1.1 Guildford Borough and Surrey County Councils have agreed a joint Parking Strategy which covers issues highlighted in the Statutory Guidance accompanying Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.
1.2 The aim of Civil Parking Enforcement is to increase compliance with the restrictions. Our aim is to enforce the restrictions to meet the Borough and County Councils’ objectives and achieve high levels of compliance. The imposition of Penalty Charges is intended to deter motorists and not to raise income. The restrictions and the enforcement that support them are designed with the aim of:
1.3 Parking restrictions are regularly reviewed and new schemes introduced. There is a high level of consultation with stakeholders to ensure the restrictions are appropriate. To ensure the restrictions achieve their intended benefit, there are regular patrols. Enforcement is focused on areas where there is the greatest pressure on parking, highest volume of traffic and at times when the controls are most needed.
1.4 The Parking Strategy sets out the aim of providing short-stay spaces in the town centre and long-stay parking in outer car parks or at Park and Ride sites. Guildford has a successful network of Park and Ride sites which are provided as a joint venture between the County and Borough Councils. The number and size of sites are set to increase.
1.5 By encouraging motorists to park before arriving in the town centre, peak time congestion is reduced. The pricing and time limits on parking spaces are also designed to encourage a turnover of space for short-stay visitors.
1.6 Enforcement plays an important part in encouraging people to comply with parking policies and in achieving the objectives: reducing congestion and pollution.
1.7 Parking enforcement will assist by deterring parking on bus routes, bus stops and taxi ranks.
1.8 Long-stay car parks are provided close to stations.
1.9 The surplus from on-street pay and display is used to subsidise Park and Ride.
1.10 Both the County and Borough Councils seek to ensure access for those with disabilities. One of the main ways this is delivered is through the Blue Badge scheme. In Guildford, vehicles displaying a valid Blue Badge or other recognised disabled badge can park without time limit in:
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any on-street parking place,
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a blue badge parking place (some are subject to a time limit)
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any Council-run Pay and Display Car Park,
and, subject to a three-hour time limit and the correct display of a time clock, on
1.11 Particular priority is given to ensuring Blue Badge holders can park. Enforcement against those who abuse disabled facilities is a high priority.
1.12 Officers will work closely with the Police and the issuing authority to detect fraudulent use of Blue Badges. Where such misuse is detected, the strongest possible action will be taken.
1.13 There is a reciprocal arrangement to recognise disabled badges held by visitors from many other countries. The reciprocal arrangement applies to all EU member states and the badge should be in a similar format to the Blue Badge.
1.14 The Borough Council provides shopmobility on Level 3 of Bedford Road Multi Storey Car Park.
1.15 The Borough Council, working with the County Council, carries out regular reviews of parking and the restrictions. These reviews include detailed consultation with stakeholders.
1.16 In the central areas of Guildford the residents’ parking scheme reserves a proportion of space for residents’ permit holders, but also provides time-limited spaces for visitors. There are also permits for carers, doctors, businesses and residents’ visitors.
1.17 The restrictions and policies that are agreed are supported by regular enforcement patrols.
The Parking Services Manager
The Parking Office
Laundry Road
Guildford
Surrey,
GU1 4PX
Tel: 01483 444534
Email: parking@guildford.gov.uk