Residents' fears about move to digital parking permits

The change means that new paper permits will not be issued in the future, and there will be no need to display a physical permit in their vehicles.

Instead, digital permit details will be inspected by the council's Civil Enforcement Officers using their handheld devices.
People renewing paper permits must now register for a digital one instead.
However, a number of residents have voiced concerns about the new system.

Some residents fear that people not able to complete an online application, and who do not have anybody to help them, will be unable to apply.

A council spokesperson said: "We appreciate it can be difficult for some residents to access the internet. However parking permits have always been an option to purchase online. Residents would previously contact the council for support, or ask friends and family to help. 

"In future, residents who need additional help can contact the MiPermit telephone helpline on 0345 520 7007. This dedicated approach should mean residents have swifter resolutions to any questions, concerns or issues."

Another concern voiced by some residents is that there will be nothing to stop unscrupulous people from parking as they wish and gambling on an enforcement officer not being sent to the location for a few days.

The council spokesperson said: "Some residents have always taken the risk of not purchasing parking permits. The only difference now is that other residents will not know if they’ve done so. 

"Our Enforcement team patrols resident parking areas every day, and it will be more responsive, and quicker and more efficient to identify those vehicles without a valid permit and fine them. 

"If anyone is not sure if a vehicle has a valid permit or are concerned, then they can contact [email protected] to ask for a patrol to go to that location."

Asked to address claims by residents that there had been no public consultation before the changes were decided upon, the spokesperson said: "The council has been moving services online for years, and the majority of parking has been online for five years. 

"For example, paying a parking fine, or purchasing resident and visitor parking permits. The new and improved digital parking permit processes will make it easier for residents, and allow them to complete all of their parking activity online in one place, including when they change their car or purchase season tickets."

Another concern, raised by some commentators on social media, was that the organisation awarded the contract for the new system had no experience in this branch of parking enforcement.

The council spokesperson said: "This is incorrect. MiPermit is used in dozens of local authorities across the country for lots of permit types and that includes resident parking. For example, in Bristol and in London, which both have significantly more resident parking zones than Swindon. 

"The council has successfully used this company for nearly 10 years. MiPermit is a payment system for digital permits and cashless parking, while they supply services to parking authorities like Swindon, they do not patrol, enforce or issue fines on our behalf. 

"They already manage all of our permits, Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) and other enforcement issues, including Enviro crime fines and we are very pleased with the results." 

Cllr Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Organisational Excellence, said: “Last year, the council issued over 3,000 paper permits to residents, and thousands of visitor permit books.  Introducing digital parking permits is a way for the council to simplify the process, save time, money and effort and make life easier for everyone who lives in a Parking Permit zone. 

“Digital permits have worked well for volunteers who gave up their time to help with the Covid Vaccination Centre at Steam so I am certain this change will be successful, and welcomed. 

“There is no need to wait for a physical permit to be delivered or display anything in the window of your car. Going digital also means we are scrapping charges for damaged, lost or destroyed permits or changes to registered vehicle registrations.”