Why we introduced parking permit charges

Contents

In March 2024, the Council approved its latest budget. Like many councils across the country, Bradford is facing rising costs and growing demand for services. One area affected is the cost of running and maintaining parking permit schemes, which has continued to increase.

Until now, parking permits for residents and visitors were free. However, this was no longer affordable and was different from what neighbouring councils were doing. So, the Council decided to introduce charges to help cover the costs.

These charges are allowed under the Local Government Act 2003, which says councils can recover the cost of running services. Any extra money made from parking charges can be used to improve traffic and road safety, as allowed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Before making these changes, the Council followed all legal steps, including a public consultation.

Return to the contents

New permit prices

The Council reviewed permit charges and compared them with other local councils. The money raised helps maintain parking and traffic schemes.

Here are the new annual charges:

Permit type Annual cost
Resident £35
Visitor £35
Special (see below) £35
Health and Social Care Visitor £35
Additional Visitor Permit* £40
Business (within residential areas) £80

*This is a new type of permit and may only be available in certain areas.

Return to the contents

Public consultation

In August 2024, the Council launched a formal consultation on the proposed changes. It ran until 16 September 2024.

The consultation was called: ‘(Tariffs And Charges) (No. 1) Order 2024 – Revision of Pay and Display Charges and Permit Charges’

As required by law, the Council shared the proposed changes by:

  • Publishing a notice in a local newspaper
  • Making documents available at Council offices

These steps helped inform both residents and non-residents.

Why we didn’t use posters in the community: Because there are over 350 parking schemes across the district, putting up posters (like on lampposts) would have been too expensive and difficult to manage. This method is usually used for small, local changes.

Return to the contents

What people said

We received 527 objections, including:

  • 375 from residents
  • 15 from visitors
  • 8 from businesses
  • 10 from workers
  • 2 from councillors
  • 117 unspecified
  • 1 petition from residents in Bingley with 148 signatures

Most objections (502) were about having to pay to park outside their homes.

Parking Services and Highways reviewed all objections and wrote a report with responses. After reviewing everything, the Council decided to go ahead with the changes as planned.

Return to the contents

When the charges started

  • Letters were sent to permit holders through the Permit-Smarti system.
  • The new charges were announced on 3 October 2024.
  • They officially started on 10 October 2024.

If you already have a permit, it will stay valid until it expires. When you renew it, the new charges will apply.

Return to the contents

Your data and privacy

We only collect the information needed to manage the permit scheme. For residents, this includes:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Vehicle registration
  • Email (unless you don’t use digital services)

For visitor permits, the resident provides the same details, plus the registration numbers of any visiting vehicles.

This information helps our wardens check if a vehicle is allowed to park. They can only see the registration number and whether it’s valid - no personal details about the visitor are shown.

We’ve used an online permit system since 2017. To apply, you need to show proof of address and vehicle details. This has always been required, even before the system went online.

Return to the contents

Visitor parking permits – what you need to know

How many visitor passes can be used at once?

Most households in resident parking zones can have one visitor permit. You can store up to 10 regular visitor car registrations on your permit, but only one car can be active at a time. This means only one visitor can use the permit at any given moment.

Allowing more than one visitor to park at once could block roads and cause safety issues, so it’s not allowed.

To use the permit, you must activate the visitor’s car registration when they arrive. The cost of a visitor permit is £35 per year.

Can I get an extra visitor permit?

Some areas may be eligible for an additional visitor permit (cost: £40 per year). To request one:

  • You must already have a visitor permit.
  • You’ll need to send an enquiry, which will be reviewed by a Highways Officer to see if there’s space in your area.

How do I change the active visitor vehicle without using the internet?

You can:

  • Log in to your Permit Smarti account, or
  • Call Parking Services on 01274 434300 and ask to speak to an advisor.

What if I have a visitor outside office hours or unexpectedly?

  • Update the active vehicle online via your Permit Smarti account, or
  • Call 01274 434300 and leave a message with:
    • The visitor’s car registration
    • Time of arrival
    • Your home address

If a parking fine is issued, this message will be considered as part of any appeal.

Return to the contents

Changes to parking schemes

What if no one in my area wants a parking scheme anymore?

You can request a review to remove a Residents Parking Permit Scheme (RPPS), but it must be supported by a petition.

  • Signed by at least 10 households or 15% of properties in the zone (whichever is greater)
  • Must explain why you want the scheme removed (for example, less parking pressure, cost concerns)
  • Can also suggest changes like reducing the scheme or changing fees

If a scheme is removed, the Council won’t manage parking issues in that area unless they break parking laws.

You can view current and past parking schemes here: 🔗 Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) – arcgis.com.

How do we request a new parking scheme for our area?

Creating a new scheme is a long and expensive legal process. Right now, funding comes from the Safe Roads budget, which also covers things like:

  • Pedestrian crossings
  • Traffic calming
  • Junction improvements

Because of limited funding, new schemes are only considered in areas with serious, long-term parking problems.

If your request meets the Council’s criteria, it will be added to a waiting list until funding becomes available.

Why do I need a permit if I live on an unadopted road?

Unadopted roads and private roads are different:

  • Unadopted roads aren’t maintained by the Council, but if the public has the right to use them, they’re still considered public highways. This means the Council can legally include them in a permit scheme.
  • Private roads are fully owned and not open to the public. The Council can’t include these in a permit scheme unless all owners agree.

Bradford Council does not run permit schemes on private roads.

What about carers and health workers visiting my home?

If you need regular care, there are options to help:

  • Additional visitor permits may be available if you have regular visits from carers or family members. You’ll need to provide evidence from the carer or healthcare provider.
  • Health and Social Care Visitor Permits are available for professional carers. These allow them to park in any residential zone for a limited time. Usually, the care company applies for these permits on behalf of their staff. Cost: £35 per year.
  • Special Permits can be requested if you need multiple carers visiting. Each case is reviewed individually by the Highways team. Cost: £35 per year.

In some cases, it may be better for the care agency to apply for a permit instead of the resident. These permits allow carers to park in any scheme area for up to 2 hours and remove the need for the resident to manage the permit.

Emergency vehicles do not need a permit and can attend any home at any time.

What if non-residents are using our parking spaces?

If your parking scheme isn’t being enforced properly, email the location details to: 📧 [email protected] A warden will be sent to check the area.

What if I hire a tradesperson to work at my home?

If you’ve hired someone (like a plumber, decorator, or electrician), you can:

If a company is doing work on the street (like utility repairs), they must arrange their own parking permissions.

🕗 Between 8am and 6pm (Monday to Friday), tradespeople must have a valid permit or be added to your visitor permit to avoid a fine.

Landlord/Contractor permits are also available for essential work and cost £10 per week. These can be applied for online.

Parking on a restriction for work or operational reasons

If you need to park on a restricted area (like yellow lines) for work - such as placing a skip or carrying out building work - you’ll need a waiver permit. This allows your vehicle to park legally for operational reasons.

Waiver permit costs:

  • Council car parks: £15 per space per day (plus VAT)
  • On-street spaces:
  • £15 per space (up to 5 metres) per day with advance notice
  • £20 per space per day if less than 24 hours’ notice is given

Waivers may be granted for:

  • Building works
  • Window cleaning
  • Scaffolding
  • Special events
  • Shop fitting
  • Glazing
  • Filming

Do I need a permit for quick drop-offs or deliveries?

No permit is needed for short visits like dropping off or picking someone/something up. However, if the vehicle is parked for longer than a few minutes, a fine may be issued. Wardens observe for 5 minutes before issuing a penalty.

Hosting an event or party?

If you're expecting multiple visitors, contact: 📧 [email protected]. Please give at least 5 working days’ notice.

Help for residents without internet access

If you can’t apply online, you can apply by post. Send the following to:

Parking Permits Team PO Box 848
Bradford
BD1 5UH

Include:

  • Proof of address (for both resident and visitor permits)
  • Vehicle documents
  • A phone number
  • For visitor permits: up to 10 regular visitor registration numbers
  • A letter explaining you don’t have internet access or someone to help you apply

Only one visitor vehicle can be active at a time, even if 10 are listed.

You’ll receive confirmation by post if you don’t use email. To update visitor details later, call 01274 434300.

Where can I park with my permit?

You can park anywhere within your designated scheme area. You don’t need to register on someone else’s permit if you’re already in the same scheme.

⚠️ Permits only work in your own scheme zone./Using it in another zone will result in a fine (except for Health and Social Care Visitor Permits, which are valid across all zones).

Who can park outside my home?

The householder (the person who pays Council Tax) decides who to add to their visitor permit. If a car is parked in the scheme and not registered, it may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Can I get a paper parking permit?

No. Bradford Council no longer issues paper permits. All parking permits are now virtual.

Here’s why:

  • Better for enforcement: Wardens can instantly check if a vehicle has a valid permit using their handheld devices.
  • Environmentally friendly: No need to print and post paper permits.
  • Easier for residents: You can manage your permit details online anytime.
  • No risk of losing it: Virtual permits are linked to your address and can’t be misplaced.
  • No replacement fees: Paper permits used to cost money to replace if lost or damaged.

The virtual permit system has been running successfully in Bradford for over 4 years, and the Council has no plans to return to paper permits. Most councils across the UK now use virtual systems too.

Need help with the change?

The Council understands that switching to a digital system can be challenging for some residents. If you’re having trouble or have a question that hasn’t been answered, please contact Parking Services or the Highways team. They’re here to help and will update the information sheet with answers to common questions.