Cornwall to have new parking rules

12:30pm Wednesday 24th September 2008

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A new procedure to Civil Parking Enforcement is being introduced in Cornwall to allow people under special circumstances to apply for a waiver of the on street parking restrictions.

The new process will mean that anyone with an occasional need to park, perhaps to unload or access equipment in a vehicle, where parking restrictions exist – who is currently at risk of receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) – will soon be able to apply for a temporary waiver from Wednesday 1st October.

On street parking enforcement is undertaken by Cornwall County Council in partnership with Carrick District Council and Restormel Borough Council.

Cornwall County Council Civil Parking Enforcement Principal Engineer Kate Dixon said “We recognise that occasionally circumstances occur when a business or resident needs to park where there are parking restrictions in place. For example, a builder may need constant access to equipment and plant and he may not be able to unload equipment and then park his vehicle in an unrestricted area. In order to help people in these and other similar circumstances a new procedure is being introduced to allow people to apply for waivers to prevent them from being issued with Penalty Charge Notices”.

Ten working days notice will need to be given, under normal circumstances, in order to receive the approval from the Council and the 10 day notice period starts from the date of receipt of the completed form.

The information required on the form includes details of the applicant, the vehicle to be parked, location, period of time and the reasons why a parking waiver is required. Waivers are issued in relation to specific sites and time periods with no general waivers available.

Each request is investigated and the applicant will be required to adhere to the conditions of the waiver.

Charges apply to each application to cover the administrative costs as there will need to be a site inspection by a council officer to confirm the suitability of the proposed site or otherwise. Costs of waivers are as follows: one to two days waiver is £15, three to six days waiver is £25 and a waiver for seven days or more is £35.

Dispensations for parking and a waiver can be issued for the following reasons: · Building/maintenance/repair works where close proximity to the site is essential.

· Erection/dismantling of scaffolds.

· Vehicles essential to filming operations.

· Special events.

· Other circumstances in which the Council may reasonably regard the requirement to be essential.

Dispensations for parking will not generally be granted where they: · would adversely affect disabled or doctors bays; taxi ranks or bus stops.

· are within a loading restricted area during the restricted periods.

· are located within 50 metres of a signal controlled junction.

· are located on the entry/exit to pedestrian crossing markings.

· would result in the need to park on a footway.

· may cause danger to pedestrians or other road users.

· would cause traffic disruption.

All requests for a waiver will be coordinated with other known activities on the highway network such as roadworks, special events - including for example parades - to ensure that traffic disruption is minimised.

Loading and unloading activities can legally take place at many locations without the need for a waiver although people should always check the signs and lines to ensure that this is permitted. Once these activities have finished the vehicle should be parked in a car park or an area where restrictions will not be contravened.

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