipswich and operates within a ‘Special Parking Area’ (SPA). In Ipswich, this will cover the entire town except for the A14, which is covered by the police; the Park & Ride sites are outside the Borough boundary.
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 with the frequency of patrols adjusted for different areas of the borough 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. DPE starts on October 1, 2005
From this date the Police will cease to have any powers 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 town. The parking controls and restrictions which applied in the streets will not change but we have taken a tougher line on enforcing them.
Parking Attendants issue Penalty Charge Notices to those cars contravening the on-street parking regulations. The same team also cover pay and display parking facilities both on street and in car parks.
The Penalty Charge is £60. The charge is reduced to £30 if payment is made within 14 days and increased to £90 if payment is not received within two months.
The Council has enforced the parking controls and restrictions rigorously from day one for everyone's benefit and will continue to do so.
The new team of recognisable Parking Attendants will enforce the restrictions.
Priority is given to areas where illegal parking causes the worst problems. Their patrols also include council-operated car parks.
Illegally parked vehicles 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.
Road markings such as yellow lines, loading bays, bus stops and resident’s zones, indicate that some sort of restriction applies. Notices nearby will always explain what the restriction is. If in doubt check the notice. You are responsible for making sure that your vehicle is legally parked and not causing an obstruction. If you are parked legally, you will not get a parking ticket.
Q. If parking is now decriminalised, does this mean I can 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 DPE 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 DPE?
A. Local parking enforcement will keep Ipswich moving, reduce dangerous and inconsiderate parking, discourage parking in bus lanes, assist loading and unloading, improve conditions in resident parking areas and reduce abuse of blue badge holders parking bays.
Q. What are the roles of Councils – who’s doing what?
A. The County Council has applied for the powers to undertake DPE. The County and Borough Councils have agreed that the Borough Council will undertake enforcement as agents to the County Council by providing parking attendants. Following guidelines issued by the councils, Parking Attendants will be responsible for issuing Penalty Charge Notices (parking tickets) to people who ignore parking restrictions and park inappropriately.
Q. Why is Ipswich Borough Council, rather than the County Council, going to enforce?
A. Ipswich Borough Council already enforces parking in car parks and the Residents’ parking zones. Because we have an existing team, we are best placed to expand the existing operation, having the expertise and equipment to do so. Decriminalisation will also allow local councillors to decide what waiting and loading restrictions are required in response to community needs, and so provide the appropriate enforcement activity.
The county council will support Ipswich Borough Council both technically and financially as required to ensure that the most efficient and cost effective service is delivered to the public.
The enforcement will be in accordance with the policy and practice requirements determined by Suffolk County Council.
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 payment 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. How will the Parking Attendants differ from Traffic Wardens?
A. Parking Attendants will look similar to Traffic Wardens but the Borough Council, rather than the police employs them. Parking Attendants will issue a different type of parking ticket called a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) rather than the Fixed Penalty Notices issued by Traffic Wardens.
Q. Will the police be responsible for any parking enforcement?
A. The Police will not be responsible for enforcing any permanent waiting, loading or parking restrictions. They will still enforce some temporary waiting restrictions such as areas marked with “police no waiting” cones, at special events, e.g. football matches etc.
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 Parking Attendants?
A. All Parking Attendants 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.
Parking Attendants will not have targets and will not be paid any bonuses for issuing a higher number of tickets. All parking attendants will undergo comprehensive training to achieve nationally recognised standards of competence.
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 reach car parks and parking bays.
Q. Do you expect more people to use car parks?
A. It is expected that improved parking enforcement will encourage more drivers to use car parks or pay and display parking on street.
Q. I am a blue badge holder, how will the changes affect me?
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 more effectively monitored 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 parked 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 admin fee will be payable.
Q. Will residential areas have an expectation of more robust enforcement?
A. Residents 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 – the areas will be enforced as required.
You can apply for a permit in the usual way through Ipswich Parking Service, using your original Council Tax Bill as proof of residency.
Q. Does my Residents 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, payment, 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 delay.
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 takeaway food or selecting a video 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.
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?
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 or unload goods.
Q. Can I get a permit to park on yellow lines whilst carrying out building works etc?
A. In certain circumstances a waiver can be issued for specified day/s or time/s to allow for certain activities such as building works or removals etc.
Details of the application form and costs can be obtained from the Parking Office.
Q. Will I receive a PCN for parking on the pavement or verge?
A. You can receive a PCN if you park partly or wholly on a pavement or verge that is adjacent to yellow lines. If you park a HGV on a pavement or verge you may receive a PCN even if no yellow lines exist. Parking on footways obstructs the way for pedestrians and causes damage to the surface and equipment underneath.
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. I have a "disabled badge" and all the "free" spaces are full. Do I have to pay the normal tariff?
A. It depends where you are. Check the tariff board carefully. In Off-Street car parks, you must purchase a ticket if you wish to park in one of the standard bays because only the dedicated reserved bays are free of charge for "disabled badge" holders and then only when visibly displaying the badge and clock.
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. Please see the "Season Tickets" Page for prices and details of the locations for which Season Tickets are available.
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 on Season Tickets.
Resident Parking FAQs
Q.I live in a Resident Parking Zone. Can I get a second permit?
A.No. There is a strict limit on one permit per household. This is because of the limited amount of physical space in each street.
Q.How can I get residents parking extended to my street?
A.Ask your neighbours to see if there is a consensus. Then write a letter to the Transport & Engineering Department or email them directly.
Q.In the Residents Parking Scheme am I limited to parking in my street?
A.No. If there's not a space in your street, then you are able to park in adjacent streets (provided there are Resident Parking boxes) as long as they are in the same zone as your street. Please see Resident Parking Zones page for further streets.
Q.I got booked for parking in a limited waiting area, yet my permit was on display.
A.You must be parked in a resident parking box to make use of the permit. Check the signs adjacent to the boxes carefully. Please see the "Parking Signs" Page to see different signs, and which boxes/bays you may use.
Have you got any more questions? Email car.parks@ipswich.gov.uk and we will try to answer them.
Related Links
Ipswich Park & Ride
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