Forum Topic

Zones K and K1 - any help?

HiHaving been one of the lucky ones to obtain a spanking new K1 permit (Horn Lane) I am now rather confused as to where I can park! On the Ealing Council's website it states that zones K and K1 are interchangable and that K1 can park in K - which is good for me as I live right on the edge of where the K zone starts. However, I called Parking Services to confirm this and the man (after some time and checking) said actually he didn't think I could park in K. He informed me that the K permit holder owners can park in both (reason being they pay more for their permit), not the other way round. I did explain that this contradicts their information on the website...Anyway, I've now emailed (under his advice) the comlaints team this week, and am waiting for a respsonse. I just wanted to check on this forum to see if any K1 holders out there have successfully parked in zone K without getting a PCN? I don't want to take the chance and get a nasty fine!

Laura Wood ● 5524d16 Comments

I've been into this many times and Ealing Council cannot change the rules without first consulting us, and then notifying us. Somewhere I have a letter from them confirming that our Zone K1 permits can be used in Zone K. If anyone tells you differently, they are wrong. Alternatively, if the rules have been changed without consulting council tax payers, then that is something worth making quite a fuss about... and I will be first in the queue.

Clare Gittins ● 5524d

Also, it's rubbish to say that the expense of Zone K permits explain why they allow drivers to park in two zones. Their zone is patrolled 9-5 (or 9.30-5.30, can't remember) and K1 is only patrolled for two hours a day making it cheaper to run.Did you get the man's name?

Clare Gittins ● 5524d

No - I wish I had. But worringly when the parking services called me a few weeks ago (I'd completed the CPZ form in wrong, ooops) I spoke to a different man that time and asked him the same question. He was very definite that I couldn't park in Zone K - again stating that as I pay less I shouldn't have the priviledge of parking in both zones. I was sure I'd read somewhere on the website that I can (it's on the map) so I dubious. I really would like to be able to park in Highlands (always empty during the day) as it's easier/safer for me to get my toddler in and out of the car but I'm not sure I can take the chance! Interesting that you have a letter, though, Clare... but there was nothing in the paperwork I received about the new CPZ about being able to park in both zones which is what worried me.

Laura Wood ● 5524d

Here we go again. Here's one I made earlier (so to speak).http://www.actonw3.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conparking005.htmI will make some enquiries....

Clare Gittins ● 5524d

I really wouldn't worry about this. I just called Parking Services at Ealing Council and spoke to Ade. He consulted with Gina Cole, one of the supervisors there and they confirmed that the rules have not changed and Zone K and K1 permits are valid in both zones.If I were to receive a ticket I would ignore it - well, perhaps I'm not quite that brave - I suppose I would just write a very brief letter stating the facts and refusing to pay.

Clare Gittins ● 5524d

Thanks Clare. That is reassuring. I knew a wise soul would help me out on here! Maybe I'll give it a go when I need to use the car next week and see what happens. Hopefully my email will be responded to soon, as well.

Laura Wood ● 5524d

This looks like it's one of the problems Bassam was telling me had surfaced in the new CPZ's.If the council officers are not all singing the same tune, how are the traffic wardens going to know what to do?

Bob Crossley ● 5524d

I'm sure this has come up at ward forums and the interchangeable nature of K1/and K confirmed.I wouldn't worry.

Sara Nathan ● 5524d

As per Claire, I've been through this debate several times. The K/K1 arrangement is unique in the borough, which is probably why it confuses some (but the officers are paid to know the difference). The traffic wardens should all be briefed on the situation (the parking enforcement contractor takes a financial hit for tickets issued incorrectly, so they have an incentive to get it right).

Vlod Barchuk ● 5524d

I do hope our current councillors do something soon on the K/K1 consultation and the changes that were supposed to happen in its wake... It's been months now and not a peep.

Sara Nathan ● 5524d

All the more reason perhaps to have the same times for all zones - all being interchangeable - except for shopping streets - so there is absolutely no confusion.24 hours a day, 7 days a week !!!

Dee Cook ● 5524d

I concur.....24/7

Nicola Howard ● 5524d

Hi, it doesn't make any sense at all to me that they would be fully interchangable. If they were, what's the point of having two zones in the first place, and having different rates in each. I would have thought it much fairer if K1 permit holders are allowed to park within zone K during the hours of the K1 restrictions. Any subsequent K times should be only open to K permit holders - mmmm that sounded complicated but I know what I meant.Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 5524d

Like Carl, I don't think the zones should be fully interchangeable, nor do I understand the point of having two zones.As one who lives in Zone K, I don't think those who have K1 permits should be allowed to park in Zone K. We have had to pay £75 for the privilege, whilst those who have K1 permits pay a lot less! Our street currently doesn't have a parking problem - only occasionally at weekends - but if the 'new' K1 residents start parking in our street, then things may well change. The CPZ consultation was to give us a chance to request a change, and make Zone K have the same hours and cost as K1, but as Sara says, nothing has happened. Just another failing of the current council!I note that Dee would like CPZ 24/7 - I guess she doesn't have visitors who come at weekends/evenings. It would be yet more expense to have to pay for visitor permits for every day and over night.

Amanda Knights ● 5524d

The same goes for K resident permit holders being able to park in K1 though. What I had been told by Ealing Council was the K residents could park in K1 but we couldn't park in K. So I felt that was a bit unfair too (despite K's paying a higher rate).Either no'one should be able to park in the others zone, or both should in my opinion. Or just scrap K1 and make it all K (or vice versa)!

Laura Wood ● 5524d

I was joking about the 24/7 restriction, but maybe it makes sense.Perhaps we all need to step back and consider why we  should not be using cars to get ourselves around London.  To make us fitter - how many people are overweight? - and the air cleaner.The alternatives:  the Council has a car sharing scheme.  Boris is about to bring in his Bike Scheme to Shepherds Bush - bikes are easily stored on our frontages. Some families living in our area have 3 cars - and often they are not used for weeks on end.  Should we not consider abandoning our cars for a more carbon friendly way of travelling around?

Dee Cook ● 5524d