Pre-paid parking vouchers were introduced in Hampstead in November 1991 as a means of controlling parking within the Controlled Parking Zone. Prior to that date, parking in the area was free and unrestricted (apart from yellow line restrictions), residents and non-residents competing for limited on-street parking space. The legal provisions under which the innovative parking control device is operated require that the London Borough of Camden, the Local Authority, received Special Approval from the Secretary of State for Transport before the vouchers could be introduced in Hampstead. A study of the new scheme was undertaken by TRL to determine the effect the vouchers had on motorists' parking behaviour and activity. Questionnaire of surveys parking behaviour and parking activity surveys were undertaken before and after the vouchers were introduced. Results from the study indicate that the parking vouchers were effective in controlling parking but that many motorists in the area were opposed to the parking control scheme as originally designed by Camden. The study also highlighted a number of issues that need to be considered when developing parking voucher schemes in other areas. (A)
Abstract