Frequently Asked Questions

A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a legal document that restricts or prohibits the use of a highway network, in line with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The objective of a TRO is to help manage the highway network by improving road safety and accessibility to facilities. 

TROs must follow strict guidelines, set out by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD).

Before a TRO can be put in place, there are statutory processes that needs to be followed. This includes a fair and robust consultation. Often, as is the case for these proposals, several rounds of consultation will be undertaken in order to gather views to help shape and review the proposals.

You can read more about the TRO process on our website: What is a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)?

The waiting, loading and parking alterations are being proposed under section 1 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA 1984) which allows GCC to take action to ‘preserve or improve the amenities of the area through which the road runs’.

Formal TRO Consultation Parameters  

As the highway authority GCC is responsible for the introduction of TROs on the highway, including the enforcement of the restrictions once in place.

However, once a (formal) TRO consultation has started, it cannot be used to do the following:

• New restrictions not advertised (i.e. we can’t add any new road/s - not show on the interactive map)
• Increase a restriction (This includes type, length and times: For example, we can't increase a limited waiting parking bay into Pay & Display; or a length of restriction of double yellow lines can’t be extended; nor can the days or times of operation be extended, for example we can't add the weekend, if we only proposed Mon-Fri, nor can we increase the times from 8pm to 9pm)

Conversely, as part of the TRO consultation, you can:

• Remove restrictions that we advertised –(This means some roads might be removed if feedback suggest the zone is too big or certain roads near the edge of the boundary don't want to be included.  We can also remove a specific type of restriction - see reducing a restriction)
• Reduce a restriction – (this includes the type, length and times; When reducing the type of restriction the changes can only make the restriction less restrictive. So for example, we can reduce a Pay & Display to limited waiting or reduce the physical length of restriction; Or the days or times of operation can be reduced, for example we can removed the weekend, if we proposed Mon - Sun, days can be removed, or timings can be reduced for example from 8pm to 7pm).

Therefore, by way of establishing the most appropriate TRO design, we often propose the most expansive version of the design, to comply with the consultation TRO paraments. This means as part of the TRO consultation roads and restrictions can still be removed, based on the feedback you provide on the detailed TRO proposals.  

Parking surveys were carried out in Stroud in September 2019. The surveys were carried out across two weekdays and one Saturday, with counts being taken during the AM-peak, Inter-peak and PM-peak for each day. The results of these surveys indicated that current parking restrictions in the county are not being used in the most efficient wat and there can be improvements made. 

As the highway authority, GCC is responsible for managing the highways network. Effective management of on-street parking, in conjunction with the provision of off-street parking, is recognised as making a significant contribution to reducing congestion, whilst enabling access for residents, services and businesses. A review of parking in Stroud aims to ensure that parking rules are fit for purpose and support planning and transport policies, including the Local Transport Plan. 

The objectives for the parking review are set out below:

• To make sure parking provision within Gloucestershire is appropriate for the demand
• To ensure parking is prioritized for those who are residents of the area
• To address the Climate Emergency
• Parking permits will discourage commuters from driving and parking during the daytime in residential areas for work and encourage more active travel such as walking or cycling, or public transport if they are unable to access easy parking
• Parking will still be available in off-street car parks but these will be pay and display. 

Permit schemes apply across a zone, typically containing 10 - 15 streets. Local residents and businesses can buy permits which allow them to park unrestricted on any of the streets in that zone. In most cases, vehicles from outside the area are also allowed to park, but are limited to a maximum stay, usually 2 - 4 hours, or required to pay for parking. This prevents all-day commuter parking, freeing up spaces for local people and short-stay visitors.

Note: you only need to buy a permit to park a vehicle on-street. if you park off road or don't have a car, you don't have to buy a permit.

Visit this GCC Page for more information.

The aim of the scheme is to make sure you would have a greater chance of finding a parking space in your neighbourhood. The operating hours of the scheme would be set to address local pressures such as evening / weekend attractions. You would need to have a permit to park on-street in your neighbourhood during the operating hours of the scheme. You would be able to park a maximum of two cars per house on-street in your neighbourhood. You would need to buy visitor vouchers for visitors staying for long periods, but it is assumed the limited waiting (time limits for non-residents) would be suitable to cater for most visits.

• You would have greater chance of finding a parking space in your neighbourhood.
• The operating hours of the scheme would be set to address local pressures such as evening/weekend attractions.
• You would need to have a permit to park on-street in your neighbourhood during the operating hours of the scheme.
• You would be able to park a maximum of two cars on-street in your neighbourhood, during the operating hours of the scheme.
• You would need to buy visitor vouchers for visitors staying for long periods

It is proposed that the scheme will operate Monday to Sunday, between the hours of 8am and 7pm.

Allowing visiting vehicles to park helps support local businesses. Visitors to local residents can also park for a short time without using a visitor voucher. Visitors without a valid visitor voucher may park for free in shared use limited waiting bays and pay to park in Pay and Display bays for the specified hours shown on the sign. 

Visitors with a valid visitor voucher are exempt from having to pay in Pay and Display bays and the time limit shown on the sign in both shared use limited waiting bays and Pay and Display bays.

Limited waiting for non-residents means, anyone can park in the bay for the time limits set out on the signs. After that they would need to move away (the No Return), or risk getting a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) (also known as a parking ticket).

The permit costs are set at County level and support the operation and enforcement of the scheme. This enforcement ensures that the permit scheme operates correctly and improves parking conditions within the permit zone. The cost of the first permit is £61.80 for the year, which can be paid monthly (£5.15 – the equivalent of £1.18 a week).

The cost of the second permit is higher – as a means to manage numbers. The cost for the second permit is £123.60 for the year, or £10.30 monthly. Visitor vouchers can be purchased in sets of 10 (until a maximum of 50) for £13.00 per set. Though these are only needed if you have someone stay an extended period who can’t use the shared use parking. Given the scheme operating hours are focused on the daytime period there is no need for vouchers overnight.

An overview of the costs per permit type are shown below.

All of your comments will be recorded and emailed to the Consultation Team for consideration in shaping the permit scheme area. The website will be accessible between 29th March - 2nd May 2023 for you to view and make comments.

Your feedback will be used in the next stages of the TRO process (see FAQ on 'What is a TRO?'). Information about the parking proposals will also be available on our website.

There will be a sign at the beginning of your street which specifies to all incoming cars that they are now entering a PPA, except in signed bays, which covers the entirety of the street. Only residents with permits can park on-street outside of a signed bay within a PPA, as long as this is not over double yellow lines.

Non-permit holders will not be permitted to park on any kerb space outside of the signed bays within the road specified as a PPA. These areas outside of marked bays are therefore effectively double yellow lines for non-permit holders, without the need for painting double yellow lines. This reduces the physical impact of the scheme on the street environment while maintaining priority for residents. 

In signed shared-use bays, non-permit holders can park for free for the limited waiting time specified (2 or 4 hours depending on your road). Carers, tradespeople, friends and family will be able to use these bays. Permit holders can also park in these bays without the time restriction.

No, for example, if you have your own driveway and do not require on-street parking then you do not have to purchase a permit. Only residents who require on-street parking must purchase a permit within the proposed Zone A.

Parking Review Consultation Process

Each parking review follows a similar process as outlined in the four key stages below:

• Scheme inception – initial data gathering and discussions with local stakeholders
• Informal consultation (8th November - 17th December 2021) – Consultation with local residents and businesses to find out if local people find parking a problem, if they would like to see changes considered, and if so, what changes. This informed the detailed designs for the TRO.
• Statutory consultation and formal public consultation (Current Phase – known as the TRO consultation) – a formal consultation process where we present a detailed design as a TRO proposal to both statutory consultees and the public. Feedback to this stage will be used to decide if any changes are required to the TRO. 
• Implementation (If appropriate, based on the TRO consultation outcome) – launch of the new scheme. 

GCC are currently undertaking the TRO consultation which will run 29th March to 2nd May 2023. The TRO consultation seeks the public views on the TRO proposals. It should be noted, anyone who commented on the draft plans in the informal consultation stage, will need to make a new comment during the TRO consultation. 

GCC carried out informal engagement activities during 8 November to 17 December 2021, GCC split the Town Centre into several Focus Group sessions, whilst also running an online consultation on permit parking in the residential areas north and southeast of the town.

Three key themes emerged from the informal consultation:

    • Positive reinforcement of proposals

    • Restriction types

    • Safety and design considerations.

Feedback was used to identify any further improvements or changes that needed to be made to the scheme before the formal consultation.