main content Technology solution for Orpington parking

An innovative parking system will be introduced in Orpington as part of the solution to manage parking when the Station Road car park site is redeveloped. The high tech proposal also includes the provision of a Variable Message System in the town centre to direct motorists to available car park spaces.

The scheme follows granting of planning permission for a Tesco store at the site. Consultation with local councillors, residents associations and other community groups will take place later this year once detailed plans are drawn up and comments will be reported back to the Environment Portfolio Holder meeting.

“We need to be as fair as possible to everyone affected including residents during the building phase. We recognise the importance of parking to the economic viability of the town and have worked with businesses to minimise disruption to their staff and customers. Consideration has been given to the various car park users - including visitors, commuters and businesses” said Councillor George Taylor, Executive Councillor for the Environment.

Research shows that 526 car parking spaces are needed while the new store is constructed. Additional spaces will be found on and off street which includes plans for additional parking around the library area that will feature permanent landscaping - which has been a long held aspiration and lottery funding had been applied for in the past.

Station Road car park will remain open until construction begins, which will not start until mid 2006 at the earliest.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• The high technology parking solution will involve a ‘cashless’ payment system for ‘on street’ parking spaces. The technology, which is already in use in Holland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, is increasingly common with motorists experienced in paying for tolls online and ‘electronically’. It allows different tariff structures to be set according to the length of stay of individual motorists. The proposed system works by providing the driver with a transponder card that can be placed in the windscreen, replacing paper parking tickets or permits. Parking attendants read the information about the parked car by scanning the transponder card to obtain a unique account number. The system can also incorporate arrangements for casual parkers as well as regular parkers. It allows motorists to avoid penalty charge notices (PCNs) and reduces the need for pay and display machines which can ‘clutter’ streets.
• The Variable Message System will consist of a series of electronic signs which show motorists how many available car parking spaces there are in the town centre. This will make it easier for motorists to know where and when there are available spaces and avoid unnecessary queuing and congestion.

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