Parking in the District of North Dorset

General Information

North Dorset District Council is responsible for the management of off-street vehicle parking in the district.  At present the council has 22 Car Parks within the district that form part of the North Dorset (Off-Street) Parking Places Order (PPO).   Also forming part of this Order is a Schedule which outlines all charges and parking arrangments within these car parks.  A complete list of car parks is as follows:

Charging

All chargeable car parks are designated pay and display; this means once a vehicle is parked within a parking bay a ticket must be purchased from the meter and displayed on the front windscreen of the vehicle.  An adhesive back can be removed from the ticket and then used to secure the parking ticket to the windscreen, this will ensure that it does not move from the windscreen.  Should a ticket not be visible then a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) may be issued.

If a motor cycle does not park in the designated motorcycle bay then a ticket must be purchased. It is advisable to tear the ticket in half vertically and place one half on the vehicle and retain the other.

Parking Permits

It is possible to purchase Parking Permits at the following Car Parks:  Angel Lane and Bell Street, Shaftesbury; Eagle House Gardens, Langton Road (Long Stay) and Marsh and Ham, Blandford Forum; Chantry Fields, High Street and Gas Lane, Gillingham and Station Road, Sturminster Newton.  Application Forms can be downloaded from this site (please click car park of your choice for form) but as there are restrictions on the number of allocated permits per car park it may be beneficial to contact  the Car Park Services Officer (01258 484315) for confirmation of availability of permits prior to applying.

Permits are purchased per annum and cost between £175.00 and £220.00 this will allow a vehicle to be parked in the designated car park when required.  They are allocated per car park and are not transferable between vehicles or car parks.  Registration numbers (maximum of 2 numbers), designated car park and expiry date are included on each Permit.

Parking Permit Conditions of Use:

1. When a car is parked on any day a Parking Permit must be displayed clearly showing all details on its face in the front windscreen of the vehicle.

2. A Permit remains the property of North Dorset District Council and it can be withdrawn for misuse.

3. The issue of a Permit does not guarantee the holder a parking space, nor does it render NDDC subject to any liability in respect of loss or damage to any vehicle or its contents or fittings.

4. The responsibility for applying for the renewal of a Permit rests with the holder.

5. A vehicle is likely to be issued with a PCN if it is parked in contravention of the PPO or the Permit is expired, not displayed correctly or not for the relevant vehicle or car park

Coins

All car park meters accept 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 coins and do not give change therefore it is advisable to use the correct money when purchsing tickets.

If a meter is out of order, please use an alternative meter when one is available.

If a Meter is not Working

The council would appreciate that a non-working meter be reported as soon as possible.  The number to contact is 01258 484315.  When doing so please state your name, telephone number, time you found the meter not working and location of meter, you may be asked at which position in the car park as some car parks have more than one meter.

Parking Fines - Where They Are Issued and How Much They Cost

Parking fines (known as ‘Penalty Charge Notices’) are issued to people who have broken Parking regulations:

• in Council Car Parks
• on street parking spaces or
• parking on yellow lines.

The Penalty Charge Notice amount is approved by Government, if you pay the fine promptly within 14 days, there is a reduction. Thereafter the full amount is payable.

Appealing a Fine

If you feel you have been issued with a fine incorrectly, you have the right to appeal. This can only be done by writing following the steps below.

Step 1 - Making your first appeal

Write to the address on the back of the fine, giving:

• Your name and address
• The number of the Penalty Charge Notice
• Full details of your appeal

Step 2 - If your appeal is turned down

If your challenge is turned down you will be sent details on how to take your appeal to an independent appeal hearing. This will be conducted by an impartial legal representative who will reassess your case, either at a personal hearing or by post.

The result of this decision will be binding on all parties.

If Your Fine Remains Unpaid

Step 1

If the charge remains unpaid, a ‘Notice to Owner’ will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle. You must then either:

• Pay the full charge within 28 days.
• Or if you haven't already done so make an appeal.

Step 2

If you do nothing, a ‘Charge Certificate’ will then be sent and the charge will increase by 50%. If you receive a ‘Charge Certificate’, you must pay the charge within 14 days. There is no right of appeal at this stage.

Step 3

If you do not pay the charge, it will be registered as a debt in the County Court, a court fee will then be added and an ‘Order of Recovery’ will be sent to you.

Step 4

If you receive an ‘Order of Recovery’ you must either pay the charge within 21 days or complete a ‘Statutory Declaration’, which is enclosed with this document.  If you do nothing, the Court will grant authority for a Warrant to be issued and a bailiff will be asked to recover the debt from you. The bailiff will charge for this.

Any enquiries relating to Penalty Charge Notices should be made in writing to Dorset Parking Services, P.O. Box 5101, Dorset. DT11 9WG.  Telephone enquiries can be made (telephone 01258 450447) however, only appeals in writing will be accepted.

Disabled Parking

Disabled drivers may park free of charge for up to 3 (three) hours in designated parking bays in Pay and Display car parks in North Dorset.  A disabled badge and clock must be displayed prominently in the vehicle.  When parking in any other bay a ticket should be purchased from the meter.  Most Pay and Display Car Parks have wide bays dedicated to disabled drivers. However, you may incur a Penalty Charge Notice if you park outside marked bays, or fail to display your badge and clock.

Dogs in Vehicles

You are advised not to leave dogs in vehicles unaccompanied during hot weather. It is the policy of this Council to report such incidents to both the Police and the RSPCA.

Obstructions of Highways and Footpaths

Dorset Police are responsible for enforcing obstructions of the highway and footpaths where no other parking restrictions are in force e.g. yellow lines.

Civil Enforcement Officers do not have the powers to deal with these offences unless there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement.  In these instances, a Penalty Charge Notice can be issued as the vehicle would be parking in contravention of a traffic order. Waiting restrictions cover the highway from the centre of the highway to the building line.

Illegally parked vehicles cost the Council thousands of pounds a year in damaged paving, damaged grass verges and cause serious problems for blind, disabled and older pedestrians.

Pavement Parking

Pavements are constructed and provided for pedestrian use.

Vehicles parked on pavements are:

• A hazard to pedestrians causing an obstruction which may result in them having to step off the pavement onto the highway, putting themselves in danger.
• A hazard by restricting the width of the pavement making it difficult for someone with a pushchair or wheelchair to pass safely.
• A hazard due to the damage caused by driving on and off the pavement – broken paving slabs etc.

Car Park Enquiries

Should you have any enquiries, comments or suggestions regarding car parks please contact North Dorset District Council during office hours. 

North Dorset District Council
Nordon, Salisbury Road
Blandford Forum
DT11 7LL

Telephone: 01258 454111
Fax: 01258 470198

Useful Links

Car park information can be found by visiting www.carparks4u.com/ and entering the town you wish to visit.  Whilst we have provided this link we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this site.  Please see above for any general enquiries.

www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp