Your views Are you having difficulty parking near your home? We want to hear from you about proposals to solve this increasing problem.

Come and find out about proposals for Controlled Parking Zones in Staines at a series of roadshows. Maps showing the proposals for each zone will be on display and staff from both Spelthorne Borough Council and Surrey County Council will be on hand to answer questions and note any comments.

Roadshows This is your chance to come along, see the plans, have your say and tell us what you think.

Thursday 13 March	6– 8pm	Spelthorne Borough Council Offices, Knowle Green
Thursday 27 March	6-8pm	Staines Community Centre
Saturday 29 March	10am-4pm	The Elmsleigh Centre, Staines

You can be assured that Controlled Parking Zones will only go ahead if residents tell us that is what they want.

Controlled Parking Zones – a solution to residents’ parking problems Local residents are encouraged to comment on new plans to reduce the impact of commuters and shoppers parking on streets near their homes. With a number of major redevelopments and other changes to Staines due to take place this year, this situation is likely to become worse.

A solution to the problem is the introduction of Controlled Parking Zones, which would exclude commuters and shoppers and provide residents with access to parking near their home, together with temporary parking for visitors.

How would Controlled Parking Zones work?

It is proposed that residents in the zones affected would apply for permits to park in their zone.  
We are considering charging just £20 for the first permit, £40 for the second permit, £100 for the third permit, and for the fourth or more, £150. Visitors’ scratch cards would also be available at £5 for a book of 10 or free to anyone over the age of 60 or on the higher rate disability living allowance. No business permits will be issued for residential streets. These charges are being proposed to cover the cost of administration and enforcement.

Sample of visitors parking permit (Pdf 141kb)

Proposed Controlled Parking Zones

Zone 1	Bridge Street / Courage - Because of the proximity to Two Rivers this zone currently provides very convenient, free commuter parking for shop staff and shoppers. Rubbish collections are also difficult as a result, particularly in Lammas Close.
Zone 2	Two Rivers / Elmsleigh Centre There is little residential accommodation in this zone, but the problem area is Church Street. A Controlled Parking Zone would increase the number of parking bays available.
Zone 3	Gresham Road / Beehive Road This area is badly affected by commuter parking for both the town centre and the railway station. Rubbish collections are also affected, particularly in Budebury Road, where vehicles have trouble negotiating streets full of parked cars.
Zone 4	Knowle Green Problems occur during school time dropping off and picking up.  There are also high levels of street parking because of the Council Offices, the Law Courts, the doctor’s surgery and Spelthorne Leisure Centre. Rubbish collections are also affected.
Zone 5	Gresham Road / Cherry Orchard This area is badly affected by commuter parking for both the town centre and the railway station. Problems also occur during school dropping off and pick up times at local schools.
Zone 6	Priory Green This zone is affected during dropping off and picking up times at local schools and commuter parking. This is likely to get worse in the future due to the dispersal of cars from the station and town centre areas. The introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone now would prevent this.
Zone 7	Kingston Road This area is currently affected by commuter parking, Centrica, Majestic House and the proximity to Two Rivers. It could be affected by the proposed station for Airtrack.
Zone 8	Moormede This zone is affected by Centrica, Majestic House and the proximity to Two Rivers. The proposed Airtrack station could affect this area. It is also likely that there will be problems with the overspill of cars from the zones closest to the town centre. A Controlled Parking Zone here would help prevent this.

Frequently asked questions

Why do we need a Controlled Parking Zone?
It will make it easier for you to park nearer to your home, but not necessarily outside. It will also ease traffic congestion affecting rubbish collections and the emergency services.

If I have my own parking space will I need a permit?
No, you will only need a permit if you want to park on the street.

How much will a permit cost?
£20 for the first permit in a household, £40 for the second, £100 for the third and £150 for the fourth or more.

Why does the price depend on how many cars I have?
Central Government wants us to discourage the use of the private car and encourage the use of public transport, walking and cycling.

Why are you charging these prices?
There is an administrative cost in issuing permits, but we also have to employ parking attendants to enforce the restrictions. There is no point having a Controlled Parking Zone if the restrictions are not enforced. The proposed charges are less than most neighboring local authorities.

Where will I be able to park?
Anywhere in your own Zone, so if you live in Zone 1, you cannot park in a resident’s bay in Zone 2. It does not guarantee a space outside your home.

Will I get a permit to put in my windscreen?
No. To keep our costs down, we will be one of the first Boroughs in the country to use e-Permits. This is a small sticker with a number printed on it. It also contains a small radio transmitter which can be read by a special computer the parking attendants will have. These computers link to our database and tell the parking attendant if the permit is valid, for which car and which zone. These will be renewable on the internet, by post or by phone.

How do I apply for a permit?
You will need to provide proof that you live in the zone and proof of vehicle ownership. These will need to be sent to the Parking Services Office in Knowle Green together with the fee and application form.

My elderly parents do not have a car and live in a different part of Staines. How will I visit them?
Visitors’ scratch cards will be offered to residents at £5 for a book of 10. Each card will last all day but will be free to anyone over the age of 60 or on the higher rate Disability Living Allowance. These cards can be used for your visitors as well.

How do I get visitors’ scratch cards?
You will need to provide proof that you live in the Zone, and send this with the fee and application form.

I don’t live in Staines, where do I park?
Pay and Display machines will be installed to cater for visitors to the town and of course there are a number of car parks in the town.

What happens next?

The Council is considering these proposals in response to requests from residents living in Staines’ busiest streets. If the majority view is against Controlled Parking Zones, then it has been made clear by councillors that it will not go ahead.

However, if only some zones are implemented and it becomes obvious that problems are developing in a zone without controlled parking, it would take at least two years to establish.

The next stage will be to finalise the plans and present them to both Spelthorne Borough Council and Surrey County Council committees in the spring. If approved a formal consultation will then take place. It is hoped that this will be finished by early autumn and the first of the zones will become operational in 2009. Over the following months the remaining eight zones, where residents have indicated they would like residents parking in their area, will be gradually introduced.

To find out more Contact Customer Services on 01784 444260 e-mail: parking@spelthorne.gov.uk

Other information

Link to Department of Transport website