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Q: Can I pay my PCN by instalments?
A: Instalment plans are not available for payment of Penalty Charge Notices.
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Q: How do I challenge the parking fine (PCN)?
A: If you feel that you have grounds for an initial challenge, you should write in immediately to the address stated on the Penalty Charge Notice.
- Please do not pay the PCN if you intend to challenge it as payment is acceptance of liability.
- It normally takes no longer than 14 days for your challenge to be investigated and for you to receive notification.
- If we refuse your initial challenge, we will make a decision as to whether to re-offer the 14-day discount period dependent upon the circumstances of each individual case.
Visit the parking fines - appeals page for more information. NB: This only applies if your challenge was received within the initial 14-day discount period.
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Q: How do I pay a Penalty Charge Notice?
A: You can pay by phone, online or by post. Visit the pay a parking fine page for more information.
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Q: I am a tradesman where do I park?
A: In certain circumstances, the Council can issue a parking waiver, giving exemption from parking restrictions.
These are issued to, for example, a person in charge or removal vehicles or shop fitting vehicles to enable them to carry out their work in close proximity to the site. Visit the parking waivers page for more information.
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Q: I have received a letter regarding a parking ticket that I knew nothing about. What do I do?
A: Telephone Parking Services on 0845 6800153 who will advise you of the details of the Penalty Charge Notice.
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Q: I received a parking ticket and I am very unhappy. What can I do?
A: If you think that you should not have received a Penalty Charge Notice, or there are reasons why it should be cancelled then you can challenge the notice. Visit the parking fine - appeal page for details.
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Q: If my challenge is rejected what can I do next?
A: If your initial challenge is rejected the registered keeper must wait until they receive a statutory notice called a 'Notice to Owner' issued approximately 28 days after the PCN was served.
By completing this form you are submitting a formal representation.
You are entitled to make a formal representation only in writing at this stage for further consideration by Parking Services.
If your formal representation is rejected, you have the right to appeal to an independent Parking Adjudicator who will hear your appeal in person if you wish. Visit the parking fine - appeals page for more information.
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Q: Parking is a problem in our road. Can we have a residents’ parking scheme?
A: A residents’ parking scheme enables residents who have a permit to park in designated areas and/or gain exemption from the provisions of the waiting restrictions.
Visit the residential parking - permit schemes page for more information.
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Q: What are loading restrictions?
A: Loading restrictions are those that are determined by the Traffic Regulation Order, which restrict the time and location of being able to load commercial vehicles.
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Q: What do Parking Services do?
A: They provide a service to residents, businesses and visitors including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
Our aim is to ensure that the County’s limited on-street parking is shared fairly among users and that roads are safe and clear. We are responsible for public roads but there are some areas where we do not have authority. These are housing estates (managed by the housing department) and private roads or land. The police also retain responsibility for removing vehicles that are causing an obstruction.
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Q: What happens to the money collected from Penalty Charges Notices?
A: The charges go toward meeting the cost of processing the Penalty Charge Notices. Once these costs have been met, any surplus money is used by the Council and put towards the cost of highway improvements or transport-related projects.
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Q: What is a parking waiver?
A: A parking waiver is an exemption from parking restrictions and can be issued to any individual to company who need constant access to their vehicle and who's work demands that they park close to the premises.
Please note, a site visit will be carried out by a Civil Enforcement Officer to assess the suitability for a parking waiver. Visit the parking waivers page for further information.
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Q: What is a Traffic Regulation Order?
A: A Traffic Regulation Order is prepared by the Highways Authority to provide waiting restrictions on the highway.
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Q: What should I do if I receive a parking ticket (Penalty Charge Notice)?
A: If you receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) do not ignore it. If you feel that the PCN should not have been issued you can write to the County Council at the address stated on the notice. Visit the parking fine - appeals page for more information.
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Q: Where can disabled persons park with a Blue Badge?
A: Disabled persons with a valid Blue Badge can park in pay and display parking bays free of charge and on yellow lines for a maximum of 3 hours providing that they do not cause obstruction. If an obstruction is caused this will be dealt with by a Police Officer or Police Traffic Warden.
Penalty Charge Notices can be issued if the Blue Badge is incorrectly displayed; i.e. expiry date obscured. Visit the Blue Badge parking page for more information.
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Q: Why do we need parking enforcement?
A: Car ownership is increasing and this brings with it many problems for our roads. Enforcing the parking regulations helps to:
- Improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and provide a cleaner environment
- Allow emergency vehicles, buses and refuse vehicles clear access and prevent their routes from being obstructed
- Attract visitors to the town centres and improve the economic viability and vitality of the town centres
- Enable people who are Blue Badges holders to park closer to shops and town centre facilities
Visit the parking enforcement page for more information.
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