LB Hillingdon Annual Parking Report - LBH 2008
LB Hillingdon Annual Parking Report - LBH 2008
LB Hillingdon Annual Parking Report - LBH 2008
2008
www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Introduction
This report outlines the many changes that have taken place over the last year and
also explains what we intend to achieve in the coming year.
We have provided information on our full range of services, including; resident permit
applications.
Enforcement of parking contraventions forms part of this report and we have listed
and analysed for you the number of Penalty Charge Notices issued in the last financial
year.
Currently parking restrictions in the London Borough of Hillingdon are enforced by our
contractor, Mouchel Traffic Support Ltd, with the contract managed by London
Borough of Hillingdon staff and the back office and appeals services being provided
in-house.
Services currently provided to residents and motorists by the Parking Services Section
are:
We endeavour to enforce the various parking restrictions in a fair and reasonable way,
listening to the challenges and appeals of motorists and making policy decisions with
these in mind.
This is the first Annual Parking Report produced since the introduction of the Traffic
Management Act 2004, which resulted in many significant changes to parking.
If you have any questions that are not answered in this report, please do not hesitate
to contact us so that we can try to answer them.
Philomena Bach
Director of Environment & Consumer Protection
Background
Hillingdon continues to have one of the highest car ownerships of all London
Boroughs. This can be attributable to many factors, not least of which is the limited
public transport networks throughout the Borough, in particular the north-south orbital
routes.
The predominant use of the car in Hillingdon is further compounded by the various
major A-roads running through the Borough (A4, A30, A40, A312, A4020), and the
close proximity to the national motorway network (M3, M4, M25, and M40). A
significant generator of car borne traffic is Heathrow Airport especially from areas to
the west of the Borough. As a result of these 3 major features affecting travel in
Hillingdon, congestion is a key issue for the Council to tackle.
The continued dependence on the use of cars has been a major contributory factor to
traffic congestion and has caused associated problems from on-street parking as well
as having a negative impact on air quality in Hillingdon and London. The Mayor’s
Transport Strategy seeks to reduce congestion and the Mayor has intervened directly
in central London to achieve this. In outer areas, with widely dispersed demand
patterns, such change is less easy to achieve and it is accepted that car use will
continue to be an important travel method for the foreseeable future. Therefore
Hillingdon must mitigate the impact of the private car to manage congestion on the
road network and in doing so, contribute to the aim of reducing carbon emissions
associated with transport.
In Hillingdon the scope for building new roads is not a realistic proposition, either due
to financial constraints, or because space is not available for a major road building
programme. Coupled with this it would be unlikely that such a proposal would be
accepted on environmental grounds.
With this in mind, the council looks to identify and implement improvements that can
be made for motorists within the bounds of the existing network capacity. Road and
junction improvements need to be prioritised to ensure that traffic will flow more freely.
These may be major improvements to congestion hotspots, or less intrusive solutions
such as traffic signal re-phasing [in partnership with Transport for London].
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In order to achieve these improvements Hillingdon has introduced a council funded
programme aimed at mitigating or alleviating congestion at key hotspots across the
borough. The objectives of the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Programme are to identify
key congestion hotspots, to evaluate the various factors that contribute to and cause
congestion and to look at and develop measures that may lead to managing the
congestion at these hotspots more effectively.
The Mayor's Transport Strategy (MTS), published in 2001, highlights the importance
of parking management in providing a unified, sustainable and integrated approach to
the transport system. Because the availability and accessibility of parking spaces can
influence travel choice, effective parking management will contribute directly to the
Mayor’s key transport policies by, amongst other things, supporting walking and
cycling as a sustainable alternative transport mode, and improving bus service
reliability.
Borough wide Parking Management Schemes are a physical restraint to the use of the
private car as parking is at a premium in Hillingdon. The strategic management of
parking spaces can contribute to promoting more sustainable travel, restraining road
traffic and increasing the role of other transport modes.
An additional part of theses schemes is the On-Street Pay & Display parking places
Stop & Shop programme, designed to prevent all-day parking in an area where
parking places need to be available for continued use and enable drivers to “Stop &
Shop”.
The introduction of these schemes allow traffic to be kept moving on busy roads and
those roads serviced by local bus routes and removes non-residential parking from
residential streets situated near areas of interest, such as Brunel University, Heathrow
Airport and Hillingdon Hospital.
The council will continue to identify and implement Parking Management Schemes in
line with local transport policy and also in response to resident requests in the small
towns and villages that make up the boroughs residential areas. In 2009, extensions
are planned for existing schemes situated around Heathrow Airport, Hillingdon
Hospital and Cowley.
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The council has traffic management orders controlling parking throughout the main
commercial and shopping centres of the borough and at critical sites in other built up
areas. Traffic management orders also exist for all parking management schemes in
the borough.
Hillingdon’s Traffic Management Section keeps under review all Traffic Management
Orders, including the provision of one way streets, banned turning movements,
prohibition of certain vehicles on certain sections of the network etc, amongst other
things, and also works with the residents of the borough and relevant stakeholders
[Police, Emergency Services] through consultation to identify and implement any new
Traffic Regulation Orders or traffic management schemes that will have a beneficial
affect on the management of the road network.
Hillingdon is the second largest London Borough with a population of over 250,000
residents and neighbours with the London Borough’s of Ealing, Hounslow, Harrow,
plus Buckinghamshire County Council, Slough Borough Council, Surrey and
Hertfordshire County Council. Hillingdon is also individual in that it is home to
Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest international airports.
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the south of Hillingdon is also a significant generator of car borne traffic and freight
traffic especially from areas to the west of the borough.
The high dependency on the use of cars in Hillingdon has resulted in several
congestion hot spots and creates serious pressures on the availability of on-street
parking in the borough. High car use has also led to high levels of noise and air
pollution at various locations along the major road network. While Hillingdon aims to
improve and expand the public transport network and to promote alternative modes of
travel, it is accepted that with highly dispersed demand patterns, car use will continue
to be an important travel method for the foreseeable future. This is consistent with the
acknowledgement in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy that cars will continue to be the
main mode of travel in outer London.
On 4th July 1994, the control and enforcement of all on-street parking throughout the
borough was taken over by the London Borough of Hillingdon. The Police were
responsible for control and enforcement before this date.
Enforcement was carried out under the 1991 Road Traffic Act until 31st March 2008
when it was replaced by the Traffic Management Act 2004.
In February 2004, Hillingdon began using closed circuit television (CCTV) as a parking
enforcement tool to issue penalties to motorists for the contravention of being in a bus
lane. Currently five dedicated bus lane enforcement cameras are used to enforce five
bus lanes within the Borough. There are also three cameras enforcing three Bus
Routes.
These cameras and other networked cameras have also been used to enforce parking
restrictions in congested areas outside the usual enforcement times.
The aim is to prevent vehicles jeopardising the safety of pedestrians or causing traffic
hazards and delays. The experience of using CCTV alongside traditional enforcement
methods has proved to be an excellent operational tool that compliments traditional
methods.
On 31 March 2008 new regulations were introduced in England and Wales that saw
the first nationwide changes to on street parking since 1993. The regulations provide
motorists with a fairer and more transparent parking enforcement service across the
country, helping raise industry standards in parking.
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London Councils in partnership with the Department for Transport determine the
enforcement type and procedure undertaken by the enforcement body, with each
contravention coded and identified with a full description. [see Appendix 7]
The Administration Department ensure the back office process of a PCN is compliant
with legislation and Council Policy, with a firm but fair approach to any challenges
received as shown in Appendix 5.
On-street parking
Borough wide Parking Schemes are a physical restraint to the use of the private car
as parking is at a premium in Hillingdon. The strategic management of parking spaces
can contribute to promoting more sustainable travel, restraining road traffic and
increasing the role of other transport modes.
The London Borough of Hillingdon main Town Centre is Uxbridge, situated at the end
of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly Underground Line. The smaller shopping areas of
Northwood, Eastcote, Ruislip, Hayes and Yiewsley & West Drayton are located in the
more densely populated areas across the borough.
The On-Street Pay & Display parking places in these areas are part of the Stop &
Shop programme.
The first half hour is free, when a voucher is displayed, with any subsequent time paid
for and with a maximum stay period implemented.
Information on Hillingdon Car Parks can be found on the Council Web Site at
www.hillingdon.gov.uk.
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Provision is also made for Disabled Bays and Motorcycle Bays and to assist
commerce, deliveries are accommodated with the provision of Loading Bays
positioned in primary locations.
Hillingdon Council are responsible for 23 Surface Car Parks with eighteen of these
having reached the standards set to receive ParkMark Awards
This demonstrates the high standards of our car parks and shows the council's
commitment towards ensuring a safer parking environment for all residents, workers
and visitors to the borough."
Cedars and Grainges multi storey car parks are located in Uxbridge Town Centre as
part of the Pavilions Shopping Centre.
Appendix 2 - Shows the Car Park Location and number of bays provided in each car
park.
Appendix 6 - Shows the Car Park income for 2008-09.
Resident parking
There are currently 22 Resident parking schemes in Hillingdon with the Council
committed to resident satisfaction.
To facilitate visits from relatives, friends and other callers, the Council decided that
each household located within a PMS would be given one free permit (worth £40) and
ten free visitor vouchers (worth £5.00) each year.
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Historically, the free vouchers have been hand delivered residents each year.
However, as we have received comments from residents who do not require
vouchers, and to reduce costs, the free Vouchers will be sent out when the free permit
is renewed. Residents not requiring the free permit will receive their free vouchers
upon request.
In addition to changing the method of delivery, we have also changed the duration
period of a permit from one to two years. This will allow for the permit department to
absorb the growth in workload brought about by these new schemes without an
increase of resources. This will be a staged implementation over the next 18 months
as existing permits are renewed.
Last year approximately 7000 permits were issued to residents living within the
Parking Management Schemes. [Appendix 4]
Abandoned vehicles
The council’s Abandoned Vehicles Removal Service takes pride in its continuing
efforts to enforce the legislation to clear our streets of vehicles that have been
carelessly and irresponsibly abandoned by individuals with little regard for their
neighbours. These vehicles, as well as causing highway obstruction and detracting
from the cleanliness of the area, also attract anti-social and criminal behaviour of
various sorts, which makes some residents feel unsafe and insecure.
Last year Hillingdon council were the top London borough and 5th in the Country for
reducing the number of vehicles abandoned in our streets. The performance of the
team in inspecting and removing confirmed abandoned vehicles within 72 working
hours of the report being received is at a 100% level of achievement.
This achievement is due to residents telling us when and where these vehicles are
being left and in order to continue this high level of achievement, we both need and
welcome resident feed back on the whereabouts of abandoned vehicles. All reports
are made to the councils customer contact centre.
The council also offer a Free of Charge Surrender Scheme to residents with vehicles
in need of being destroyed. Fifty One vehicles were surrendered in 2008, at no cost
to the owner, which is lower than usual, due to the rise in the value of scrap metal.
Residents wishing to dispose of a vehicle complete a disclaimer form and return it,
with a copy of the vehicle registration document, to the Councils Customer Contact
Centre. We are hoping to make the form available on line in the near future.
The council’s abandoned vehicle team also work closely with the DVLA’s Untaxed
Vehicle Removal Contractor by reporting untaxed vehicles found on the adopted
highway. This has resulted in a number of illegal vehicles being removed from our
streets.
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Appendix 2 - Hillingdon Car Parks
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Appendix 3 - Car Park location and spaces provided
Street Location of
Car Park Name (owned Entrance to Car Disabled Total
by) Park Post Code Spaces Spaces ParkMark
Oakland's gate,
Oakland's Gate Northwood HA6 3AA 1 12 Yes
Green Lane,
Green Lane Northwood HA6 1AD 9 160 Yes
Northview Northview, Eastcote HA5 1QZ 3 126 Yes
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Appendix 4
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Appendix 5 - PCN Issue
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Appendix 6 - Income & expenditure
Parking Revenue Account - 2008/09
Income Expenditure
Residents
Permits 151,842 Parking Enforcement 799,208
On Street TCFL fixed levy & service
Charges 2,445,224 charges 76,869
Pay & Display Appeals & Notice
Meters 510,845 Processing 878,723
Parking Management and
Bailiff Payments 235,634 Car Parks 542,368
Traffic Management and
Highways Improvements 646,530
CCTV, Equipment,
Consultant fees.
Security fees, Building
Mtce. Etc 67,828
£
Total Income 3,343,545 Total Expenditure 3,011,526
Less
Expenditure 3,011,526
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Appendix 7 - Standard PCN Codes v6.5
On-street
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31 j Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited n/a London only
32 jdtpw Failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign n/a Code specific suffixes apply.
London only
33 jbcefghikqrs Using a route restricted to certain vehicles n/a Code specific suffixes apply.
London only
34 j0 Being in a bus lane n/a
35 Parked in a disc parking place without clearly displaying a valid disc Lower
36 Parked in a disc parking place for longer than permitted Lower
37 j Failing to comply with a give way to oncoming vehicles sign n/a London only
40 n Parked in a designated disabled person’s parking place without Higher
displaying a valid disabled person’s badge in the prescribed manner
41 j Parked in a parking place designated for diplomatic vehicles Higher
42 j Parked in a parking place designated for police vehicles Higher
45 n Parked on a taxi rank Higher
46 jn Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway) Higher
47 jn Stopped on a restricted bus stop or stand Higher
48 j Stopped in a restricted area outside a school when prohibited Higher
49 j Parked wholly or partly on a cycle track or lane Higher
50 jlru Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibited turn n/a Code specific suffixes apply.
London only
51 j Failing to comply with a no entry sign n/a London only
52 jgmsvx Failing to comply with a sign indicating a prohibition on certain types n/a Code specific suffixes apply.
of vehicle London only
53 j Failing to comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles n/a London only
entering a pedestrian zone
54 j Failing to comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles n/a London only
entering and waiting in a pedestrian zone
55 A commercial vehicle parked in a restricted street in contravention Higher
of the Overnight Waiting Ban
56 Parked in contravention of a commercial vehicle waiting restriction Higher Non- overnight waiting
restriction
57 Parked in contravention of a coach ban Higher Non- overnight waiting
restriction
58 Using a vehicle on a restricted street during prescribed hours n/a London Lorry Ban only
without a valid permit
59 Using a vehicle on a restricted street during prescribed hours in n/a London Lorry Ban only
breach of permit conditions
61 124cgj A heavy commercial vehicle wholly or partly parked on a footway, Higher Code specific suffixes apply.
verge or land between two carriageways
62 124cgj Parked with one or more wheels on or over a footpath or any part of Higher Code specific suffixes apply.
a road other than a carriageway
63 c Parked with engine running where prohibited Lower This contravention occurs in
certain coach bays.
67 ---- RESERVED FOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS ---- n/a
68 ---- RESERVED FOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS ---- n/a
99 jo Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or crossing area marked by Higher Pedestrian Crossings
zigzags
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* = or other specified time **** = or other number h = or other specified distance
Off-street
70 Parked in a loading area during restricted hours without reasonable Higher Off-street loading areas
excuse
73 u Parked without payment of the parking charge Lower Off-street car parks
74 prs Using a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or Higher Off-street car parks
offering or exposing for sale of goods when prohibited
77 - - - RESERVED FOR DVLA USE - - - n/a
80 Parked for longer than the maximum period permitted Lower Off-street car parks
81 o Parked in a restricted area in a car park Higher Off-street car parks
82 puv Parked after the expiry of paid for time Lower Off-street car parks
83 Parked in a car park without clearly displaying a valid pay & display Lower Off-street car parks
ticket or voucher or parking clock
84 Parked with additional payment made to extend the stay beyond Lower Off-street car parks
time first purchased
85 btrw Parked in a permit bay without clearly displaying a valid permit Higher Off-street car parks
86 prs Parked beyond the bay markings Lower Off-street car parks
87 Parked in a designated disabled person’s parking place without Higher Off-street car parks
displaying a valid disabled person’s badge in the prescribed manner
89 Vehicle parked exceeds maximum weight or height or length Higher Off-street car parks
permitted in the area
90 psv Re-parked within one hour* of leaving a bay or space in a car park Lower Off-street car parks
91 cg Parked in a car park or area not designated for that class of vehicle Higher Off-street car parks
92 o Parked causing an obstruction Higher Off-street car parks
93 Parked in car park when closed Lower Off-street car parks
94 p Parked in a pay & display car park without clearly displaying two**** Lower Off-street car parks
valid pay and display tickets when required
95 Parked in a parking place for a purpose other than the designated Lower Off-street car parks
purpose for the parking place
96 c Parked with engine running where prohibited Lower Off-street car parks - this
contravention may occur in
certain coach bays.
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