The way we operate the car park is changing.
West Wittering Estate introduced pre-booking for parking in 2020. At the same time, we introduced an upper limit on numbers allowed to park at the Estate on any one day. Our visitors have become used to pre-booking especially in the busy summer months. Having a cap on numbers:
promotes beach safety
protects the natural environment
means less strain on the local road network and less inconvenience for local residents
We now wish to encourage as many of our visitors as possible to pre-book their parking at all times of the year.
Why is pre-booking important?
Pre-booking is helpful as it means we know how many visitors to expect. It allows us to let potential visitors know when we’re ‘sold out’ so they can avoid a wasted journey.
Once our daily limit is reached, anyone who has not booked will be refused entry. Please do not travel if we are sold out as there is no other parking available nearby.
What’s actually changing?
Three main things:
Visitors will now be able to pre-book direct on our own website www.westwitteringestate.co.uk. No booking fees apply.
To encourage our visitors to book in advance we are introducing discounted prices at all times of year for those who pre-book.
Visitors who have not pre-booked will be required to pay for their parking while on site, or within 48 hours of their visit. As at the moment, they will be allowed into the car park, but only if there are spaces available.
How does it work?
As you drive up to the entrance barrier cameras will read your front and back number plates. If you have pre-booked the system will display a message confirming this and the barrier will open. If you haven’t pre-booked you will see a message reminding you how to pay on site. The barrier will then allow you to enter.
How do I pay if I haven’t pre-booked?
There will be 3 options:
Payment Machine (located on site at the Estate Office & Beach Café)
Key in your registration number - pay using your credit/debit card or contactless device.Virtual Pay Station (scan the QR code displayed across the site using your smartphone)
Key in your registration number - pay using your credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.Online within 48 hours at www.westwitteringestate.co.uk
Key in your registration number - pay using your credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
When does the new system start?
The new system is estimated to be up and running early April.
How much does parking cost?
Once the system is commissioned, the car park tariff will be:
What happens if some people don’t pay?
We charge for parking to help cover the cost of maintaining the beach and the rest of the site in its unspoilt, natural state, and to provide what’s needed to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort – our lifeguard service and the loos and showers, for example.
To be fair to everyone, it’s important that all our visitors pay their parking fee. For this reason, we are introducing penalties for anyone who fails to pay the parking charge due – a system which is common in many other car parks these days. Those who operate this type of parking enforcement scheme are required to comply with strict guidelines set out by the British Parking Association (BPA) in their Codes of Practice. They also need to be registered with the DVLA.
Enforcement on our property will be managed by Workflow Dynamics Limited who are a member of the BPA and an Approved Operator in the management of parking on private land.
Working with Workflow Dynamics we will make sure there are notices at key points around our site, in line with the BPA Code of Practice. These will help anyone who might forget to pay for parking. These will also explain the easy-to-use ways to pay – onsite payment machine, QR code virtual pay station or online. Anyone who still fails to pay will be issued with a Parking Charge Notice of £70, due for payment within 28 days (reduced to £35 if paid within 7 days).
Remember!
To guarantee your space, save time, and save up to 25%, always pre-book parking ahead of time at www.westwitteringestate.co.uk.
If you have not pre-booked and we are not sold out, please pay for your parking on site (either at a payment machine or by using our QR code virtual pay station and your smartphone) or pay online within 48 hours of your visit at www.westwitteringestate.co.uk.