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Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about parking.
New Parking Penalties
Inconsiderate motorists who park across dropped kerbs in Epping Forest District can now be penalised, even if there are no traffic signs or road markings indicating the kerbs. Legislation was changed in June to make it possible for the Council - which carries out parking enforcement on behalf of Essex County Council - to issue Penatly Charge Notices to offenders.
Policy for Drop Kerbs Outside Residence or Garages
When a resident reports a vehicle blocking a drop kerb to their residence or garages, their name, address and telephone number will be requested.
A request will be sent to Vinci Park, our contractors, for a CEO to be dispatched and requesting an estimated time for the CEO to arrive on site or a reason why not (in the unlikely event that a CEO cannot be dispatched the parking Team will inform the resident).
Vinci Park will then let the Parking Team know when the CEO is at the site.
The Parking Team will ring the resident to advise that the CEO is on site and to meet with him to give permission to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to the vehicle.
When the CEO meets with the resident, he will enter the name and address of the resident in their pocket book. This is in case of appeals by the vehicle's keeper that permission was given.
Drop Kerbs for Public Use
Any vehicle blocking a drop kerb used by the public, i.e. disability scooters or push chairs, are liable to receving a Penalty Charge Notice.
White Lines
These are courtesy lines and not enforceable.
If for example there is a dropped kerb leading to a driveway of a residence and a white line is on the road covering the opening to the driveway it is not enforceable because it is not a restriction. Should a vehicle be parked across the driveway causing obstruction and a vehicle is blocked from exiting the driveway it is a Police matter and should be referred to them.
Pavement Parking / Grass Verges and Green Areas
If there are no signs and lines (yellow lines) on the road where a vehicle is parked either on the pavement/grass verge or green area, a Penalty Charge Notice cannot be issued. If the vehicle is causing obstruction it is a Police matter.
Where there are signs and lines, the line from the road covers pavement/grass verge and green area up to the building line or fence. If a vehicle is parked as above a penalty Charge Notice can be issued.
What are the benefits of local parking enforcement?
Local enforcement will keep Epping District Council moving, reduce dangerous and inconvenient parking, support local businesses, support town centre needs, assist loading and unloading, improve conditions in resident parking areas, improve safety outside schools and assist blue badge holders.
What is Decriminalised Parking Enforcement?
Under the previous system, parking offences were breaches of the criminal law enforceable through the criminal justice system.
The 1991 Road Traffic Act (RTA'91) allows a Highway Authority (Essex County Council) to apply to the Secretary of State to establish Special Parking Areas (SPA's) which, once approved, transfers the power to enforce on-street parking restriction in the defined area from the Police to the Highway Authority.
The enforcement of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN's) issued to motorists under DPE becomes a civil debt owned to the Local Authority as opposed to a breach of the criminal law. Therefore "decriminalising" the parking offence.
Do CEO`s (parking attendants) have targets to meet and issue PCNs to everyone just to achieve them?
No, there are no target for the number of PCNs that a CEO must issue. All CEO`s will undergo comprehensive training to achieve nationally recognised standards of competence.
Will vehicles be clamped or towed away?
At the present time it is not intended to introduce clamping or removals, but this is an option which could be considered in the future.
Transport and Streets
Essex County Council are the Highway Authority for the Epping Forest District Area and most Highways functions are carried out by them. The local Area Office is based at:
Essex County Council
Highways and Transportation
West Area Office
Goodman House
Station Road
Harlow Essex
CM20 2ET
Car Parks
Long stay and dual use car parks are free on Saturdays.
I cant find a space can I park any where else in the car park?
Before purchasing a pay and display ticket ensure there is a marked bay available (if the vehicle is not parked within the white lines of a bay a Penalty Charge Notice will be issued. No other area of the car park other than a marked bay can be used to park) if there is no bay available find another car park or an on street parking place.
My pay and display ticket is not correct?
When purchasing a pay and display ticket do not input coins quickly, it may lead to coins being returned and the wrong time printed on the ticket. Put in one coin check it has registered then put in the next check, repeat until all coins are input and the screen shows amount, then press for ticket. Once the ticket has been issued check to ensure it is correct. If a pay and display machine is not in operation look for another within the car park.
For faulty pay and display machines or incorrect tickets phone 01992 564462 and let the parking team know.
Are Sainsbury’s car parks in Loughton or Ongar operated by the stores?
Pay and display car parks for Sainsbury Stores (Loughton and Ongar) are run by Epping District Council and the same rules apply as all other car parks.
Can I park on the Loughton and Ongar Sainsbury’s pick up areas ?
When parking on pick up points the driver must remain with the vehicle and not leave it to go into the store, if no driver is seen a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued.
Do I need a pay and display ticket for Sainsbury’s Loughton and Ongar stores?
Yes. Both Loughton and Ongar Stores operate a refund scheme for parking, this is their own scheme and is nothing to do with Epping Forest District Council.
What do I do if I break down where there is a restriction?
Phone 01992 564462 and report it. If a report has not been made and a Penalty Charge Notice is issued, write to the address on the Penalty Charge Notice, and send proof of breakdown i.e. an invoice or bill for parts.
Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ)
Within the CPZ are resident and business bays (some may be dual use both resident and business or resident and pay and display). Only vehicles displaying a valid permit or a valid visitors permit (or for pay and display a valid pay and display ticket) may park in the bays (the only exception is disabled drivers with their badge displayed correctly who can park in a bay without time limit).
There are bays both pay and display and free bays available for parking, these are indicated by dotted bay marks on the road and a plate with length of stay and no return time printed on it or a pay and display meter to purchase a pay and display ticket.
Times for single yellow line restrictions in a CPZ are on the Main CPZ plate at the start of the zone.
Permits (Price Changes from 07 May 2012)
Where do I get a permit?
Phone: 01992 564462
Or send copy of V5 (logbook) and proof of residency (utility bill etc.) with cheque or postal order made payable to Epping Forest District Council to: Epping Forest District Council, PO Box 256, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3YB
How do I pay?
Send your payment to:
The Parking Office, PO Box 256, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3YB
Cheques should be made payable to: Epping Forest District Council. Do not send cash.
How much does a permit cost?
Resident
£30 for the first vehicle
£55 for a second vehicle
£125 for a third vehicle
Only three permits per household
Resident Visitor
A book of 10 resident visitor parking permits at a cost of £3 for 2 hour period (30p each)
A book of 10 resident visitor parking permits at a cost of £6 for 4 hour period (60p each)
A book of 10 resident visitor parking permits at a cost of £12 for all day. (£1.20 each)
Business
£428 per annum
Refund Administration Charge: £10 Duplicate Parking Permit: £10
Dispensation
Up to TWO dispensations may be issued to any one premis on proof of works, quote or etstimate etc.
- NO dispensaton can be for more than one calendar month or 30 days at a time.
- Vehicles should be Commercial or Liveried.
- We will require a registration number to be shown on the dispensation..
- The vehicle shall be actively engaged on those duties.
- Dispensations may be withdrawn or cancelled should misuse be suspsected.
- Should one be cancelled and not returned, PCNs WILL be isued.
- The dispensation MUST be palce in the windscreen of the vehicle at ALL times during the restriction. Failure to display WILL result in PCN issue.
Please send request and proof to The Parking Office PO Box 256, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3YB. (Allow reasonable time when putting in a request so that it can be processed).
For queries concerning Dispensations telephone 01992 564462 wait for a voice and press 2 on the telephone key pad to talk to the staff.
Furniture removals
Please notify the parking office 01992 564462 if moving in or out so that arrangements for parking (free) can be made.
Contacting Us
Civic Offices
High Street
Epping
Essex CM16 4BZ