Hundreds of PCNs Issued in Springbridge Road Car Park

Former councillor says Ealing shoppers' spaces taken by 'NHS fat cats'

Former Conservative councillor Phil Taylor is claiming that hundreds of shoppers in Ealing are being fined after spaces in the Springbridge Road car park were redesignated for what he describes as ‘NHS fat cats.’

After receiving a penalty charge notice (PCN) for parking in one of the spaces, Mr Taylor made a freedom of information request to find out how and when the spaces were reallocated.

The documents released disclosed that Ealing Clinical Commissioning Group (ECCG) has an arrangement with Ealing Council in which they pay £25,000 per annum for 20 parking spaces in the car park in central Ealing.

The changes to parking arrangements in the car park were made on 20 January 2016. The Council say that posters were put up in the car park informing users of the changes. After an initial period in which any car parked without a permit in one of the spaces was given a warning, 355 PCNs have been issued up to 20 October 2017.

The Council did not do any analysis of the impact of the change on parking in the town centre because they thought it would be minimal based on occupancy. They said there was no requirement to hold a statutory consultation for changes in parking in off-street locations such as car parks.

A Council spokesperson said, "The CCG have a licence for exclusive use of 20 reserved spaces in Springbridge Road car park. A licence is different to a permit as it allows for multiple users of the licenced spaces, a permit allows for an individual use. Prior to the licence being issued, the council reviewed the car park usage to ensure that core users were not displaced by introducing these new bays. The licence, dated January 2016, was advertised in advance within the car park through the use of posters and when it was introduced, warning notices were issued rather than penalty charge notices for a period of over a month."

They say that the CCG bays are clearly marked with one sign per space – a ratio that is higher than normal. But following customer feedback they are taking further steps to ensure the motorist is aware of the use, and road markings identifying these spaces will be added. This work is expected to be completed in the next few weeks, weather permitting.

We have asked ECCG for details about how the parking spaces are allocated between staff and if they are used for clinical staff who need to use a vehicle to carry out their duties.

January 25, 2018