Bedford Borough Council is excited to announce its transition to a fully virtual parking permit system. For a number of years, applications for parking permits have been made online. Starting Thursday 26 September, residents and businesses will be able to manage their parking permits entirely online, including visitor permits for residents living in Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs).
With the new virtual parking permits, there will be no need to display a physical permit. Once a permit has been applied and paid for online, it will be instantly activated, allowing it to be used immediately.
Councillor Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said, "Virtual parking permits streamline the application process, reduce paper waste, and provide a more user-friendly experience for our residents, businesses and voluntary organisations."
Councillor Weir further commented, "This move mirrors the government's abolishment of tax discs some time ago, marking a significant step toward modernising our parking services. The application process for parking permits has been online for some time now and anyone less digitally able will continue to find support when needed.
"The convenience of virtual parking permits is undeniable. Residents and businesses will be able to apply for and manage their permits at any time, from anywhere with an internet connection. Gone will be the days of waiting for permits to arrive in the post or searching for the right visitor permit to scratch off. Virtual permits are instantly activated once the application process is complete.”
The reduction in paper waste aligns with Bedford Borough Council’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Another advantage of virtual permits is their flexibility.
As with all Bedford Borough Council services, anyone who is less digitally able can find support in the usual way of visiting the Bedford Borough Council Customer Service Team at The Bedford Borough Hub, 2 Horne Lane, or calling them on 01234 267422.
Here are the key changes for current users of Bedford Borough Council parking permits:
All applicants will need to register for a parking account before starting an application, all existing permits remain valid until their expiry.
Residential, business, and voluntary organisation parking permits, season tickets, and parking waivers:
These will no longer be a physical parking permit that is posted out. The virtual permit will become live as soon as the application process is completed.
Visitor parking permits:
Residents in CPZs will no longer receive booklets of visitor permits. Instead, they will be issued an allocated number of hours and can create a virtual visitor permit online whenever needed. Further allocations can then be purchased, in the same way that additional visitor parking permit booklets can currently be purchased. Existing visitor permit booklets will remain valid.
Healthcare parking permits:
Again, these will become virtual rather than physical. Previously it was employers who applied for these, from Thursday 26 September individual healthcare workers will need to apply themselves.
Learn more at www.bedford.gov.uk/Parking-Permits.