Category: Covid-19

British Parking Awards Finalists

Posted 25/08/21 @ 11:08am

Hand shown using NEPP's new website.

The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) has been shortlisted as a finalist for three awards in the national British Parking Awards 2021 recognising organisations that have made a significant contribution to improving parking.

Having won the Communications award and been finalists in another two categories last year, the Partnership is keen to continue its success and has been shortlisted in the Communications Award, Positive Responses to the Pandemic Award and Parking as a Service Award categories this year.

The ‘Communications Award’ category recognises imaginative, engaging and informative approaches adopted by parking organisations to communicating with the public and other organisations. NEPP has been shortlisted for its messaging throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, helping to keep customers as up to date as possible. This includes a dedicated coronavirus webpage to keep residents informed, three videos including showing the benefits of using contactless MiPermit payments and work on social media highlighting the Positive Parking Agenda (PPA) and Selfish Parker campaigns.

The ‘Positive responses to the pandemic award’ will be awarded to recognise and honour the exceptional work that parking teams have done to support the NHS, local authority clients and communities across the UK manage, mitigate and fight the coronavirus pandemic. Along with the dedicated coronavirus webpage, NEPP extended support to NHS staff members by offering a free parking permit. Single yellow line restrictions were eased to allow for increased homeworking and less commuters during the lockdown stages of the pandemic. Residents were also offered a three-month extension to their residents parking permits.

The ‘Parking as a service award’ is presented for creating a positive experience for motorists, recognising work done to create easy-to-understand, non-confrontational and person-centric services. NEPP have created a positive experience for motorists by supporting the Positive Parking Agenda which focuses changing perceptions and misconceptions towards parking, as well as the Don’t be a Selfish Parker campaign. In addition, recognition is given to the 3PR and Park Safe Schools projects which aim to tackle dangerous and illegal parking around schools.

Cllr Sue Lissimore, North Essex Parking Partnership Chair, said: “I’m incredibly pleased that NEPP has been shortlisted once again in multiple categories for the prestigious national British Parking Awards. NEPP continues to receive recognition across the parking sector for its innovation, communications, customer service and project work with partner authorities and I look forward to the results next month.”

Originally launched in 2002, The British Parking Awards seeks to recognise and celebrate best practice, innovation and achievement in the design and management of both public and private sector parking.

The 2021 winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 24 September at Royal Lancaster, London.

NEPP wins big at the British Parking Awards

Posted 29/09/21 @ 10:09am

The very best of parking management was celebrated at the prestigious British Parking Awards 2021, last Friday, which saw North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) scoop three of the coveted glass trophies – equalling its 2019 tally and adding to its 2020 Communications Award.

NEPP triumphed in the Positive Responses to the Pandemic Award, for its exceptional work to support the NHS, local authority clients and communities across north Essex to manage, mitigate and fight the coronavirus pandemic. Along with its dedicated coronavirus webpage, NEPP extended support to NHS staff members by offering a free parking permit. Single yellow line restrictions were eased to allow for increased homeworking during the lockdown stages of the pandemic, and residents were also offered a three-month extension to their residents parking permits.

NEPP picked up a further prize, when it beat stiff opposition to win the Parking as a Service Award. The award recognises work that delivers a positive experience for motorists by creating easy-to-understand, non-confrontational and person-centric services. NEPP’s win recognised its work to support the Positive Parking Agenda, which focuses on changing perceptions and misconceptions towards parking, as well as the Don’t be a Selfish Parker campaign. The 3PR and Park Safe Schools projects were also singled out for helping to tackle dangerous and illegal parking around schools.

And, finally, there was a special prize for Richard Walker, NEPP’s Parking Partnership Group Manager, who was lauded with the MiPermit Inspiration Award for making a significant contribution to improving parking. Richard joins the ranks of previous Inspiration Award winners as an exemplar of excellent practice who has inspired colleagues, clients and the wider parking community.

Cllr Sue Lissimore, Chair of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “I’m delighted and enormously proud that the innovative and positive approach NEPP has taken towards creating a positive experience for motorists has been recognised and celebrated once again at these prestigious national awards. I would like to congratulate NEPP and its dedicated staff on their fantastic achievement, winning three awards for the second time in three years. We will continue to work hard to ensure this excellent work continues.”

The awards were held at the Royal Lancaster in London, on Friday 24 September 2021.

For more information about the awards and to view the results, please visit: http://www.britishparkingawards.co.uk/2021/home.php

North Essex Parking Partnership responds to second lockdown

Posted 03/11/20 @ 07:11pm

Hand shown using NEPP's new website.

When the second lockdown period in England starts on 5 November, the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) will continue to operate and prioritise patrols on safety critical routes and ensure roads are accessible outside schools and for Essential Vehicles such as Emergency Service vehicles, waste collections and deliveries.

NEPP is also continuing to provide support to local motorists during this difficult time and, following the second lockdown announcement, resident parking permit holders living in Braintree; Colchester; Epping Forest; Harlow; Tendring and Uttlesford will be contacted via their online MiPermit accounts regarding a temporary extension to their permits.

One-hour single yellow line restrictions, where commuters might usually park, will also be relaxed during the lockdown period to support home-working. Motorists must still avoid causing an obstruction and must keep access clear for Essential Vehicles.

To assist all NHS key workers during this difficult period, NEPP is also operating a digital parking permit scheme for NHS employees. The scheme aligns with the Government’s own offering, providing free parking stays for NHS staff in NEPP managed car parks in Braintree; Colchester; Harlow and Uttlesford, while they’re on duty. More information about this scheme can be found on the NEPP’s website.

NEPP also understands that some of its customers may be under financial pressure at the moment. To help with this, NEPP is offering three additional payment options to help customers pay any Penalty Charge Notices (parking tickets). Customers must let NEPP know which, if any, of these three options they wish to take up. Further information about these is available at http://www1.parkingpartnership.org/north/onlinepayments

To enable staff to carry out essential patrols, NEPP is encouraging motorists to act responsibly, park safely, observe parking restrictions and respect its staff who are working hard to keep the roads safe for everyone’s benefit. To help reduce the spread of Covid-19, where possible, any motorists using car parks, are also urged to make contactless payments via MiPermit.

Motorists are also being encouraged to use NEPP’s website to find information and make payments where possible, and staff will provide help and support for anyone who contacts its enquiry line. Please be advised that callers may experience a longer wait than usual.

Councillor Robert Mitchell, Chairman of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “We learnt a lot during the first lockdown earlier this year and I’m incredibly proud of the way NEPP adapted services, provided support and has continued to respond to this ever-changing situation to keep roads clear, moving and safe. Our experience also means we’re in a better and stronger position to keep traffic moving, and to keep people parking safely during this next lockdown.

“Our staff will continue to do everything they can to ensure the safe flow of traffic and assist responsible parking as this situation evolves. With schools remaining open, we will also prioritise these restrictions, making sure children can be dropped off and collected from school safely.

“There are still no excuses for careless or inconsiderate parking, and we are asking all motorists to park responsibly and considerately. The number-one priority is to maintain access for essential services and schools, for the benefit of all.

“We are working with our partners to monitor and respond to the changing parking habits in the light of Covid-19 and new ways of working.

“I would ask everyone to keep calm, be reasonable and park considerately. We regard any form of abuse towards our staff as totally unacceptable. Our staff wear body-worn cameras for their, and the public’s, protection so evidence from these will be used if required.”

NEPP will continue to review its operations in line with the latest Government advice and guidelines. For further information about parking in North Essex during the current pandemic, please visit NEPP’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage at http://www1.parkingpartnership.org/north/coronavirus

NEPP calls on motorists to continue to park safely and considerately

Posted 23/03/20 @ 01:03pm

Hand shown using NEPP's new website.

Motorists are being encouraged to act responsibly and observe safety and critical-route parking restrictions, as wide-ranging efforts continue to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) issued the appeal in response to a series of unprecedented measures announced by the Government in recent days to help tackle the impact of the virus, which has seen normal life put on hold for the foreseeable future.

NEPP’s traffic officers are already focusing patrols on safety-critical routes and areas, while relaxing patrols in some areas to react to changing needs. The key priorities will be to manage the safe movement of traffic and ensuring safe access for emergency vehicles and other essential services such as waste and recycling lorries.

NEPP has responded to the crisis by helping to maximise parking spaces in one-hour single yellow line restrictions where commuters might usually park, by relaxing those parking restrictions to enable home-working. Motorists must obey usual rules to avoid causing an obstruction and must keep access clear, especially for emergency and waste collection vehicles.

NEPP will also be contacting all Resident Permit holders, via their online account in MiPermit or other contact details on record, regarding a temporary extension to their permits.

It is also looking at NHS permits and how more parking space can be made available. NEPP recognises the role that NHS staff are carrying out and will be honouring NHS permits where it is safe to park. More details will be provided on the NEPP website.

NEPP will continue to provide help for anyone who contacts its enquiry line but advises callers that they may experience a longer wait than usual as we move to restricted hours.

Cllr Robert Mitchell, Chairman of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “The current reaction to COVID-19 requires an unprecedented flexibility to parking that NEPP is proud to demonstrate. I can reassure the public that our officers are here to help, as always, but will continue to do everything they can to ensure the safe flow of traffic and responsible parking as this situation evolves.

“Most importantly, I would ask everyone to keep calm and be reasonable. There are no excuses for careless or inconsiderate parking, and we are asking all motorists to park responsibly and considerately. The number-one priority is to maintain access for essential services, for the benefit of all.

“If you are self-isolating and required to move your vehicle because it is parked illegally, then you should expect to do so if you are well enough.

“We are working together to enable parking for residents during commuter restrictions where parking patterns have temporarily changed.

“Where reports of increased verbal abuse have been received, this remains unacceptable and will be reported using evidence from body-worn cameras, as per usual. Please let our officers provide their best service.

“The bottom line is: Park up but, when you get out of your vehicle, consider carefully to see if you could have done it better or safer – and then move your vehicle if necessary!

Christmas Operational Update

Posted 23/12/20 @ 10:12am

Hand shown using NEPP's new website.

We are currently operating our services on a ‘business as usual’ basis, taking into account the pre-planned festive disruptions. We acknowledge that parts of Essex are currently in Tier 4 whereas others are, as things stand, in Tier 2.

Civil Enforcement Officer patrols are continuing in all NEPP districts, both on and off-street and resident permit schemes are operating as usual. Resident permits and visitor permits must therefore be used at all times, including where signage does not state ‘except bank holidays’.

Our business unit, including our customer services, are operating on a planned reduced service as is the case each year. Telephone lines will therefore only be open on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st December for customer queries before returning to normal operations on the 4th January 2021.

MiPermit will operate as normal throughout the festive period however their telephone lines will not be in operation until the 4th January. All other MiPermit services – including their app, website and SMS services – will operate in the usual way.

However in light of the tiered restrictions the Government is constantly reviewing, we will review all NEPP operations on the 4th January 2021 and provide further updates should additional operational measures need to be taken. Until this time, no further changes to our services are planned.