Parking restriction introduction detailed in letter to residents

Swindon Borough Council has hand delivered a letter to residents in Wichelstowe, detailing the introduction of the Restricted Parking Zone in East Wichel. Until Sunday 16 October they will be publicising the scheme. After that they will initially issue warning notices to those not complying with the regulations, but will start issuing penalties on ‘main roads’ in East Wichel from Monday 31 October, and then on all roads from Monday 14 November. Although the letter confuses matters by saying the restrictions do not apply to ‘private parking bays’, previous indications from the council are that the restrictions will also not apply in any of the mews areas.

Full text of the council’s letter:

Dear Owner/Occupier

East Wichel Restricted Parking Zone

The East Wichel Restricted Parking Zone came into operation on 2^nd October 2016.

Within the Zone parking is now prohibited at all times except in the marked bays. The Zone boundary is clearly indicated to motorists entering the area and there are reminder signs throughout the zone. Bays where parking is permitted are marked by signs and by bay markings on the road.

Enforcement of the Restricted Parking Zone will be carried out by Swindon Borough Council Civil Enforcement Officers (not by the Police). Enforcement will begin in phases as follows —

• 2^nd October — Zone comes into operation
• 2 week period to 16^th October to publicise the scheme to local residents and visitors (no Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to be issued)
• 2 week period 17^th October to 30th October — issue warning notices to offenders (no PCNs to be issued)
• 2 week period of enforcement by PCN on the main roads in the area 31^st October to 13^th November 2016
• Full enforcement by PCN throughout area from 14^th November 2016

The Zone does not include private parking bays allocated to individual properties.

A plan of the area is available at www.wichelstowe.co.uk

www.swindon.gov.uk

At the time of writing the ‘plan of the area’ mentioned near the end of the letter appears to be just that, not a map showing the final approved positions of parking bays. We have requested that the council provide a copy of the finalised plan for the restricted parking zone.