The The formal consultation process for the proposed Estate Parking Controls has ended. Lambeth have informed us that the report will be published in due course, which will enable the Highways Team to develop the Traffic Management Order.
PRERA have requested to be sent a copy of the Traffic Management Order once completed. We have also asked for an updated on timings.
Our previous blog post on the consultation from last year can be found here.
Here is a collated list of questions and answers from Lambeth’s Housing Estate Parking Frequently Asked Questions and Lambeth’s replies to PRERA and individual residents additional questions:
Introduction
What is a Controlled Parking Zone?
A Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) is an area where parking controls prioritise the needs of residents, their visitors, and local businesses. Residents and businesses in the zone are required to purchase permits if they intend to park on the public highway during the hours of operation. Lambeth refer to this permit as a ‘virtual parking permit’.
What times and days of the week will be restricted?
Parking enforcement will be Monday – Friday, 7am – 7pm.
The consultation letter states that parking demand has surged in the estate. Please could you provide the source of evidence for this statement?
When an on-street CPZ is introduced, it has always been the case that parking demand transfers to adjacent estates. Whilst this is not necessarily immediately apparent, it does happen and is at the detriment of residents of the estate. Going forward Lambeth will review the wording of our correspondence to make sure it reads better.
What is the plan for Palace Road Estate?
Virtual parking permit
What is a virtual parking permit?
A virtual permit is a format that replaces the need to display a paper permit in your vehicle. Once a permit is approved it is activated and linked to your vehicle making it quick and easy.
Why virtual and not paper parking permits?
The virtual permit scheme saves residents the inconvenience of coming into the Civic Centre to purchase paper permits and visitor vouchers. The scheme allows housing estate residents the control and flexibility to manage their permits themselves online, 24 hours a day seven days a week.
How do I purchase a resident virtual parking permit or visitor permit?
By visiting https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/parking/parking-permits/lambeth-housing-estates-resident-visitor-parking-e-permits you will be able to set up an account and submit your permit applications. You will be required to upload evidence to support your permit requests before paying using a credit or debit card.
I don’t have access to a computer how can I apply?
If you don’t have access to the internet perhaps a family member or friend can help.
The Parking Team can offer advice or assist over the telephone during normal hours.
For further support, please call 020 7926 9000.
The MyCommunity Gateway service, run by AgeUK Lambeth, can help with advice and links to local services that can help with online access. You can contact them on 0333 360 3700 or mycommunity@ageuklambeth.org Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Can my household have more than one Estate Parking Permit?
Most estates are limited to one permit per household owing to the scarcity of parking.
Your account will display the number of permits your household are entitled to.
How long is my Estate Parking Permit valid for?
12 months.
How much do Estate Parking Permits cost?
£31.79 per year.
What proofs do I need upload?
Residents will be required to upload two of the following pieces of evidence:
- Driving licence (current address)
- Bank or credit card statement – dated within the last three months
- Utility bill – dated within the previous three months (mobile phone bills will not be accepted)
- Solicitor’s completion letter – dated within the last three months
- Current year Lambeth council tax document
- Home contents insurance policy
- Signed current formal tenancy agreement
- An electoral canvas form or polling card – dated in the last year.
- All proofs must correspond to the address on the estate where the permit is required.
What if I have a company vehicle?
Company letter – If you drive a company vehicle, you must submit a typed letter on company headed paper signed by your employer and dated within the last 3 months. The letter must include your name and address, your job title and the vehicle’s make and registration number. It should also confirm that you are the sole user of the vehicle and whether the company owns or leases the car. If the company owns the vehicle a copy of the vehicle registration document must be provided.
If the car is leased, a copy of the lease agreement is required. If your company uses a fleet management specialist, a letter from them will be accepted; however, it must include the information requested above and confirm the name of the company you work for.
What if I hire or lease my vehicle?
You will need to upload your current vehicle lease agreement, showing that you are the named driver and keeper of the vehicle.
What if I want to park a short term hire car (such as ZIP cars)?
A daily visitor permit will need to be purchased, see below.
What if have an untaxed, SORN vehicle? Can I still get a permit?
Yes, but you will first need to obtain the permission of the Neighbourhood Housing Manager to park your car on the estate, and the car cannot be in a poor or unsafe condition. This will only be agreed in exceptional circumstances.
What if I have a large vehicle? Can I still get a permit?
The parking of vehicles more than 2m high, 1.83m wide or 4.8m long is not allowed without the express permission of the Neighbourhood Housing Manager. This will only be agreed in exceptional circumstances.
Change of car or address
What if I change my car?
Simply log into your account online and update your vehicle details. The change is instant.
What if I move home?
If you are moving within the same zone you will be able to update and switch your permit. However, if you are moving to a different zone you will need to cancel the permit and apply for a new permit at your new address.
Visitors
What if my visitors or my contractors need to park?
You will need to buy daily visitor permits for them online.
How long is a Visitor Permit valid for?
Each visitor permit is valid for one day only.
How much do Visitor’s Permits cost?
£1.50 each.
Blue Badges and Carers
What if I, a member of my family or my visitors have a blue badge?
Residents or members of their household who have a Blue Badge are entitled to a free annual estate parking permit but must display their Blue or White Badge with the parking permit. Visitors with a Blue Badge can use it as they would with street parking and can park with their Blue Badge and a timer (limited to two hours). If Blue Badge holder’s visitors want to stay for longer than this, a visitor’s permit must be purchased for them.
Will carers and other similar service providers require a permit? If yes, will these be at a cost to residents?
Residents can purchase visitors permits for carers and others. The cost is currently £1.50 per day.
Enforcement
How will enforcement work?
Every virtual permit will display on a Civil Enforcement Officer’s (CEO) hand-held device. This device will be able scan the number plate of a vehicle to check if it is permitted to park.
When does enforcement take place?
Our parking contractor, APCOA, routinely patrols from 07:00 to 19:00 (7 am to 7 pm), Monday to Friday. However, we reserve the right to enforce at any time outside these hours if necessary.
What is the cost of an estate parking fine?
£65 if paid within 14 days, rising to £130 after 14 days.
What if I want to appeal against my parking fine?
You should complete the appeal form on the rear of the ticket and follow the printed instructions.
How do I report vehicles parking on my estate without permits?
These should all be reported to your Neighbourhood Housing Officer through the Lambeth Housing Management Call Centre on 020 7926 6000. They will arrange for APCOA to take enforcement action.
Motorcycle, mopeds and bikes
Does a motorcycle or moped need a permit?
No, but motorcycles and mopeds must still be parked correctly, and abide by the general rules regarding estate parking.
Parking a bike in the cycle hub on Palace Road currently costs £30/x (plus £25initial deposit) whereas the car parking permit cost is stated as £31.79/yr. Given the minimal carbon emissions contribution of a bicycle compared to a car, what will be done to bring the costs of parking in line with this? Similarly, the space occupied by 6 bikes accounts for 1 car space meaning the same space is generating 6 times the revenue.
Earlier this year Housing Services reduced the cycle storage charge to the on-street level, but nonetheless this is a valid point and an issue currently under review, so it is envisaged it is one that can be resolved soon.
Rent / Service Charge arrears
May I buy an Estate Parking Permit if I am in rent or service charge arrears?
Tenants with more than a week’s rent arrears and leaseholders with more than one month’s service charges in arrears may not apply for a resident’s permit unless they have an agreement to pay off the arrears and have kept to the agreement for six months or more.
May I buy visitor vouchers online if I am in rent or service charge arrears?
Yes.
Scheme design details
Why has Bushell Close been designated differently to the remainder of the estate?
It is understood that Bushell Close is not being treated any differently to the remainder of the estate. (Lambeth are reviewing this answer and I will come back to us ASAP).
If a resident of Bushell Close wishes to park elsewhere on the estate will this be possible, or will the permits required for Bushell Close mean parking is restricted to this road only?
As Bushell Close is an integral part of the estate, residents of the close will have a standard estate permit allowing them to park anywhere on the estate. A review of Q4 may change this response.
Will gaps (for parking) in yellow Iines alongside Chalner House be clearly marked/defined? Cars currently park more on the pavement than the road making passing with prams/wheelchairs very difficult.
It is our intention to clearly define parking provision, and we will request this issue be passed onto the design team to make sure it is included in their plans.
What restrictions are planned for Palace Road? The plans currently show no proposed introduction of parking controls – what will prevent spillover from estate parking onto the main Palace Road if it is left uncontrolled? If there are planned controls, please can this information be shared as it’s a vital part of the overall parking capacity in the area so difficult to make judgements on the estate proposal without the information.
Estate Permits are different to on street permits and the parking enforcement contractor will know whether a vehicle has the right to park on the estate or not. In addition, there will be clear signage, yellow lines and parking bay marking. There are no plans to implement a CPZ on Palace Road in 2025, however it is likely to happen eventually.