Residents Parking Scheme
Highways & Environment
Environment House
Lombard Street
West Bromwich
B70 8RU

Tel: 0121 569 4051
Fax: 0121 569 4015
Email: highways@sandwell.gov.uk
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.30pm - Friday 8.30 - 5.00pm

Residents' parking bays are provided in residential areas where parking from nearby businesses or shopping areas encroaches and prevents residents from parking close to their houses. They are not generally provided where the problem stems solely from there being more vehicles belonging to residents than spaces available.

If you feel that residents' parking bays are required in your street, please write to the above address. If appropriate, questionnaires will be issued to all households to ascertain residents' views, as schemes are only introduced if a majority of households are in favour.

Permits

Only vehicles displaying either a resident's permit or a visitor's voucher may park in a residents' parking bay either at all times or during certain periods specified on accompanying signs. Vehicles not displaying a valid permit may be issued with a parking ticket (Penalty Charge Notice). Some bays are known as 'shared use' bays, where vehicles not displaying a permit may park for a limited period of time, during certain periods of the day. Time plates will indicate where this is possible and it may also be necessary to pay and display a valid ticket.

Annual permits are available for residents and visitors' voucher scratch cards for their visitors.

Waivers can also be provided for workmen's vehicles, removal vans etc. which need to park in residents' parking areas.

• Who qualifies for a resident's permit?
• How much do they cost?
• Note for blue badge holders
• How to use your permit
• Your duties as a permit holder
• Renewing your permit
• Lost / Stolen permits
• Withdrawal of your permit
• How do I obtain a parking waiver?

Who qualifies for a resident's permit?

Residents who keep and use a car, a van with an unladen weight not exceeding 35cwt (1,778kg), or a motorcycle, on a full-time basis, will normally qualify for a permit. A maximum of two permits will generally be issued to each household; a 'first' and 'second' permit if there is another vehicle registered at the same address.

Businesses whose premises are located within a residents' permit area may qualify for a business permit for a vehicle which is required for operational reasons such as a delivery vehicle.

How much do they cost?

The 'first' residents' permit costs £20 for a year, the 'second' £25.

Visitors' vouchers are available (for purchase by residents) at a cost of £5 for a book of 20 two-hour scratch cards, and £6 for a book of 10 six hour cards. Weekly permits may also be issued in special circumstances at a cost of £6.

In order to prevent potential abuse, there are annual limits on the number of visitor vouchers which will be issued to any household.

Business permits are £55 for one year.

Note for blue badge holders

In Sandwell, vehicles displaying a valid blue badge may park in bays reserved for residents for a maximum of three hours, provided the time clock is also displayed, set at the time the parking commenced.

How to use your permit

Your residents' permit should be displayed in your vehicle, so that it is clearly visible from outside the vehicle, whenever your vehicle is parked in an area designated for resident permit holders.

Visitors' vouchers may only be given to those calling at the permit holder's address. The voucher must be "scratched" to reveal the date and time the parking commenced. The voucher must then be displayed clearly in the windscreen of the vehicle.

How to apply for a permit

Application forms for residents' permits are available from: The Parking Control Office, 3 St. Michael's Court, Victoria Street, West Bromwich, B70 8FJ; telephone number 0121 553 2453.

You will need to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle and proof of residence at the relevant address.

Your duties as a permit holder

It is your duty to ensure:

• Your permit is valid and clearly visible from outside the vehicle when displayed
• Your permit has not expired
• That the registration number is correct
• Your permit is used in accordance with the conditions of issue

Renewing your Permit

You will be responsible for renewing your permit when it expires. Residents' permits are valid for one year and you will not be sent a reminder prior to the expiry date. If you change your vehicle - send in the old permit with your new vehicle details to the address listed under how to apply. Proof of ownership of the new vehicle will be required. An administration charge of £3 will be made for issue of a replacement permit.

Lost or Stolen permits

Lost permits will not normally be replaced. If your permit has been stolen and you can supply a crime reference number from the Police, then the permit may be replaced.

Withdrawal of a permit

A permit may be withdrawn or invalidated if :

• It is found that a permit is not being used in accordance with these guidelines
• It is found that a person is no longer eligible to hold a permit
• The permit is altered or defaced in any way or passed to unauthorised users

How do I obtain a parking waiver?

Applications for waivers should be made to : The Parking Control Office, 3 St. Michael's Court, Victoria Street, West Bromwich, B70 8FJ ; telephone number 0121 553 2453. We will need details of the type of work being undertaken, the exact location (e.g. including house number), the date and times the waiver is required for and the vehicle registration number. Please give as much notice as possible when applying for a waiver. There is a charge of £3 per vehicle up to one week.