District: Uttlesford

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.

Parking charges suspended for key NHS workers

Posted 27/03/20 @ 01:03pm

Hand shown using NEPP's new website.

PARKING charges have been suspended for critical health and social care workers.

Following an agreement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) has suspended charges for key NHS workers.

The plan means NHS staff will not have to pay to park in council car parks or at the roadside whilst carrying out their frontline duties.

NEPP also plans to waive any fines received by health and social care workers while carrying out their duties over recent days.

Workers are encouraged and will be supported to appeal the fines, with supporting evidence from their employer.

Free parking will be in place until further notice.

Robert Mitchell, chair of NEPP, said: “Critical workers are doing vital and highly valued work, day and night, to support the most vulnerable in our society, save lives and keep our country running through this unprecedented crisis.

“The NEPP welcomes its role in helping key workers get to work – enabling them to park in on-street bays or council-owned car parks without having to worry about cost or time restrictions.

Click here to find out more about how NEPP responded to the Covid-19 pandemic
Covid-19 Information

Patrol Update

Posted 19/03/21 @ 11:03am

We have been regularly reviewing our levels of enforcement since the imposition of the Government’s Covid-19 measures back in March 2020. All our patrols are being carried out as normal, however we have now suspended the enforcement of ALL single yellow line restrictions following a further review on the 19th March 2021. 

All other restrictions, including those within residential permit areas and car parks, are being enforced as usual. 

It is important to note that the single yellow line restrictions do still apply and that where any obstruction may occur, both NEPP and the Police may enforce accordingly.

Social distancing and other precautionary measures will always be practiced by our officers in line with Government guidance. Where necessary, postal PCNs may need to be issued for us to operate as safely as possible.

It is important we carry out patrols to ensure roads are safe and clear for all users – particularly emergency services, deliveries, waste and recycling collection vehicles and outside schools. We would ask motorists to be mindful of this and continue to park considerately, legally and safely to ensure the roads remain accessible and safe.