Whilst we have not yet reached any final decision, we are exploring potential options that include:

· sale of some permits through local shops,

· telephone solutions (automated and operator supported);

· wider range of permit durations, possibly to include 2 year or 3 year permits, or even rolling permits automatically renewed via direct debit, that would further reduce the frequency at which permits would need to be renewed; and

· simplification of permit purchase arrangements and requirements.

If our final decision is to close both Parking Shops (which is not yet certain), we will need to consider whether to do so in a staggered way, one advantage of which would be a better understanding any residual demand for personal visits before (and if) both shops are closed. If this identifies that personal applications are still a necessity for the sorts of reasons that you mention, then we will consider whether this could be accommodated at a Council Office. However, our preference is that customers should in future not be inconvenienced have to travel or wait for parking services such as permits.

If you have any specific suggestions, ideas or recommendations, it would help our considerations and development of improved replacement services if you could share these with me.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it