CAR PARKING AND GARAGING
Parking spaces are marked in the front and west wing forecourts and, in addition, many flats have each an underground parking space, integral garage or detached garage associated with them. The underground garage is entered through automatic radio controlled doors on the west side of the building.
Residents who have their own garage or underground parking space are not entitled to park on the forecourts. Residents who have no garage or underground parking space may apply for a permit which will allow them to park a car in any one of the unallocated forecourt spaces. Visitors may fill out a temporary permit. In the event of all spaces being filled, residents have priority over visitors who may be asked to remove their vehicles.
The guiding principle behind the parking scheme is that every vehicle parked at Marine Gate must be identified to a flat. Each permit has the flat number, and this also applies to each temporary visitor permit, which also must show a contact telephone number. The staff need to ensure that emergency services vehicles are able to enter and exit without hindrance, and to be able to contact a vehicle owner should the vehicle be causing an obstruction or hazard (such as a fuel leak).
The parking scheme has enforcement notices clearly posted at entrances and exits, and within sight of the bays. Vehicles which are parked in contravention of the regulations are deemed to be parked illegally and are then liable to a fixed penalty charge.
The scheme has acted successfully to remove vehicles which have no business at Marine Gate, and provided that residents are prepared to co-operate with one another it should not be necessary for Marine Gate Limited to have to enforce the rules on residents. Weekends tend to raise the numbers of vehicles seeking forecourt spaces, so residents who have no permit should ensure that their vehicle is parked in their own garage or underground space at such times.