We are calling for an immediate pause of the Parking Permit Trial Scheme and a democratic vote on whether a trial should go ahead.  

Clarendon Park Parking Permit Scheme: 

In 2016, a democratic vote was held in which Clarendon Park unanimously voted 71% against the scheme. The main issue is that the council have pushed through a trial scheme without a mandate, with 2 previous votes against a permit scheme. 

The council states they've had ‘countless requests’ for a scheme. However, a Freedom of Information Act request shows there has been just 14 complaints since 2017. Does this mean we only need 15 signatures for action? 

The local Councillors have also stated their 2019 local election win (a 30% turn out) is a mandate to implement such a scheme, without a local vote. 

Further Issues:

-You are not guaranteed a parking space, the scheme will not reduce the number of cars in Clarendon Park. Merely pushing vehicles onto neighbouring streets outside of the permit scheme. 

-The scheme doesn't allow for clients/customers to park in Clarendon Park during the hours of 9:30am-10:30am. Local businesses have stated they haven't been properly consulted on the scheme. 

-Ironically, lawyers have also advised the Parking Permit signs are illegitimate, stating no parking "9:30 - 10:30am." rather than "9:30am-10:30am" Meaning fines wouldn't hold up in Court. 

-The scheme limits each house to 4 parking permits- whilst the council still grants Houses of Multiple Occupancy licences to large 6/7 bedroom terraced houses in Clarendon Park. Where are these residents supposed to park? Are rental residents second class citizens not entitled to personal transport?  

-The scheme is also administratively poor, some addresses have received 3 separate conflicting letters in recently weeks some stating they're included in the scheme and some that they are outside the scheme. The Parking Office have personally admitted they’ve had difficulties pinpointing addresses in/out of the zone.   

-The council insist the scheme is to reduce commuter parking, namely University staff/students parking and walking onto campus. A 550-space multi-story carpark is due for completion in early 2021 on the University Freeman's Common complex to solve this problem. 

We've been in contact with council, who admit and accept the region has consistently voted against a parking permit scheme, but they've had "continued requests" direct to ward councillors from certain members of the community. I reminded Leicester City Council that unfortunately, despite 14 special requests, democracy should prevail. 

We are utterly stunned as to why this has been pushed through and forced upon us during the pandemic, without community engagement and another vote. The council have utilised the COVID restrictions to attempt to push this through without proper community deliberation.