Drivers warned of new parking rules in parts of Coventry

[dutchman]

A new parking scheme which will affect thousands of drivers will come into force in Coventry next month.



People in parts of Earlsdon and Cheylesmore have been told that a new residents’ parking scheme will come into force on their streets from July 15.

Anyone who breaks the new parking regulations can expect to be hit by a £70 parking ticket, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

The scheme is split into three areas, Cheylesmore East, Cheylesmore West and Earlsdon, and will cost residents £20 for each three-year permit.

Each home can apply [for] a permit for each vehicle registered at their property, as well as three temporary visitor permits at any one time – although residents can make a special request for more.

Permit charges will be used to cover the cost of the service, which the council does not legally have to provide.

The parking permit system will be run online through a website called MiPermit.

Coventry City Council decided to introduce the scheme after consultation with residents in the areas showed an appetite for more stringent parking regulations. Many residents were concerned about people leaving cars in the area while they visited nearby businesses or the city centre, making it difficult for people to park near their homes.

Neighbours in parts of Cheylesmore were among those who had campaigned for parking rules in certain streets to be tightened up.

Earlsdon Conservative Coun Allan Andrews said the scheme had become more of a priority in Earlsdon as the Friargate developments around Coventry Railway Station gathered pace.

He admitted the scheme might face some teething problems, but said he was confident any issues could be addressed.

He said: “One of the problems at the moment is that residents have been asked to register using their council tax reference number, but they haven’t been provided with that.

“There is also a legal requirement that signs need to be positioned every 30 metres but, in an area like Earlsdon, that isn’t appropriate.

“We’re trying to reduce street clutter, so officers are coming up with some innovative ways of getting around that.

“The scheme hasn’t been welcomed by everyone, and some people have genuine concerns. Some people would have preferred a different system, or blanket restrictions.

“But, during consultation, we met the threshold to introduce a residents’ parking scheme.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s a start, and open to review.”

[dutchman]

Wrong signs blunder in new residents' parking scheme in Earlsdon



Confused parking wardens ticketed two cars because incorrect signs went up in a new parking scheme.

The restrictions in Earlsdon stalled as soon as they got motoring after Coventry City Council admitted some of the signs were facing the wrong way or were the wrong size.

A council spokesman said two cars in the suburb were given tickets “incorrectly” and that these “will be rescinded”.

It is unclear if the cars belonged to residents or commuters.

The new parking rules in Earlsdon and Cheylesmore were meant to come into force yesterday to tackle problems with commuters leaving their cars for the day.

But North Earlsdon Neighbourhood Association told how the signs disappeared on the same day they went up because of an “error”.

In a post on Facebook, they said: “You may have noticed the ‘Permit Holder Only’ signs that appeared this morning and then disappeared again.

“Apparently there was an error with the manufacture of these signs which was only discovered when they were being installed.

“We are told this is being rectified and the new signs should start being installed from Friday.”

Coun Allan Andrews (Con, Earlsdon) tweeted that the signs were wrong and were being replaced - adding that no tickets should be being issued.

“This is embarrassing from the council’s point of view and I’m not going to hold back saying it’s not,” he told the Telegraph.

“If anyone has had a fine I would encourage them to get in touch with the council or me and we’ll ensure that’s written off.”

A council spokesman said: “We are in the process of putting up the signs and laying out the bays for the resident parking schemes in parts of Earlsdon and Cheylesmore with the aim of starting to issue warning tickets from Monday or Tuesday next week.

"We will do this for two weeks before we issue the proper penalty charge notices.

“A small number of signs were put up facing the wrong way and some were the wrong size.

"This was noticed quickly and corrected. New zone entry signs are also going up with the last ones set for completion early next week.

“The new zones are being introduced following public consultation and only in roads where the majority of people said they wanted resident parking.

"The zones have been tailored to best suit the needs of local people and we will review it carefully over the coming months.”

[rebbonk]

“A small number of signs were put up facing the wrong way and some were the wrong size.

Nothing more than total incompetence from the council. The employee(management grade) responsible needs reprimanding and warning to pull their socks up or face dismissal for a similar repetition.

With all the cut backs going on, we can no longer afford such waste. Those responsible for waste must be culled.