Forum Topic

One hour parking permit scratchcard query K1 MM etc

Please could someone advise me about whether there is a parking scratchcard system in place for K1 residents to give to visitors, and how it works?The K1 restriction is "permit holders only between 9-10am and 3-4pm". But if I have family to visit, and we go out for the day by tube, (so we can't shuffle their car over to another zone), what can I do for them?I was expecting Ealing Council to put something through the door advising local residents about this when the scheme was introduced a few months ago, but didn't see anything, and I dont want to make a special trip to queue up at the council offices without some information first.I was given a one hour scratchcard when I attending a meeting elsewhere in Ealing, and I was wondering if we can use these, ie is there one card type that can be used anywhere in Ealing, how much they cost, where you get them from, can you buy them on-line, etc. The one I used had 2009, 2010, and 2011 scratch off options, and I was told not to scratch any of these to indicate I was using in 2012. But... if these are only available in packs of 5 or 10 or something else, and I dont use them all, can I still use them in 2013 or 2014? Or is Ealing providing more up to date ones now, with 2012, 2013, 2014 options? I imagine I am not the only person in K1, MM, etc who hasn't got to grips with this yet.

S Bradford ● 5222d9 Comments

From LBE Website..... http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/200332/parking/642/controlled_parking_zones/7Apply for resident's visitor vouchersIf you live in a controlled parking zone (CPZ) area, you can apply for residential visitor vouchers using one of the following methods.In applying for resident's visitor vouchers you will be bound by our terms and conditions. Apply online for resident's visitor vouchers•You can apply for resident’s visitor vouchers online if you own a valid resident's permit or if you have a council tax reference number. •We are able to use your council tax reference number to verify your name and address.•If you do not have a valid resident's permit or a council tax number you may apply by post or in person.To apply for vouchers online you will need to provide:•Your valid resident’s permit or council tax reference number.•Your name and address details.•Your debit/credit card details (We accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Electron).Please note: If you are a permit holder you will be asked for a pin number.  This is provided on your renewal letter.  If you don't receive a letter call (020) 8825 6677 to request a pin notification letter to be sent to you.You can apply for a maximum of 10 visitor voucher booklets per application within a 24-hour period.  We aim to post the vouchers within 10 working days from your application.Please note: Any orders valued at £50 or over must be collected in person from the Customer Service Centre at Perceval House. This is to avoid any confusion over lost mail.If you have any problems using this facility please contact us tel: (020) 8825 6677 or email: parkingservices@ealing.gov.uk. By post•Download the relevant application form for your zone•Please see the requirements for visitor vouchers •Proof of residency – see the list of supporting documents we accept as proof. •Payment can be made by cheque or postal order (made payable to Ealing Council).•Please do not send cash in the post.•Please send your application and payment to: Ealing Council, Parking Services, PO Box 46264, Ealing W5 2UNIn person•Download the relevant application form for your zone •Please see the requirements for visitor vouchers •Proof of residency – see the list of supporting documents we accept as proof •You can buy* residents visitor vouchers using cash, credit and debit cards (we accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Electron), by visiting our parking reception at: Customer Service Centre, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing W5 2HL Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (times may alter) •Please avoid peak times (e.g. lunch times) as you may experience longer waiting times. Please note: Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Ealing Council.

Iain Muir ● 5222d

You can get cards - though I am not sure whether Ealing still do 1 hour ones - three hour maybe minimum.Then you leave them in the car - one to cover each hour you are away or one for the day, correctly filled out and without the year scratched out if it isn't 2012.We haven't had a problem with it - as long as we remember to actually do it for visitors - have been caught out when someone stayed overnight and we forgot the evening before.

Sara Nathan ● 5222d

You can also pay to park by phone for your visitors. Details on www.paybyphone.co.ukAllow seven days for the application to be registered. Then there is no need for a visitors permit. Charges are the same as paper permits.

Bob Crossley ● 5222d

I haven't looked into the pay by phone option. I did however queue up at Ealing Council offices yesterday to purchase a book of 10 vouchers for £6. This was the minimum amount.The online option to buy visitors vouchers is apparently not available to me as I do not have a year long permit for another car. Even though I've been on the council tax and councils electoral registers for this address for more than 10 years.I needed to produce a household bill not less than 3 months old. Payment options in person include credit card, but not Amex.Each voucher is valid for one hour. So to park for a whole day, you need to display 2 vouchers to cover the am and pm restriction.The vouchers supplied by the council can only be used in the zone specified on the voucher. (Only K1 in our case.)There are scratch off options for 2008, 2009 and 2010, which surprised me somewhat as the restriction here was implemented in 2012. I was told by the representative of the council that I should not scratch off the years, and that these vouchers are valid for 2012 and beyond, with no expiry.I understand future options available to me are: a) apply to buy vouchers by post by cheque or postal order), and to allow 10 working days for the council to process the application (ie not including postal to and from the council). b) buy in person at Ealing council offices, opening hours: M to F, 9am to 5pm. In which case up to date proof of residence will again be required. (eg household bill in my name with address not less than 3 months old).Does anyone else find this process cumbersome? Multiplied across the rest of the borough - I certainly think so.How about a more friendly online system? I would be happy to "register" as a resident, enter my council tax number and make payment using a credit card (also in my name) on-line. Difficult to see how this could be open to abuse.Perhaps even receive numbered or barcoded tickets from them via email that I can print at home and use - an automated system saving council staffing costs, my time, and postage time and costs.

S Bradford ● 5201d

Probably why we will all be forced at sometime in the future to do it only by phone. Think of the money they will save.

Bob Crossley ● 5201d

Just took a look at the pay by phone site: Churchfield Road and Horn Lane are the only roads local to me which are listed. Maybe this is why Ealing council have not publicised this to K1 / MM residents and why there are so few, if any, notices in the streets about this option. There is already a multitude of different and ever changing parking restrictions for different bays in Horn Lane, and it's a busy road (route linking the M4 and A40), so it's the last place I would recommend a visitor to park.

S Bradford ● 5201d

I live in MM and have had a letter about the parking by phone in this area.

Bob Crossley ● 5201d

Has anyone reading this thread - living in the K1 extension (apart from communication about a car they have registered) - received any communication from the council whatsoever about visitor parking options during restriction hours - including visitors paying by phone - from the council? I dont beleive the scratchcard parking voucher option is widely known about or understood. I haven't seen any cars in K1 (or MM) using it. I only enquired when I realised it was an option in other areas of the borough.I can't help wondering how many people, including older people, and people without internet access, and people on low income, have / will be worried about restrictions (and a steep fine) placed on visitors. What if you are having something delivered... A domestic appliance repaired... A health visitor... Family coming for the day... A funeral... Things you can't always plan for. The process is complicated and information is difficult to obtain. This council comes across as simplying not caring about having a dialogue with its tax payers.

S Bradford ● 5201d

We live in the K1 extension and received a letter about 'Park by Phone' on the same day as we received the letter telling us the changes. This would have been at the end of April sometime. The letters were addressed just to the property, not by name and had nothing to do with having a car registered - our upstairs neighbour does not have a car, but received the letters.The same rules apply as they did before regarding visitor parking - if they are parked during the restricted hours, they need a permit. I don't think the process of obtaining vouchers has changed.

Amanda Knights ● 5201d