Council reveals blue badge schemes for ANPR-controlled car-parks

12:11pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Simon Farr

Easton Street car-park will trial the ANPR system Easton Street car-park will trial the ANPR system

A COUNCIL will offer blue badge holders two dispensation options as it prepares to trial its mooted camera operated car-parking system.

Wycombe District Council said it has plans in place for blue badge holders after several contacted the BFP to express their concerns about the introduction of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.

Badge holders who only use one vehicle will be able to register it, display the badge as normal, and the ANPR system will not charge them.

The second option, for blue badge holders who have access to more than one vehicle or who rely on lifts from relatives, will be issued a “payment card” on registering their details with the council.

WDC said motorists would still have to display the blue badge but, on returning to their car, they would use the card to wipe off the parking charge.

ANPR, which reads number plates as they enter and exit car-parks and automatically calculates how long vehicles have stayed, will be installed at all WDC car-parks, bar four, if a two-month trial is successful.

The trial period starts in the Easton Street and Railway Place car-parks in High Wycombe from April and, if successful, will be rolled out town-by-town - starting in Princes Risborough - by the end of October.

The authority says the system benefits motorists, as they will no longer have to hunt for loose change or rush back to their vehicles as they do under a pay-and-display system, which will also result in fewer fines.

WDC said ANPR will also provide greater business opportunities and increase income, as it will prevent motorists from ‘passing tickets’.

Parking charges are to remain unchanged under the new system, WDC said.

Comments (11)

12:40pm Tue 12 Mar 13

sparky49 says...

Yet another example of hitting the most vulnerable in society. Why don't WDC use ANPR for the size of car, that way the Chelsea tractor brigade pay more because they can afford it and the young er drivers with smaller fiesta type cars pay less as is reflected with car insurance and road tax.
Yet another example of hitting the most vulnerable in society. Why don't WDC use ANPR for the size of car, that way the Chelsea tractor brigade pay more because they can afford it and the young er drivers with smaller fiesta type cars pay less as is reflected with car insurance and road tax. sparky49

12:51pm Tue 12 Mar 13

Welwyn Dowd says...

Wycombe will start differential charging next. The ANPR is linked to the PNC and DVLA computers which will then tell them the tax category of the car - small ones standard charge, bigger ones higher charge. Oh, and if your tax, insurance or MOT is expired find your car locked in before being towed away. If you think this is fantasy look at LBs of Ealing and Brent. Spelthorne, Woking and Bracknell already do it too.

If you live outside Wycombe and have a Blue Badge don't even think about coming here. Wycombe should put up signs on the roads coming in. 'Historic Market Town' and disabled unfriendly.
Wycombe will start differential charging next. The ANPR is linked to the PNC and DVLA computers which will then tell them the tax category of the car - small ones standard charge, bigger ones higher charge. Oh, and if your tax, insurance or MOT is expired find your car locked in before being towed away. If you think this is fantasy look at LBs of Ealing and Brent. Spelthorne, Woking and Bracknell already do it too. If you live outside Wycombe and have a Blue Badge don't even think about coming here. Wycombe should put up signs on the roads coming in. 'Historic Market Town' and disabled unfriendly. Welwyn Dowd

1:09pm Tue 12 Mar 13

Yorkshiretyke1 says...

Several carparks in the district have bottle banks in them. Presumably there has to be a short, free time allowed in order to use these?
Several carparks in the district have bottle banks in them. Presumably there has to be a short, free time allowed in order to use these? Yorkshiretyke1

1:34pm Tue 12 Mar 13

The Nomad says...

Not quite sure how the issue of "passing tickets" is proven to be eradicated at Easton Street Car park which is a pay on return car park, as part of this trial. As this car park does not have that problem
Also the "rush back to the vehicle" is again an non event at this car park

In other words the trial at Easton Street car park won't prove the benefits of the new system but will doubtlessly be touted as a huge success!
Not quite sure how the issue of "passing tickets" is proven to be eradicated at Easton Street Car park which is a pay on return car park, as part of this trial. As this car park does not have that problem Also the "rush back to the vehicle" is again an non event at this car park In other words the trial at Easton Street car park won't prove the benefits of the new system but will doubtlessly be touted as a huge success! The Nomad

3:47pm Tue 12 Mar 13

Mutley says...

Simon (reporter), perhaps you could follow this article up by probing the council for answers to questions as yet unanswered:-
As Easton Street already operates a pay-on-exit system with machines that accept cash or cards and which give change, why has it been chosen as one of the pilots?
.
Railway Place is currently free overnight and Sundays and Easton Street has a fixed charge for these periods - does the new system account for this?
.
What will be the initial "free" time limit be to allow for finding no spaces to park in, drop-off, use of recycling facilities etc.?
.
What will be the procedure for disabled visitors to the town who may just be passing through/one-off day trippers to get their parking free?
.
If the trial is starting in April, why has there been no publicity from the council nor public consultation?
.
What are the criteria against which to judge the success/failure of the trial?
.
Why have the council "stolen" the only two disabled bays in Easton Street Car Park which have flat (via the lift) wheelchair-friendly access to street level so that they can park their own vans?
.
.
There, that should be a start to confirm that the BFP utilises journalists and not just reproduces of press releases.
Simon (reporter), perhaps you could follow this article up by probing the council for answers to questions as yet unanswered:- As Easton Street already operates a pay-on-exit system with machines that accept cash or cards and which give change, why has it been chosen as one of the pilots? . Railway Place is currently free overnight and Sundays and Easton Street has a fixed charge for these periods - does the new system account for this? . What will be the initial "free" time limit be to allow for finding no spaces to park in, drop-off, use of recycling facilities etc.? . What will be the procedure for disabled visitors to the town who may just be passing through/one-off day trippers to get their parking free? . If the trial is starting in April, why has there been no publicity from the council nor public consultation? . What are the criteria against which to judge the success/failure of the trial? . Why have the council "stolen" the only two disabled bays in Easton Street Car Park which have flat (via the lift) wheelchair-friendly access to street level so that they can park their own vans? . . There, that should be a start to confirm that the BFP utilises journalists and not just reproduces of press releases. Mutley

4:57pm Tue 12 Mar 13

readerabc says...

Mutley wrote:
Simon (reporter), perhaps you could follow this article up by probing the council for answers to questions as yet unanswered:-
As Easton Street already operates a pay-on-exit system with machines that accept cash or cards and which give change, why has it been chosen as one of the pilots?
.
Railway Place is currently free overnight and Sundays and Easton Street has a fixed charge for these periods - does the new system account for this?
.
What will be the initial "free" time limit be to allow for finding no spaces to park in, drop-off, use of recycling facilities etc.?
.
What will be the procedure for disabled visitors to the town who may just be passing through/one-off day trippers to get their parking free?
.
If the trial is starting in April, why has there been no publicity from the council nor public consultation?
.
What are the criteria against which to judge the success/failure of the trial?
.
Why have the council "stolen" the only two disabled bays in Easton Street Car Park which have flat (via the lift) wheelchair-friendly access to street level so that they can park their own vans?
.
.
There, that should be a start to confirm that the BFP utilises journalists and not just reproduces of press releases.
totally agree mutley

Easton street you cant swop tickets, or run out of change as you surrender your ticket to exit.

indeed WDC are using an easy target to prove a dodgy scheme

and as you say why have they taken the only 2 level access disabled bays for their own vehicles? surely a business puts its own in the unwanted locations- 11th floor? not peak customer places -

lets just close the town- it wouldbe easier

what about an ad-hoc blue badge user - do they get a swipe card? or visitors?

WDC are trying to close the town down!

come on BFP lets have some real investigations, not "fed by WDC armchair journalism"

why havent WDC publicised the trial??
[quote][p][bold]Mutley[/bold] wrote: Simon (reporter), perhaps you could follow this article up by probing the council for answers to questions as yet unanswered:- As Easton Street already operates a pay-on-exit system with machines that accept cash or cards and which give change, why has it been chosen as one of the pilots? . Railway Place is currently free overnight and Sundays and Easton Street has a fixed charge for these periods - does the new system account for this? . What will be the initial "free" time limit be to allow for finding no spaces to park in, drop-off, use of recycling facilities etc.? . What will be the procedure for disabled visitors to the town who may just be passing through/one-off day trippers to get their parking free? . If the trial is starting in April, why has there been no publicity from the council nor public consultation? . What are the criteria against which to judge the success/failure of the trial? . Why have the council "stolen" the only two disabled bays in Easton Street Car Park which have flat (via the lift) wheelchair-friendly access to street level so that they can park their own vans? . . There, that should be a start to confirm that the BFP utilises journalists and not just reproduces of press releases.[/p][/quote]totally agree mutley Easton street you cant swop tickets, or run out of change as you surrender your ticket to exit. indeed WDC are using an easy target to prove a dodgy scheme and as you say why have they taken the only 2 level access disabled bays for their own vehicles? surely a business puts its own in the unwanted locations- 11th floor? not peak customer places - lets just close the town- it wouldbe easier what about an ad-hoc blue badge user - do they get a swipe card? or visitors? WDC are trying to close the town down! come on BFP lets have some real investigations, not "fed by WDC armchair journalism" why havent WDC publicised the trial?? readerabc

8:11pm Tue 12 Mar 13

buser says...

sparky49 wrote:
Yet another example of hitting the most vulnerable in society. Why don't WDC use ANPR for the size of car, that way the Chelsea tractor brigade pay more because they can afford it and the young er drivers with smaller fiesta type cars pay less as is reflected with car insurance and road tax.
Being severely physically disabled and very tall. I physically cannot get into or drive a'smaller car' nor does my wheelchair or walking trolley fit into the boot of a'smaller car', it is not a case of being wealthy or showy, just **** right practical. I am more than willing to do a straight swop, blue badges and car + the physical disabilities, for a 'smaller car'.
[quote][p][bold]sparky49[/bold] wrote: Yet another example of hitting the most vulnerable in society. Why don't WDC use ANPR for the size of car, that way the Chelsea tractor brigade pay more because they can afford it and the young er drivers with smaller fiesta type cars pay less as is reflected with car insurance and road tax.[/p][/quote]Being severely physically disabled and very tall. I physically cannot get into or drive a'smaller car' nor does my wheelchair or walking trolley fit into the boot of a'smaller car', it is not a case of being wealthy or showy, just **** right practical. I am more than willing to do a straight swop, blue badges and car + the physical disabilities, for a 'smaller car'. buser

9:32am Wed 13 Mar 13

readerabc says...

oh and today WDC are painting new disabled bays in easton street. by taking over 2 standard sized parking bays!

how the heck are we meant to unload a family member into a wheelchair from that? we can barely get out of the car in the standard sized spaces!

come on BFP - INVESTIGATE! get out of your armchair
oh and today WDC are painting new disabled bays in easton street. by taking over 2 standard sized parking bays! how the heck are we meant to unload a family member into a wheelchair from that? we can barely get out of the car in the standard sized spaces! come on BFP - INVESTIGATE! get out of your armchair readerabc

12:52pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Voyeur says...

WDC could implement a pay on foot parking system without the added cost of ANPR. For some reason they have refused to do it for years if not decades.
WDC could implement a pay on foot parking system without the added cost of ANPR. For some reason they have refused to do it for years if not decades. Voyeur

2:44pm Wed 13 Mar 13

PiffleMan says...

Voyeur wrote:
WDC could implement a pay on foot parking system without the added cost of ANPR. For some reason they have refused to do it for years if not decades.
Sounds like someone needs to either do some homework, or 'engage brain'

surely pay on foot is more expensive to install and operate? all the extra equipment and being able to respond to problems?
ANPR is simply a couple of extra cameras, no need for barriers (moving parts) no need for someone to be present (or available) constantly. If the system doesnt work surely council will lose money!!
[quote][p][bold]Voyeur[/bold] wrote: WDC could implement a pay on foot parking system without the added cost of ANPR. For some reason they have refused to do it for years if not decades.[/p][/quote]Sounds like someone needs to either do some homework, or 'engage brain' surely pay on foot is more expensive to install and operate? all the extra equipment and being able to respond to problems? ANPR is simply a couple of extra cameras, no need for barriers (moving parts) no need for someone to be present (or available) constantly. If the system doesnt work surely council will lose money!! PiffleMan

3:45pm Wed 13 Mar 13

readerabc says...

or cars will be incorrectly charged for parking they didnt use!! what about drop off/pick ups that dont stay in the car parks?
or cars will be incorrectly charged for parking they didnt use!! what about drop off/pick ups that dont stay in the car parks? readerabc

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