Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us should you have any questions on parking in Oxhey.
Why are Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) being introduced?
For some time, parking for residents has been getting harder and harder in Oxhey, which is partly a result of there being no parking restrictions and commuters using the residential roads to park whilst they are at work. In response, the council undertook consultation with both residents and businesses on introducing a CPZ across Oxhey. Overall, residents were in favour of a scheme in two areas (Oxhey Village area was 62% in favour and Kingsfield Road area was 57%).
Therefore 2 new CPZs have been implemented in these areas. These are:
- Zone X (Oxhey Village area)
- Zone Y (Kingsfield Road area)
When do the CPZs for Oxhey come into effect?
Traffic Orders for the new CPZs in Oxhey came into effect from the 11 January 2021.
There are full details on parking permits later in these FAQs. Anyone who is visiting the CPZs will need to have a visitor parking permit.
For any parking operations issues, please contact Watford Borough Council’s Parking Service. Or call us, 8.45am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am to 4.45pm on Friday on 01923 278890.
What times do the CPZs operate in Oxhey?
The CPZs restrict parking as follows:
- Zone X (Oxhey Village area) 9am to 11am Monday to Friday inclusive
- Zone Y (Kingsfield Road area) 10am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday inclusive
During these times motorists will need to hold a valid permit or visitor voucher when parked in the areas.
These times will prevent commuter parking in the morning and still allow people to visit local businesses. With any CPZ, the times need to balance restricting parking to residents only with ensuring local businesses can still operate to protect local jobs and the prosperity of the area.
How will people know that Oxhey is a CPZ area?
Work was carried out installing signs across the CPZ area in December 2020 and this was completed by the 4th January 2021.
How will the new parking zones be monitored and enforced?
On a day to day basis, the council’s Parking Service will be monitoring the area for unlawful parking. This will be done by Civil Enforcement Officers, who work with the council’s parking enforcement contractor NSL.
Please refer to Question 8 for an update on enforcement during periods of Covid-19 national restrictions.
Project milestones
Key Project Milestones were undertaken during the following period:
- Week of 7 December 2020 - Permit applications open to residents and businesses through the Parking Service. This includes visitor permits.
- Week of 7 December 2020– Notice of making (NOM) to be placed in Watford Observer on Friday 11 December 2020 advising that from the 11 January 2021, the traffic order comes into effect.
- Week of 14 December 2020 – Civil Engineering Contractor to put in all new sign posts in readiness for the new restriction signs.
- Week of 4 January 2020 – Civils Contractor to put up all CPZ restriction sign plates and carry-out road marking works Please note that due to the regulations we are unable to place Zone Entry signs on the back of exiting signage. We have identified locations on street where repeater signs can be placed on to existing street furniture.
- Week of 11 January 2021 – Restrictions ‘Go Live’ and parking enforcement begins in Oxhey.
- Due to the National lockdown, which was in place on the 11th January 2021, parking enforcement of the CPZ areas was suspended, therefore whilst residents could apply for permits during this time, on street enforcement did not commence until 29th March 2021.
- If any parking operation issues arise contact Watford Borough Council’s Parking Service. Or call us, 8.45am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am to 4.45pm on Friday on 01923 278890.
Parking Permit Questions
When a permit scheme is introduced how many resident permits can be purchased?
Our current schemes allow two permits to be purchased per household, one per person.
How much do resident’s permits cost?
Our current schemes charges are:
- 1st permit to the household £25
- 2nd permit to the household £55
How would I apply for a resident permit?
Residents can apply online for a parking permit.
What are the qualifying criteria for a resident permit?
Residents are required to provide a document that confirms they are a permanent resident of the household (if the resident is on the current list of electors no residency document is required) and one document to confirm that the vehicle is registered to them at the address.
What happens if I have a visitor during the restricted hours?
Each household is able to apply for a virtual voucher permit account which will enable them to buy parking sessions to authorise their visitors to park in a permit bay during the restricted hours.
How do I apply for a virtual voucher account to purchase parking sessions?
Residents can apply online for an account.
How can I apply for a permit / voucher account if I do not have computer access?
If you are unable to use a computer or smart phone or don’t have access to either of these, you can call the Parking Service on 01923 278890. The service can discuss different ways you can set up account – for many people this can be done over the phone.
How can I book a visitor session if I do not have a computer?
Once a voucher account has been set up for a resident they do not need to use a computer as they can book parking using a landline number or mobile number.
How are visitor vouchers allocated?
Each household is able to purchase a set number of visitor vouchers each year 120 hours. To be fair to all residents, and in line with other CPZs in Watford, it is not possible to buy more than this number of hours. Senior citizens are entitled to twice this allocation.
What are the charges for visitor parking sessions?
- 11p per hour
Senior citizens are given a 50% discount on the above standard charges for vouchers.
How do I accommodate carers that visit during the hours of a parking scheme?
Care organisations are provided with Doctor Health Visitor permits specifically to assist their employees with visits to clients that live within the Controlled Parking Zones. Households also have the option to book parking sessions for carers and can allow others to access their account with their permission.
Where can I find further information on existing permit schemes?
Information is on the council’s website.
I have a blue badge (disabled badge holder) can I park in a designated permit bay/area during the restricted times?
No, only vehicles holding a valid resident permit or visitor parking session are able to park in a designated permit parking bay during the hours of the CPZ zone.
I am a blue badge holder (disabled badge holder) can I apply for a resident permit?
If you are a resident within the zone and a driver you can apply for a resident permit. If you supply confirmation that you hold a valid blue badge (disabled badge), along with proof of residency and vehicle ownership, the permit will be issued free of charge.
What do I do if a motorist parks across my driveway during the parking zone hours?
Contact the Parking Service on 01923 278890 with the details. If the motorist is a permit holder we will contact them. If the vehicle does not hold a valid permit or voucher session we will arrange for a Penalty Charge Notice to be issued. We cannot remove the vehicle in this instance.
What do I do if a vehicle appears to have been abandoned?
Report the vehicle to the council either through the council website via the abandoned vehicle page or by calling 01923 226400. Environmental Protection will investigate the matter and in the event the vehicle does not have a valid MOT or Tax, further action will be taken.
How does the council control the number of permits? If every house asks for two, but the council knows there are only limited spaces, will the council cap the number sold?
The council will not cap the number of permits, the current policy of two permits per household was adopted following a review of on street parking spaces in Watford when the council first introduced CPZs. The council’s CPZs generally operate till 6.30pm, taking into account the number of people likely to be at work, on holidays or out and about between 8am and 6.30pm, there is a high possibility that the road will not be 100% occupied by permit holders during hours of restriction.
We will continue to exclude new developments from our controlled parking zones to help maintain the level of demand for on-street parking spaces.
I have a company vehicle, can I still purchase a resident permit?
Yes, if a letter from the company is supplied confirming that the vehicle is issued to the applicant and the vehicle is held at the applicant’s address, along with the permit application and proof of residency. The number of permits per household remains at two (the company vehicle is not in addition to this allocation).
What will happen to residents who own more than two cars?
For the CPZ to have a positive effect we can’t offer more than two permits to each household – in most cases there is only room for one car outside each house. Therefore households with three vehicles or more will have to make alternative arrangements for their additional vehicles. This can include renting garage space or finding someone willing to rent a parking space on their property; there are various online schemes to do this.
Can businesses apply for a permit to park within the parking bay during the restricted hours?
Yes, businesses can apply for one business permit per business to use on two operational vehicles. This is only applicable to operational vehicles, not vehicles which allow employees to commute to work.
How much would a business permit cost?
A business permit for the Oxhey CPZ is £150.
How would a business qualify for a business permit?
The business will need to be at an address that is included within the zone and provide documentation to confirm that the business pays business rates along with documents to confirm that the vehicles are registered to the business.
The business must have no off street parking facilities/parking space within their business premises.
The vehicles designated to the permit must be operational vehicles.
How much is a dispensation for a tradesperson or someone working on my property?
£10 per day. Trades people and people working on your property will have to apply for a dispensation permit if they need to park during CPZ hours.
