Roll Out of Digital Visitor Parking Permit Scheme

Digital visitor parking permits are set to be rolled out across Reading following a successful trial in Caversham.

The proposed new system will be more flexible and easier to manage for residents, without the need to display physical visitor scratchcards.

It also offers good value for money as residents would be able to book visitor parking for a minimum of one hour at a time, instead of a minimum of half-day as is currently the case.

The digital visitor permits are part of a wider review of the parking permit scheme, which would also see the introduction of permits for motorcycles and the simplification of permit categories.

Digital residents’ permits were introduced across Reading in November 2023 and a trial of digital visitor permits has taken place in Lower Caversham since March 2024.

Under the scheme, residents are entitled to 240 free hours of visitor parking and may buy up to 600 additional hours per year.

To book parking for a visitor, permit holders simply log into their account wherever they are, select the number of hours they want to use, set the start time and date, and enter the registration number of their visitor’s vehicle.

Residents can view their permit bookings online, set a reminder when the session is about to expire and extend it if required.

There is no need to worry about scratching off the correct date and time on a card and having to display it in the vehicle.

Civil enforcement officers (CEOs) patrolling the streets can use handheld devices to instantly check if a vehicle has the right to be parked in a residents’ zone. Spotter vehicles with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) also operate around the borough, checking vehicle details and sending CEOs real time information about any vehicles that are in contravention.

Residents can also report vehicles they believe are illegally parked on the Council website at: https://www.reading.gov.uk/vehicles-roads-and-transport/parking/.

There will still be the option of ordering visitor scratchcards for residents who are unable to use the digital versions.

The digital scheme has worked well in the trial area with generally positive feedback from residents. It has enabled a more efficient operation that supports better enforcement and stronger compliance and uses fewer resources. A big advantage is it also suits the needs of most residents who book short visitor stays, as well as being easier to access and manage.

Another proposed change to the permit scheme includes the introduction of permits for motorcycles, which have historically been exempt from the scheme.

Previously, it was not possible to physically display a residents’ or visitor permit securely on a motorcycle, but digital permits now resolve this issue. Motorcycles would be charged at the residents’ first permit rate (currently £48 per year) regardless of any other vehicles owned under the revised scheme.

Further changes include the rationalisation of permit categories to make the scheme more straightforward for applicants and for administration.

John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“Digital parking permits give residents an easy and convenient way to book parking for their visitors.

“You can access your account online wherever you are and book parking for your visitor without having to scratch off the correct date and time on a card and display it in the vehicle. The flexibility to book visitor parking for just one hour at a time also provides better value for money than the existing system.

“Civil enforcement officers can instantly check the validity of parked cars on handheld devices and spotter vehicles will inform officers of the location of any vehicles which are in contravention.

“The digital scheme also cuts down on the printing and distribution of scratchcards and gives residents immediate access to visitor permits online.

“The review of the scheme will also bring motorcycles into line with other vehicles, now that permits do not have to be physically displayed on parked vehicles. But the cost is being kept at the first permit rate, regardless of the number of other vehicles in the household.”

The residents’ parking scheme was established in Reading in 1976 to provide on-street parking for households near their home. The scheme has grown organically over the years and there are now 19 resident parking zones and almost 10,000 resident permit holders.

Members of the Council’s Traffic Management Sub-Committee will discuss the proposed roll out of the visitor digital permits and other changes to the permit scheme at a meeting on Wednesday 11 June https://democracy.reading.gov.uk/documents/s35859/11%20Permit%20Review%20Report%202025%20TMSub%20FINAL.pdf