| Q |
What is the Blue Badge scheme? |
| A |
Wakefield Council’s Car Badge Unit can issue car-parking concessions (known as blue badges) to help people whose disability makes it impossible to visit shops, public buildings and other places unless they are allowed to park close to their destination.
The Blue Badge scheme is a national one for both drivers and passengers who have severe, permanent walking difficulties. It also applies to passengers who are registered blind and to people who drive a vehicle but have very severe disabilities affecting their arms and who cannot turn a steering wheel by hand.
Blue Badges can only be used in a vehicle when the person who it is allocated to is travelling.For more information visit the Blue Badge Scheme page
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| Q |
Who maintains the 'Pay and Display' machines and who should I contact if one is faulty or malfunctioning? |
| A |
All 'pay and display' machines operating in Wakefield Council car parks are regularly maintained by a company contracted to do so by the Council, and wherever possible machine faults are repaired within 24 hours of being reported.
To report a machine fault (giving its location and brief description of fault) by contacting the Car Parks Section, see Car Parks Contact Details
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| Q |
What happens if I park illegally in a 'pay and display' area? |
| A |
The patrol officers who are employed by the Council will issue a parking fine/ticket (known as a Excess Charge Notice or ECN) to all vehicle that are illegally parked or contravening the conditions of use of the parking areas. The cost of an Excess Charge Notice is £45.00 and must be paid within 14 days.
A ECN will be issued to your vehicle if it contravenes the conditions of use of a particular parking area, examples of which are:
- Not displaying a valid ticket or permit
- Displaying a ticket or permit that has expired
- Exceeding the maximum period of stay
- Not parking wholly within a marked bay
- Parking in a reserved area (disabled bays etc)
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| Q |
What happens if I do not park within a marked parking bay? |
| A |
All motorists, including Blue Badge holders must park fully within a marked bay when parking their vehicles. If any vehicles do not park fully within a marked bay then a Excess Charge Notice will be issued.
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| Q |
Why did the Patrol Officer take photographs of my vehicle after it had been issued with an Excess Charge Notice (ECN)? |
| A |
Whenever possible the Patrol Officers’ take photographic evidence of the vehicle, its position in relation to the parking bay (where required) and the windscreen and windows, which may show any tickets, badges or permits. It also proves that the Excess Charge Notice has been attached to the vehicle. Also, if we then receive an appeal we can relate the circumstances to this evidence, to help us reach a decision.
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| Q |
How do I pay a Parking Fine/Ticket (Excess Charge Notice)? |
| A |
The cost of an Excess Charge Notice is £45.00 and must be paid within 14 days. Please have the vehicle registration and Excess Charge Notice Number available.
To find out all the ways you can pay your parking fine see Car Parks – How to Pay Car Parking Fines page
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| Q |
How do I object or appeal against a Excess Charge Notice (ECN)? |
| A |
If a motorist wishes to object or appeal against the issuing of a ECN, then a letter outlining the reasons why (including your full name and postal address) should be forwarded within 14 days to the Car Parks Section, see Car Parks Contact Details
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| Q |
What will happen if my appeal is rejected and I do not pay the charge? |
| A |
If after 14 days after the date of the rejection letter has elapsed, and the £35.00 or £45.00 charge has not been paid, then the matter will be passed to the Councils' solicitors and a summons will be issued for the motorist to appear at court. This may result in further costs being incurred should the appeal be rejected.
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| Q |
What do I do if I have been a victim of crime? |
| A |
It is very important that all car crime, whether warranting an insurance claim or not, is reported to the police on 0845 6060606.
This ensures that accurate records of all vehicle crimes are kept so that resources can be allocated to areas or initiatives to prevent such instances occurring again.
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| Q |
Can I load/unload in a 'pay and display' parking area? |
| A |
Anybody wishing to load/unload in a 'pay and display' area may do so for up to 30 minutes without purchasing a 'pay and display' ticket. However you must be in the process of loading/unloading at all times, and once completed you must either move your vehicle or purchase a 'pay and display' ticket.
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| Q |
Can I undertake building or maintenance works from 'pay and display' areas? |
| A |
If you are a contractor wishing to undertake works and a vehicle is required to be parked in a 'pay and display' space, then please contact the Car Parks Section, (see Car Parks Contact Details), before commencement of the works, stating your vehicle registration number, make/model of vehicle and the anticipated length of stay.
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| Q |
Are Business Permits Issued and how do I apply for one? |
| A |
Business Permits or Long-Stay Permits are available only for long-stay 'off-street' car parks, and for long-stay 'on-street' areas. The permits only cover individual areas i.e. Wakefield, Pontefract or Castleford, and cannot be used outside of the area.
The cost of the permit depends upon which permit is purchased. Go to Long Stay Car Parking Permits for further details and to obtain full conditions for the use of a long-stay permit or to download an application form.
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| Q |
Where can I park by motorcycle and how much does it cost? |
| A |
Motorcycles can currently park free of charge in any Wakefield Council controlled 'pay and display' car parks.
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| Q |
Who is eligible and how do I apply for a Residents Parking Permit? |
| A |
Every Resident who lives within a Residents Parking Area, who keeps and uses a vehicle, may apply for a Residents Permit. Residents Permits will only be issued to applicants residing at an address within a Residents Parking Scheme.
To request an application form for a permit, see Car Parks Contact Details
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| Q |
How do I report a Residents parking scheme that is being abused? |
| A |
Although the Car Parks Section administers the Residents parking schemes it is the police and their Traffic Wardens that enforces the schemes. You therefore need to make contact with the local Police Traffic Sergeant for your area.
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| Q |
Who is eligible and how do I apply for a Visitors Parking Permit? |
| A |
Every Resident who lives within a Residents Parking Area, may apply for a Visitors Permit, even if they do not keep or use a vehicle. Visitors Permits will only be issued to applicants residing at an address within a Residents Parking Scheme.
Only one visitors permit is allowed per household, and there is a £5.00 charge for lost or stolen visitors permits.
To request an application form for a permit, see Car Parks Contact Details
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