Forum Topic

School Street Scheme Permit Application

I have tried to register my vehicle for a permit for the new scheme:https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/news/article/2431/school_streets_made_permanent_update_on_streetspace_and_views_wanted_on_c9My permit application has been rejected. I live within the Grove Park CPZ and the article clearly states that I am eligible to apply.Serco's response (on behalf of Hounslow) says that my address is not part of the school street scheme.So once again, Hounslow introduce these schemes and make it impossible for anyone to get help when they have a problem registering. Clearly they have not updated their list of school streets to take in this new scheme and therefore no-one will be able to get a permit. Has anyone else had this problem?

Pete Johnson ● 1745d24 Comments

That article on Hounslow's website says quite clearly "Residents and businesses in the Grove Park and Fauconberg Controlled Parking Zone areas, and Staveley Road allotment holders will be eligible for permits."If you live in GP zone, Hounslow are not following the policy they published on 27 August 2021.  I suggest you raise this with one of your councillors.

Richard Jennings ● 1745d

It could be because the nearest LBH can get to giving a start date is "early New Year", so hopefully more info will be given at sometime soon.I got the same thing when I applied and I live in Staveley Gdns. I did get an apologetic letter which also said I wouldn't have to apply again. I shall wait and see what happens with that.

Bob Guyett ● 1745d

All I got was an email a couple of weeks after applying telling me I wasn't eligible. Honestly, it is so frustrating that none of this can be sorted by speaking to someone. All of these schemes have caused utter confusion and this is the latest example of LBH ineptitude. Introduce a new scheme then make it as difficult as possible for residents to try and do the right thing.

Pete Johnson ● 1745d

that's strange I applied to this Hounslow Council website pageResidential Vehicle Exemption (School Streets scheme)To Register for a permit on the Hounslow WebsiteULR of Form:      https://www.hounslow.gov.uk//xfp/form/310(now not working) Filled in the form, uploaded a copy of my council tax bill as prove of address, was granted access to Staveley Road.Then I received this email back from Hounslow. donotreply@hounslow.gov.ukWeb Reference No: Form - Reference NoThank you for submitting your Residential Vehicle Exemption (School Streets) form to the London Borough of Hounslow. The vehicle(s) you specified will be added to our system within 48 hours, and we will only contact you if we have a query about your request. Should you require the vehicle(s) to be added today or tomorrow, please email schoolstreets@hounslow.gov.uk quoting the reference number above.

Bernard Allen ● 1745d

Hold on, this url works and takes you to the Residential Vehicle Exemption (School Streets scheme)https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/xfp/form/310From memory their are 6 pages to the form

Bernard Allen ● 1745d

Yes I got a reply saying my vehicle would be added and I would only be contacted if there was a problem.I was contacted about 10 days after this email to say my application was rejected. So too did a neighbour of mine who also lives in the Grove Park CPZ.I suspect you will be rejected as well.

Pete Johnson ● 1745d

I suspect you have filled in the form for the old scheme not the new one. The new scheme is no where near live and I think that when it does go live there will be a different form to fill in

Iris Hill ● 1745d

Yes I suspect you are correct. But will Hounslow notify eligible residents? I very much doubt it. Just as residents had a nightmare with the Hartington Road scheme. So many eligible residents got PCNs before realising they could apply for an exemption permit.

Pete Johnson ● 1745d

Eligible residents are due to receive letters closer to the new scheme going live in January (date to be confirmed, think the council are waiting for the TFL A-316 bridge works to be completed before proceeding). However, the updated e-form can now be accessed should you wish to submit your application but it says processing will take place closer the start date ...https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/xfp/form/417

Tamara Mehta ● 1744d

Filled the form in on the 24-11-21 had the conformation email back on the same day. No further contact made by Hounslow council.I don't live in a CPZ and I don't live in Grove Park, but that rather forgotten area where no ones lives, South Chiswick 

Bernard Allen ● 1744d

Same for me, except I did receive an email apologising for the system generating a rejection notification in error and that I would not need to resubmit when the time comes. At the same time the letter mentioned the delay in the scheme start date.If you live in the Dukes Meadows/South Chiswick area you should be contacted or automatically processed once they start up again. Several in your area have already received letters confirming inclusion in the scheme but it's just too early for the permits to be issued.

Tamara Mehta ● 1744d

Who wants to see a new School Street in Paris? Oh go on then — note barrier to stop all cars; cycle parking; and beyond that removal of all car parking spaces replaced with new trees. Would Chiswick's tree lovers support this design here or do we just accept that Parisiens will always have more style?

Paul Campbell ● 1744d

Thanks everyone, most helpful feedback. How on earth did you find the link to the new application form?

Pete Johnson ● 1744d

Applied, didn’t hear a thing back. Looking forward to Boris getting kicked out and all this funding pulled, and common sense returning.

Russell Pearson ● 1744d

Unfortunately the link doesn’t direct me to the correct site. Can you please check?https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/xfp/form/417

Pete Johnson ● 1744d

Paul do Chiswick a great favour, go and live there if you think it’s so nice.

Bernard Allen ● 1744d

We live within the Staveley road vehicle exemption area and drive but do not own a car - we make regular use of car clubs and rental cars when we do need to drive. It's not clear if/how we can apply for exemption to access our home from the A316 without stating that we own a specific vehicle. Surely that can't be the case...I've looked at the FAQs but can't work it out.

Jo Roberts ● 1739d

That's an interesting use case - I would imagine that the exemptions are only for those who own a vehicle which is registered to an address within the exemption area.However, they want to encourage use of car clubs so it is a disincentive to give up a car if you can't take advantage of the exemptions to take the most direct route to your door.Something to raise with the council via your councillor.

Ed Saper ● 1739d

As a car-club vehicle will already be registered with the Borough, it usually automatically gets the same exemptions as a resident in such cases.  It will certainly be sorted out between the car club and the council, not through individual members. A rental car will be treated like a non-resident vehicle.

Tom Pike ● 1739d

If we're increasingly being encouraged not to own a car but to rent or hire one as and when, then the operational basis of these schemes will need to be changed.

Peter Evans ● 1738d

So, I've had a response from Hounslow Traffic on this. "Our online exemption form will ask for the vehicle registration number and proof of documents. If you are able to provide this, once you have returned the vehicle if you inform us and we will  be able to remove it from the exemption list. Whenever you use a new vehicle you will need to inform us."I started to go through the form process to see if it makes sense, but the wording of the form does ask me to confirm that the vehicle belongs to me, which doesn't quite align with the advice given. Maybe it will work in practice, but if the idea is that you can add and remove rental and car club vehicles using the form (you would often only know the reg just before you drive) then that suggests that the exemption process is very slick and immediate, to avoid penalties being wrongly given...

Jo Roberts ● 1736d

Does this include carers vehicles? My neighbour is very worried as her carer will be blocked (well forced to drive round to SCR - adding about 20 minutes to the journey).She asked about adding the number plate but they said no.This scheme is discriminatory against the elderly, infirm and anyone without a car. Maybe it has been thought through properly - but in that case they meant to make these people suffer.

Richard Potts ● 1736d

Richard, according to the Hounslow Council web site 'disability carers' will be allowed to apply for exemption from 10 January in advance of the implementation of the scheme on 24 January.https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20053/transport/2171/hounslows_streetspace/12What they will accept as a disability carer is not defined so if the arrangement your neighbour has is an informal one perhaps with a relative, then it might be an idea to start the process on 10 January. Presumably they aren't accepting applications earlier because of the Christmas holidays.If, like most employers, the council is hit by staff self-isolating, the processing of applications may be slow particularly for 'disability carers' for whom I imagine a lot of documentation will be required.Carers who visit a number of homes may find it difficult to do their job if they are subject to major delays getting to Grove Park. If you know of anybody living in the area likely to find themselves in this situation you would be doing a major service by ensuring their carer has an exemption as they may be unaware of what is about to happen.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1730d

It would be helpful if Hounslow could publish its policy on how they will determine eligibility for disability carers before the application process opens. That would reduce the amount of time wasted for both them and the council for those that don't qualify.

Felicity Caborn ● 1729d