Watford Borough Council

Here are the latest fixture details for the 2008/9 season:

November

Saturday 1st
Sunday 16th
Saturday 22nd
Saturday 29th
Sunday 30th

Our matchday parking zone map can be found in the 'related items' panel below.

Visit the Watford FC or Saracens websites for further information about fixtures and other activities at Vicarage Road Stadium - links to both these sites can be found in the 'external links' panel.

On first team match days of either Watford Football Club or the Saracens Rugby Club, parking enforcement is carried out during the following hours: between 1pm and 6.30pm for Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holidays (Public Holidays) matches and between 6pm and 10pm for weekday evening games.

Please note: during these hours, parking is not permitted on single yellow lines. Double yellow lines may be enforced at any time and motorists who park on them risk incurring parking penalties.

The shared use bays, situated in front of the Vicarage Road Stadium will be suspended from four hours prior to the start of any matches that are subject to match day enforcement. Residents living in zone k are advised to seek alternative parking within their zone.

Only holders of valid permits or vouchers will be allowed to park in the permit bays within the match day parking zones. Parking across driveways, which are within permit bays is not permitted unless it is your own driveway and you are displaying a valid permit or voucher.

Every effort is made to notify residents and other motorists about the relevant games that will be enforced, however, these fixtures are subject to change by the TV companies. The Council have no control over these changes but residents and motorists can obtain up-to-date information in a number of ways. 

Current information can be obtained on the following telephone numbers:

• Match day hotline – gives information on match dates for both clubs: 0800 012 1753
• Watford Football Club: 0845 442 1881
• Saracens Rugby Club: 01923 475222

Dates of forthcoming matches are also displayed in the Parking Shop window on Market Street and are displayed on the Blue Match Day signs on main approach roads into the area, and in local media.

We have also arranged, with the co-operation of local shopkeepers to display up-to-date information on distinctive signs, which will be displayed in the following shops.

MATCH DAY RESIDENTS PERMITS

Frequently asked questions regarding match day permits

Who qualifies for a match day residents permit?

Residents living within the match day controlled parking zones M and R may qualify for a residents permit, lasting one year, if they own a vehicle, or have regular daily use of a company vehicle.

Residents who already have a full controlled zone parking permit for zones E, F, J, K, L, S and T also get the benefit of parking enforcement on match days as well as during the normal enforcement hours. They do not need to buy a separate permit.

Please note that although the Council makes every effort to issue reminder letters at the appropriate expiry time, residents are advised that it is their responsibility to renew them before the expiry date.

How many match day permits can I have?

Residents are only allowed one permit each, up to a maximum of two permits per household.

How much do they cost?

The first permit in a household costs £6 a year and the second £12 a year.
Residents, who are also drivers with disabled badges, will get the first permit in the household free of charge.

For motorcyclists a permit will cost £6, whether it is the first of second permit in the household.

How do I prove residency?

If your name appears on the electoral register at the relevant address, this will be sufficient.
If not, or if you have asked that this information is not made available for public inspection, you will need to supply one of the following which clearly states the relevant address.

• a tenancy or mortgage agreement
• a solicitors letter confirming recent completion of a house purchase
• a current council tax payment card or bill
  if none of the above can be provided, a utility bill issued within the last three months

Does my vehicle qualify for a permit?

You must be the registered keeper or permanent user of the vehicle that you nominate.
If you are the regular user of a company car, a lease car or hire car, it may also qualify.
The size of your vehicle must not exceed 5.25m long and/or 2.3m high.

What form of proof will I need?

One of the following will be required which must contain your current address.

• a vehicle registration document
• Insurance documents showing the applicant as driver and including the registration number of the vehicle.
• in the case of a newly acquired vehicle, an official bill of sale or invoice
  (hand written receipts will not be accepted).
• a company letter or a lease or hire agreement.

Match day application forms can be obtained at The Parking Shop or can be sent to you on request if you telephone 01908 223507.

What if I change my car?

As before, you will need documentation and you must also return your existing permit to the Parking Shop before a replacement can be issued. A charge of £7 will be made for the second and any subsequent change in any one year.

What about courtesy cars?

If your car is in for repair and you are given the use of a courtesy car, you can bring your existing permit to the Parking Shop, where it will be exchanged, for two weeks maximum, for a temporary permit. On completion of the work, your existing permit will be returned to you. If you need a courtesy/hire car for a longer period, the change of permit process should be used or you can use visitor vouchers.

What about refunds?

Refunds will not be given on match day permits.

Unpaid parking penalties

All permit holders are advised that new permits will not be issued if there are unpaid parking penalties for the relevant vehicle. Residents are also asked to note that it is Council policy to tow away any vehicles, which have 3 or more unpaid penalties.

MATCH DAY VISITOR VOUCHERS (ZONES M and N)

Residents living in the match day zones M and N can buy books of scratch card vouchers for use by their visitors or tradesmen, which can be used in their particular zone. These vouchers last for one day.

These vouchers must be validated by scratching off the day, date and month. Match day vouchers last for one occasion only. Each council tax household is entitled to a maximum of 30 vouchers per year (pensioners are entitled to 60).

Visitor vouchers are only sold in complete books as follows:

Match day vouchers in books of 5.  Cost £3.50 per book (half price for pensioners).

On production of proof of residency, as described in the permit section above, you can buy up to your total allowance of 30 vouchers per council tax household (60 for pensioners).

They can only be used within your zone and refunds are not given so you are advised to buy only what you need.

Please note: these vouchers are not to be resold and any misuse may lead to their cancellation and future allocations may be at risk. Serial numbers are logged at the time of purchase.

Application forms are available at the Parking Shop or they can be posted to you on request if you telephone 01908 223507, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6.30pm.

MATCH DAY BUSINESS PERMITS

If you have a business within match day parking zones M and N you may qualify for a business permit lasting for one year which can be used only in your own zone.

How many can I buy and how much do they cost?

Only one permit per business is permitted but you can have up to two registration numbers printed on it provided that they are both operational vehicles, however the permit can only be used on one vehicle at a time.  These business permits cost £60.

How do I qualify?

Qualifying businesses must demonstrate that they have:

• no space to park vehicles within the curtilage of their premises.
• an operational vehicle(s) registered to the business.
• are registered for business rates.

Operational vehicles are vehicles that are essential to your business because they are needed for deliveries and collections on an intermittent daily basis. Vehicles that are used simply for getting to work do not qualify as operational vehicles.

What proof do I need?

• Business rate demand or payment receipt
• registration document for the vehicle in the name of the business.

What if I change my vehicle?

As before, you will require documentation for the vehicle and you will also have to return your original permit before a replacement can be issued. A charge of £7 will be made for the second and any subsequent change in any one year.

Applications can be made at the Parking Shop or an application form will be posted to you on request if you telephone 01908 223507.