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Virtual parking permits to be introduced in Ilkley
In April 2020, Bradford council will begin the roll-out of a new virtual parking permit system across Bradford district including Ilkley.
Between April and June both the physical and virtual permits will be in operation giving everyone plenty of time to register. Residents across Bradford district have been using an online application for parking permits since August 2017. The new virtual permits are electronic and can be identified by officers using a registration number plate scanner. This will stop fines being issued mistakenly when permits fall to the floor of the car or when owners forget to display them.
People will no longer need to order and display paper permits and the new virtual permits will take effect immediately without having to wait for it to arrive in the post. The new system is more secure, more reliable and motorists can receive reminders before permits expire. Virtual permits also cut down on paper both in the office and at home. The new system will be simpler and easier than the old paper-based permits.
People can register online by providing their address and creating a password. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of address and the registration location of their vehicles. For visitor permits, residents can add the registration of the visiting vehicles.
Where people don’t have access to a computer, they can use the computers at the local library, ask a friend or relative to create an account or use a smart phone. The council will also offer a helpline which people can call for support when processing an application or registering a visitor.
The council has successfully piloted an online permit application process for over two years and is confident the virtual permits will work well. Virtual permits have been working successfully in other authorities and many other councils have announced they’re moving to a virtual system.
The council has written to Ilkley permit holders explaining the pending changes to the permit system. The authority will soon write to everyone on the residential parking schemes with all the information they will need to register when the new system goes live in April.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Our new virtual permits system will be quicker, more convenient and more reliable than the older system. The new web-based will also dramatically reduce paper use.”