For those who have been waiting what seems a lifetime for the parking zone to come into effect in the Dryburn area of Framwellgate Moor, just a couple more months left. Implementation will take place on 1st November, with permits being available from 11th October.You should shortly receive the details if you live in the affected area. The link below takes you to the map you should receive through the post from the council. The parking permits will be available from the Parking Shop on North Road. (tel: 01913846633.)

For anyone who was (or wasn’t) keen on the idea, please let me know what you think in the months after it has been implemented. Full details of the scheme are detailed below.(some links go to Durham County Council website)

Whilst I know there were some residents against this, I am sure that the final outcome will be beneficial and look forward to hearing from you with comments about how it works in practice.

Map of proposals: Framwellgate – Dryburn area – Parking Zone

Framwellgate Moor Controlled Parking Area Permits

Parking within certain areas of the Framwellgate Moor Controlled Parking Area (CPA) is restricted to permit holders only between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Saturday.  Outside these times, parking is free to any drivers. Failure to display a valid permit during operational hours may result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) being issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer.

Parking permits

Residents living within the Framwellgate Moor Controlled Parking Area can apply for a range of permits.  If you find you are not eligible for a permit, you may wish to consider using Option C, a not-for-profit organisation that allows you to book cars in advance for personal use. The following permits are available from the Parking Shop:

• Resident Permit
• Resident Visitor Permit (scratchcard)
• Carer’s Permit
• Builder Permit

Resident Permits

Resident Permits will only be issued by the Parking Shop to residents within the CPA at a cost of £30 per year. Permits for three, six or nine month periods are available for temporary residents, eg students with a tenancy agreement.

Resident permits can only be used in the Framwellgate Moor CPA. The permits are not vehicle specific and can be transferred between vehicles.

Permits will not be issued for passenger vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes or those longer than 6 metres.

The permit allows residents to park in permit holder only areas.

A maximum of three permits will be issued per household. Properties which are multiple occupancy, such as a house sub-divided into flats, will be treated as one residence and will be eligible to apply for two permits unless it is split into several discrete flats and is registered with the Council as such. In this case each flat will be entitled to one permit.

Resident Visitor Permit (scratchcard)

Scratchcards will only be issued by the Parking Shop to residents within the CPA and can be purchased at a cost of £3.00 per book. A maximum of two books may be purchased per household per 28 day period. The following types of scratchcard book is available:

• Fifteen 3-hour scratchcards

The scratchcard allows visitors to park in permit holder only areas. Three of the 3-hour scratchcards can be used for a full day’s parking i.e. the tenth hour is free. There is no limit on the number of scratchcards that can be used consecutively to allow a visitor to stay all day or for a number of days.

Hotels and guesthouses may apply for up to four books of resident visitor scratchcards per month.

Carer’s Permit

A Carer’s permit will only be issued by the Parking Shop to residents within the CPA. There is no charge. Permits for one, three, six or twelve month periods are available.

The permit allows carers to park in permit holder only areas.

The permit should be kept by the resident and should be displayed in the carer’s vehicle when required. Carers’ Permits may only be given to those calling at the permit holder’s address. It is the householder’s responsibility to ensure that their permit is retrieved from the carer’s vehicle at the end of their stay.

A resident is eligible for a Carer’s permit if they are:

• Registered blind (letter required from Visual Impairment Services)
• In receipt of Higher Rate Mobility or Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance (letter from the Department for Works and Pensions required)
• Receiving War Pensions Mobility Supplement
• A permanent user of a wheelchair (confirmed by local Centre)
• Aged 85 or over and have ‘severe walking difficulty’ (proof of age only)
• Suffering from dementia (certified by hospital authorities)
• Suffering from a terminal illness (certified by GP or hospital)
• Suffering from certain neurological disorders which developed after 65 and affect mobility or require help from another person, including strokes, Parkinson’s Disease or Motor Neurone Disease (confirmed by GP or hospital)
• Under 2 but requiring bulky medical equipment to be carried at all times

Builder Permit

Builder Permits will only be issued by the Parking Shop to building contractors undertaking work at a residential property within the CPA. The permit costs £20 per week.

The permits are for use in any of the building contractor’s vehicles. Permits cannot be used in vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes or those longer than 6 metres.

The permit allows builders to park in permit holder only areas.

A maximum of two permits will be issued per residential property.

Picking up and dropping off of passengers

Drivers may stop in a permit holders space to pick up or drop off passengers but waiting for passengers is not permitted.

When picking up or dropping off you must stay with your vehicle at all times unless any of your passengers need help getting in or out of your vehicle.

Loading and unloading

Loading and unloading is permitted in permit holder only areas. Loading and unloading is considered to be taking place where items are being taken to and from a vehicle, however, this does not cover packing, unpacking, assembly or stopping to have a conversation. Stopping to go to the toilet is also not covered. As soon as the last item is loaded or unloaded, the vehicle must be moved or a valid permit displayed.

Exceptions

Suspensions

You can apply to the Parking Shop to have permit holder only regulations suspended. However, you must apply in advance. Regulations can sometimes be suspended to accommodate:

• building and demolition works
• excavations in or adjacent to a parking bay
• work by utility companies in or adjacent to a parking bay
• removals and deliveries
• weddings and funerals

Bank Holidays

Permit holder only areas are not active during Bank Holidays.

Blue Badge holders

Blue Badge holders can park in permit holder only areas without charge or time limit.