Wokingham Borough Council has recently implemented its new residents parking protocol after it was agreed by the Council’s executive on September 30, 2011. A new protocol was adopted after the previous policy did not consider parking capacity issues on some of the boroughs roads.

Any road can be considered for a residents’ parking permit scheme and can be applied for by residents. However, the decision to implement such a scheme is based on evidence that there is a genuine parking problem for residents that is being made worse by the parking of vehicles not associated with the residential properties within the road.

The hours of operation are based on a road by road basis, taking into account the local conditions of that road and its surroundings. Various hours of operation are used within the borough, depending upon where the permit scheme is running.

The current set of standard charges for permits is proposed to remain the same at £30, with the exception of a carers’ permit which is now waived. Currently carer permits are charged at either £5 or £10 depending on the residents parking scheme. It is proposed to waive this charge considering equality for all vulnerable members of the public.

Cllr Keith Baker, executive member for transport, said: "Demand for parking on some roads in the Wokingham Borough can be more than the amount of kerb-space available. The aim of the residents parking protocol aims to maintain a balance between the demands of residents and keeping traffic moving and minimising unsafe and obstructive parking.

"Therefore, each proposed residential parking scheme will be fully assessed before it is implemented."

Although the residents parking protocol is implemented by the borough council the actual enforcement lies with the Police. 

Full details can be found on the residents parking protocol website page.