Kingsdown Residents Parking Scheme

It even has its own logo:

After the recent rubber-stamp, by the Bristol Council Cabinet, here are the grim details of the new Residents Parking Scheme. Notably absent from all the documention: the word “Pilot”.

The first permit for each household will cost £30 per annum; the second permit will cost £80 per annum. In exceptional cases where a third permit is issued, it will cost £200 per annum.

That’s equivalent to a 7% rise in council tax for a Band D property with two cars, or 4% for a single-mum in a Band A property with one old banger. But if she spends £14,000 on a brand new “low carbon, high smug” Polo, she’s quids in.

• Each household (as defined in 1.1) can apply for up to 100 visitors’ permits per annum.
• Each visitors’ permit will be valid for one day.
• The first 50 permits will be issued free of charge; subsequent permits will cost £1 each.

The mickey-mouse financial analysis (see Appendix 5) from the council suggests that two-thirds of the running costs will be derived from income other than selling permits. And all of the first 5 years surplus will be used to cover the up-front capital costs (although inflation and the time-value of money don’t rate a mention).

Now I can’t work out how the Parking Services team have arrived at a break-even figure over 5 years, so my official view is that this scheme is “unsustainable” as the bureaucrats say, and exists only as a means to an end; to expand parking control over the rest of Cotham, Redland and Clifton in vainglorious pursuit of the mythical car-free city, so beloved of middle-class policy wonks (apart from me).

Business Permits

Bristol City Council continues to build on its reputation as a great place to do business by placing the following constraints on businesses operating in the zone:

1.1.Businesses located in the defined Residents’ Parking Scheme area can apply for a business permit.

1.2.These permits will only be issued for a vehicle essential to the operation of a business during the course of the working day. Permits will not be issued to vehicles used for commuting to or from work.

1.3.Each business can apply for one business permit at a cost of £100 per annum.

1.4.A business permit will not be issued if the business has access to off-street parking of any kind.

1.5.The applicant will need to provide proof of their business address and a declaration of the use of the vehicle for and in the course of business. A copy of insurance documentation showing that the vehicle is insured for business purposes will also be required.

1.6.The applicant must supply the vehicle registration document (V5). If the document is not in the applicant’s name then the applicant must also supply a signed letter from the registered keeper confirming that they are authorised to use the vehicle. If the vehicle is a leased vehicle, then an official letter from the leasing company stating that the vehicle is leased to the applicant’s employer must also be supplied.

1.7 Credit will only be given if the applicant is aged over 75 and accompanied by both parents.

One of those is a joke. See if you can guess which one.

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