Parking in Fareham Town Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will the parking permit cost?
£13.00 for any month period of £50 per annum. (Free for applicants who are disabled and holders of an blue badge.)



How many parking permits can I purchase?
2 Annuals or 1 Quarterly.

What if I decide not to purchase a permit but change my mind later?
A permit may be purchased at any time when the office is open to issue them. However please be advised that at least 7 days notice is required for processing an application. At the beginning of the month and They are valid for either is valid for either three months or one year. Please note that for new permits you will need to provide copies of the following documentation when you apply:

- Registration Document

- Recent Household Bill (date within the last 3 months)

- Drivers Licence or Passport





Where can I park if I purchase a permit?
Anywhere on the lengths of road or scheme designed for residents'' parking as stated on the permit.





Can my friend or visitors use my permit?
No. The permit will show your name, address and car registration number.





During what hours will the Residents'' Parking Scheme operate?
Please refer to the signs relating to each residents parking scheme as hours may vary.



Who enforces the Residents'' Parking Scheme?
Civil Enforcement Officers.

What happens if I move house and have purchased a Permit?
You may be entitled to a refund only on full months calculated at the Quarterly Rate from the date the request was received at the Parking Services Department

How can I find out more about the scheme?
For current resident permit schemes please contact parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk or call 01329 236100. For enquiries requesting new resident parking schemes please contact engineering.transportation@fareham.gov.uk or call 01329 236100.





Can I complete an application form for a Permit?


A Residents Permit Application Form (36Kb) for a Permit is available, alternatively please contact parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk or call 01329 236100.



Can I buy a season ticket?
Annual and quarterly season tickets are available for long stay car parks only. Please complete and send the Season Ticket Application Form (222 Kb) to the Parking Services Department.



Where can I park if I am a disabled badge holder?
There are a large number of conveniently situated bays reserved for disabled badge holders, throughout the town. Blue Badge holders can park free in all pay and display car parks, only if the Blue Badge is clearly displayed in the parked vehicle, with the expiry date facing upwards. The exceptions are the Pay on Foot car parks, where Blue Badge holders are required to pay. Blue Badge holders who are Borough residents can apply to the Council for a swipe card allowing free entry and exit to the Pay on Foot car parks.





Where can I park my motorbike?
Solo motorcycles may park free of charge in any of the areas within the car parks specifically marked for motorcycle use. If there is no are specifically marked for motorcycles (sometimes indicated by m/c) then you may park in other marked bays that are not otherwise restricted, for example you could not park in a Disabled Bay.



Why do I have to pay for parking?
You have to pay for parking in any car park in the town centre. In addition to raising income to pay for maintenance of existing and provision of new car parks, charges also ensure an adequate turnover of parking spaces for shoppers and short term visitors. If the Council did not charge, the cost of maintenance would fall on Council Tax payers and car park visitors would make no contribution.



Why don''t you pay for the car parks'' maintenance with savings you would make if you no longer needed to employ Enforcement staff?
Even if parking was free, patrolling would still be required to provide a regular supply of convenient parking spaces for shoppers. A maximum period of waiting would need to be introduced, and this, together with other regulations would still need to be enforced. Enforcement staff also act as a deterrent to crime.



Why don''t you provide change machines?
Change machines are an inviting target for theft. The very nature of the machines requires that they be full of cash at all times. No cash is left in ticket machines overnight. The Council may consider introducing a scheme for payment by cards. Change is provided in the Pay on Foot car park payment machines, Osborn Road Multi Storey Car Park and Market Quay Car Park.





Why don''t I get a refund if I pay for an hour and only stay for five minutes?
The charging structure is such that any stay up to one hour is the same charge. The Council is very aware of the competition from "out of town" shopping stores and neighbouring local authorities and these factors are borne in mind when setting the parking fees.



Why can''t I pick someone up and drop someone off in the car parks?
You can, but you must comply with the parking regulations by stopping in a marked bay and purchasing a parking ticket.



The car parks are provided for the off-street parking of vehicles. If casual setting down/picking up were to be allowed, congestion would cause delays and frustration to car park users.





Why do you insist on the ticket being stuck to the windscreen?
A ticket on the dashboard can turn over when the car door is closed. If stuck on a side window and it falls it will disappear from view. If stuck on the windscreen just above the dashboard, it will probably still be visible to the Enforcement Officer on the dashboard should it fall.



For further information on parking in Fareham Town Centre or for any other details please contact the Parking Department in the Department of Regulatory Services on tel: 01329 236100 ext: 2355 or e-mail parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk.



What is Fareham Parking Enforcement?
Since 2 April 2007 Fareham Borough Council have been responsible for enforcing traffic regulations such as limited waiting, double or single yellow lines, no stopping at bus stops. Previously the responsibility for enforcing these lay with the police and was carried out by traffic wardens.



Other regulations will remain under the jurisdiction of the police – such as moving traffic offences – one way streets, turning bans, speeding restrictions on driving, endorsable offences, parking on zigzag lines, obstruction of highways, accesses, footways.



The Fareham Parking Enforcement Service covers the management and enforcement of both on and off street parking throughout the Borough. The service is delivered in line with the Parking Enforcement Policy that sets out the main principles for enforcement associated with the delivery of this service.





What does the Parking Service consist of?
There are currently eleven Civil Enforcement Officers in the team (including one Supervisor and three Team Leaders). Civil Enforcement Officers work a shift system as enforcement takes place seven days a week; this does include evening and Bank Holiday patrols.



The members of this team will be able to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to any vehicle which contravenes a restriction.





If I receive a Penalty Charge Notice, what will the process be?
CEOs will only issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if a vehicle has contravened the regulations in place. These will be served and placed on the front windscreen of the vehicle, handed to the driver or sent through the post, for more details please see the Traffic Management Act 2004 page.



Penalty Charge Notices will be either £70 or £50 depending on the level of contravention (which would be indicated on the Notice) and must be paid within 28 days. A 50% discount will be granted if paid within 14 days.



There are several payment options, by cheque, online, on the automated telephone service, or personally at the Cash Office at the Civic Offices and these are outlined on the rear of the Penalty Charge Notice.



There is obviously a right to appeal and this must be done by completing the PCN Challenge Form, this can be sent in by post or via e-mail to parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk. This should include PCN number, full name and address and any supporting documents, for example, invoice, delivery note or copy of Blue Badge showing the serial number and expiry date. In most cases the discount period will be reset if an appeal is made within 14 days of the date of issue of the PCN.



Unresolved disputes are settled through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. This is an independent tribunal body based in Manchester.



It is important to note a Penalty Charge is a civil debt and non-payment will be pursued by Fareham Borough Council through the County Court system. Non-payment could ultimately lead to bailiff action.

For more information on how to Appeal please see the following links: - www.patrol-uk.info (this is an external hyperlink) or www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk (this is an external hyperlink).



Does this mean that the Council will review its position on residents'' parking schemes?
Yes, but not immediately. The Council is preparing a Fareham Town Centre Parking Strategy, which will consider the opportunities for introducing residents’ parking schemes in the vicinity of the town centre, where there is a high incidence of commuter or shopper parking. Any subsequent schemes that are introduced would need to be self-financing, and be informed by the initial period of operating the new enforcement regime.



Can I park outside a school to pick up/drop off my child(ren)?
Parking outside schools should be discouraged for the safety of the children. Zig zag markings at the entrance to some schools mean drivers must not stop, even to drop off or pick up. The Civil Enforcement Officers will enforce this regulation by serving Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), either by placing the PCN on the vehicle, handing it to the driver, or sending the PCN through the post. The police can also enforce these regulations as parking outside schools is an endorsable offence, which will incur penalty points on the driving licence.



Is it possible to park on verges to keep out of the way of passing traffic?
Vehicles parking on verges and pavements are becoming an increasing problem throughout the Borough - it is contrary to the Highways Act, can often be an obstruction to other users of the highway and if there are double yellow lines it is an offence under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, resulting in the issue of a parking ticket. Parking on verges may also damage public ultilities plant in the verge or may leave unsightly or hazardous ruts. Motorists should therefore not park on verges.



Fareham Borough Council is not an enforcing authority for verge and pavement parking and reports should be made to the police non-emergency number 0845 045 4545. The Council has introduced Traffic Regulation Orders making parking on verges in certain streets in the borough an offence, as part of an on-going programme.



For more information contact: tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: engineering.transportation@fareham.gov.uk