Warwickshire’s new residents’ parking permit scheme ‘discriminates against older people’
WARWICKSHIRE County Council has been accused of discriminating against older people by introducing technology many cannot use.
The allegation was made by Linda Harris, from Weston, who said that her 85-year-old father, who lives in Stratford, cannot now apply for on-street parking permits for his visitors because he would have to do it digitally.
The previous paper system has gone digital, meaning anyone living in a residents’ parking zone will need to go online to register the details of visitors’ cars.
Mrs Harris told the Herald: “As the parking permit system in Stratford has now gone paperless you need to access it via your smart phone or computer. This is obviously not a problem for most people, but for my 85-year-old father it is.
“He doesn’t own any electronic devices. I have tried to create him an account on my phone but that won’t work as he would have to access it every time he had a visitor. This just isn’t possible as he’d have to ring me to register their registration numbers. I’m at work and can’t access my phone as I work in a school.”
Mrs Harris added: “I strongly believe this is discrimination against the older generation who do not own a computer or smart phone. They can no longer just pop into town and pay cash for a car parking space.”
She said that her father – who did not wish to be named – was told he could phone the council every time he has a guest to register the car, but that service “may not be available” at weekends.
Mrs Harris added: “I have explained how all of this will impact my father and his visitors, as a majority of them will be the same age as my father, and this situation will just fill him and them with anxiety and frustration.
“They will only be allowed to visit for a maximum of two hours if they don’t have a permit registered, or alternatively incur a £25 fine.”
Mrs Harris wondered how many other people – not just older residents – did not own, or could not afford to own, a computer or smartphone and were affected.
“Come on, let’s be inclusive here, or may I suggest even considerate or helpful, and take every situation into consideration,” she said.
“Also, I really don’t like the idea of my father having to let Big Brother know when he has a visitor arrive or leave, and how long they’ve stayed for and how often they come.”
Stratford district councillor Manuela Perteghella (Lib Dem, Welford) – who represents the ward in which Mrs Harris lives – told the Herald: “This new county council policy for on-road parking permits does discriminate against those residents who don’t own a smart phone or laptop or do not have digital literacy.
“It’s yet another example of digital exclusion. It’s also completely irrational that the visitor parking permit can only be applied for by the household on the day the visitor is arriving, and that for each visitor residents need to report registration, make of car, as well as other personal details.”
However, the county council said it has listened to community feedback and will be changing its out-of-hours service.
In a statement to the Herald a county council spokesperson said that all residents, prior to the expiration of their paper permits, will receive a card that includes a phone number they can use to get help setting up their account or adding visitor vehicles onto the system.
They added: “However, after taking on board additional community feedback, we have extended this support by providing an out-of-hours (including weekends) telephone support service for residents who are unable to manage their permits online.”
Residents who needed support Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, should call 0333 003 0033. Outside of these hours, the number was 01296 791496.
The spokesperson added: “We would also like to remind residents that visitor vehicles remain active on parking permits until they are changed, so they only need to be updated when a new vehicle is required to be added.”
But Mrs Harris was still not impressed: “What about the additional cost of phoning these lines at the weekend? ” she asked.
Meanwhile, another resident with elderly parents has been in touch with Mrs Harris and voiced concerns about the issue of data privacy.
The resident said: “Applicants without internet access should not be encouraged by WCC or the scheme’s operator to seek assistance from anyone when submitting personal information. I would have expected WCC to be more responsible with data privacy.
“If WCC is the ‘data owner’ they would be liable to heavy fines for sharing any of the personal data from this system. I would therefore not expect them to suggest applicants seek third parties to enter the information for them – even neighbours or relatives.
“The new system is more prone to fraud as permits and visitors passes can now be transferred via login selling/sharing.”
