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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/dec/06/council-parking-permit-rules
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Why does the council sell me a parking permit, but won’t enforce rules? | Why does the council sell me a parking permit, but won’t enforce rules? |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| I sometimes can’t park and I’ve been told the council has been unable to carry out enforcement for two years. I want a refund | |
| Anna Tims | |
| Wed 6 Dec 2017 07.00 GMT | |
| Last modified on Fri 8 Dec 2017 06.55 GMT | |
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| I believe my local council has acted dishonestly by continuing to take money for parking permits when it is not enforcing parking restrictions. | I believe my local council has acted dishonestly by continuing to take money for parking permits when it is not enforcing parking restrictions. |
| I only found out when I contacted it over an increase in vehicles being parked without permits in my road, meaning that sometimes it is impossible to find a space. | I only found out when I contacted it over an increase in vehicles being parked without permits in my road, meaning that sometimes it is impossible to find a space. |
| I was told that the council is currently unable to carry out any parking enforcement and the head of parking services suggested that this has been the case since 2015. | I was told that the council is currently unable to carry out any parking enforcement and the head of parking services suggested that this has been the case since 2015. |
| This has never been announced to residents, who have continued to receive reminders to renew their permits before they expire. | This has never been announced to residents, who have continued to receive reminders to renew their permits before they expire. |
| I requested a backdated refund of £230 for two years, but all I have been offered is a refund on the amount unused if I return my permit. | I requested a backdated refund of £230 for two years, but all I have been offered is a refund on the amount unused if I return my permit. |
| TB, Winchester | TB, Winchester |
| Councils collected £1.6bn from motorists in fines and permit charges in the last year according to a survey released by the RAC Foundation this month. | Councils collected £1.6bn from motorists in fines and permit charges in the last year according to a survey released by the RAC Foundation this month. |
| That left them with a record £816m profit after costs were deducted. Small wonder then, that Winchester City Council didn’t tell you that permits were no longer needed. | That left them with a record £816m profit after costs were deducted. Small wonder then, that Winchester City Council didn’t tell you that permits were no longer needed. |
| The council explains that the problem lies with the road markings, which are the responsibility of Hampshire County Council. | The council explains that the problem lies with the road markings, which are the responsibility of Hampshire County Council. |
| “Unfortunately the lines in one particular area are not clear enough to meet the standards which we know the national parking adjudicator requires for ‘fair’ enforcement,” says a spokesperson. | “Unfortunately the lines in one particular area are not clear enough to meet the standards which we know the national parking adjudicator requires for ‘fair’ enforcement,” says a spokesperson. |
| “Had we publicly given notice to remove this particular road from the scheme, the result could have been a ‘free for all’ with residents and commuters competing for very limited on street parking. A valid resident parking permit means residents have been able to park in any of the 10 streets in this zone which have been continuously enforced.” | “Had we publicly given notice to remove this particular road from the scheme, the result could have been a ‘free for all’ with residents and commuters competing for very limited on street parking. A valid resident parking permit means residents have been able to park in any of the 10 streets in this zone which have been continuously enforced.” |
| In short, you have paid £230 for the privilege of parking several streets away from your house. | In short, you have paid £230 for the privilege of parking several streets away from your house. |
| Hampshire County Council insists the lines in your road are visible, but after I got in touch it decided repainting would begin within a fortnight. | Hampshire County Council insists the lines in your road are visible, but after I got in touch it decided repainting would begin within a fortnight. |
| If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number. | If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number. |
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