Lawford Dale parking

Response to Cllr Guglielmi, from North Essex Parking Partnership (extract):

I am writing in response to your recent email regarding Lawford Dale and the request that parking enforcement be delayed until October 2020 as a result of Covid-19 and the fact some residents remain furloughed at home.

The issue of Lawford Dale has been raised with Senior NEPP management and the decision has been taken that enforcement will continue unchanged. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Parking Partnership has operated in a manner which we believe has benefited all individuals in the community. Enforcement was stopped for a period of time and we returned to full enforcement at the start of July, following a considerable period of phased enforcement. All details of our return to enforcement have been widely publicised and individuals given significant notice of when enforcement would return. 

Now that full enforcement has recommenced, it is felt that the Parking Partnership must be seen to operate with consistency and fairness to all residents throughout the partnership. Whilst there may be individuals who remain furloughed, this number is considerably below what it was and problems associated with parking have increased since lockdown measures were lifted. This has in turn meant that the number of complaints regarding parking issues has risen and many members of the public want to see the amount of enforcement increased.

The issues raised by your constituents are not restricted to Lawford Dale and are being experienced throughout the country. It would be unfair of the Parking Partnership to single out this community for non-enforcement whilst all other areas are enforced and Penalty Charge Notices issued to drivers. We must also be seen to operate in manner that protects the rights of those individuals not furloughed who have to try and find spaces to park during the day as well as other road users and pedestrians.

Should the situation change in the future in respect to the virus, the Parking Partnership will review its policies and take whatever steps are necessary to conform with Central Government advice. Whilst I appreciate that this may not be the response your constituents would wish for, I hope I have provided you with sufficient explanation to enable you to communicate back to those individuals.