Discounted parking has arrived for residents in the Royal Borough as the council’s exciting new scheme goes live from today in six popular car parks. And for any residents yet to apply, there’s still time to join the thousands already set to save.
Residents can apply online via the RingGo cashless parking system for their free, virtual permits, offering one hour’s free parking at Alma Road and Alexandra Gardens in Windsor, Grove Road and West Street in Maidenhead, Horton Road in Datchet, and Meadow Lane in Eton.
Since the scheme opened for applications on 14 February, the council has received and approved more than 4,600 applications from residents gearing up to drive down their parking costs, with 20 per cent applying to get the discount in all six car parks.
From today, residents with approved applications can start using their discounted sessions in their selected car parks, which can be activated either through the RingGo app or via landline or mobile phone using the automated voice service.
Simply follow the instructions on the side of the car parking machines, and if you are using the automated voice service then please remember to use the five-digit code for residents in the car parking discount scheme and not the general parking code.
For more information on the scheme and how to apply, visit www.RBWM.gov.uk/parking-discount. Applications only need to be submitted once and last for up to two years. Applicants do not need to have a smart phone to apply for permits or to use the discounts.
The introduction of the resident parking discount scheme makes the Royal Borough one of the only local authorities in England to offer such a scheme. Free parking continues to be offered for disabled users and those using electric vehicles.
Councillor Phil Haseler, Cabinet member for planning, parking, highways and transport, said: “When the old resident discount scheme ended in 2020, the council gave a commitment to explore ways to deliver an affordable and workable discounted parking scheme for residents, and I’m pleased to say we’ve now reached our destination.
“Since we opened applications seven weeks ago, we’ve seen a positive response to our scheme, and thousands of residents have already joined up to drive down their parking costs. We’ve also held a number of successful sessions at libraries supporting residents who needed a bit more help to apply online.
“From today, I’m excited that discounted parking has arrived in those car parks, and savvy residents who’ve already joined our scheme can now reap genuine savings when they pay less to park, which I’m sure will be especially welcomed during the current cost of living pressures.
“So residents: please start your discounts. If you’re not already in the scheme, it’s not too late to join the thousands already set to save on parking. It’s essential you first apply for your free permits in order to join and save money on your parking. So don’t miss out on discounted parking. The process is straightforward, but first please read the guidance carefully.”
Under the scheme, the two Windsor car parks are grouped as one car parking zone and the two Maidenhead car parks form another grouped zone. The car parks at Datchet and Eton are each separate parking zones. These four different zones each have their own RingGo code, displayed on the parking machines.
If you’ve already joined the scheme, from today you can get one hour’s free parking every day in each car parking zone for which you hold a virtual permit. If you wish to stay for more than one hour, the discount will be subtracted from the total amount you pay for your length of stay.
If you haven’t joined yet, it’s not too late to apply online. A separate application has to be made for each zone for which you would like a virtual permit. You can apply for virtual permits for all, or just some, of the parking zones.
Unlike current RingGo zones, the resident parking discount zones does not operate on a start/stop basis but is ‘buy time’. This means you have to decide how long you are going to stay at the time of parking and pay the appropriate amount. With buy time you can extend your stay at any time during your live parking session. No pre-authorisation is required.
Motorcycles can continue to be parked for free in their designated bays in selected car parks. If motorcyclists park in a normal bay, they will need to pay the usual fee unless they have joined the discount scheme.