What Are Those Metal Discs In Guildford Town Centre Street Parking Bays?

Published on: 31 Mar, 2016
Updated on: 1 Apr, 2016

Circular metal discs measuring a few inches across have been cemented into on-street parking bays throughout Guildford town centre.

One of the metal discs that has been cemented into on-street parking bays throughout Guildford town centre. Click to enlarge in a new window.

But what are they for? Readers have been contacting The Guildford Dragon NEWS to ask if we know.

We asked Guildford Borough Council, and although there was some initial scratching of heads, they have given us the answer.

One of the parking sensors in the Millmead car parking spaces in front of the council offices.

And despite some people suggesting they are some kind of ‘Big Brother’ surveillance device that clocks if motorists have gone over their time allowed in a parking bay, we have been told that they have been implanted as a part of a new scheme that will help motorists find parking spaces in the town centre.

It is an initiative that includes Experience Guildford (the town centre’s business improvement district). We are not quite sure how the system will work, but have been promised a joint press statement from the borough council, Experience Guildford and the company for the sensors.

So watch this space and also your parking space!

Another newly installed sensor, this time in the Upper High Street.

Responses to What Are Those Metal Discs In Guildford Town Centre Street Parking Bays?

David Bennett Reply

March 31, 2016 at 1:58 pm

Let’s hope they don’t get obliterated by the resurfacing scheduled for Harvey Road.
Dave Middleton Reply

March 31, 2016 at 3:38 pm

I sincerely hope that this so called initiative was not funded with public money from my council tax. If drivers can’t find a car park – and all of Guildford’s car parks are more than adequately signposted – then they shouldn’t be behind the wheel of a car.
John Lomas Reply

March 31, 2016 at 6:06 pm

Are they in the centre of the bays? If not a Smart car maybe able to park without obscuring them.

Click here for more information.
Nigel Trellis Reply

March 31, 2016 at 11:46 pm

Some extracts from Nedap’s SENSIT system brochure:-

“Vehicle detection opens a world of possibilities SENSIT consists of a network of wireless vehicle detection sensors that report on occupation of each individual parking spot. This parking occupancy system provides reliable, real-time data for:
• guidance, to limit traffic congestion
• alerting, to prevent abuse of parking spaces
• reporting, to optimize parking utilization

“Locate cars that have overstayed their welcome.

“OVERSTAY ENFORCEMENT SENSIT provides direct guidance via a digital overstay alert that simplifies and optimizes
enforcement in time-limited areas, such as loading/unloading zones, kiss & ride/fly areas and blue zones.

“Electronic Parking (E-Parking) License Nedap’s E-Parking License complements the SENSIT system. The E-Parking License registers specific parking spaces for pre-registered vehicle groups (permit holders, disabled, or VIP). When a vehicle parks in an E-Parking License bay, this electronic device registers itself. The SENSIT sends a notification if the parked car does not have a valid license”.
Martin Elliott Reply

April 1, 2016 at 4:49 pm

Openness and transparency again?

Once its all installed and working we, the residents will be told to take advantage.

As for costs, we could ask, but wont get an answer. If its coming out of the excessive parking and penalties fees account. Of course, this is meant to balance but GBC doesn’t seem to have managed that. The borough council seems to have got use to a few £million excess to spend on ‘transport’ every year.
Anna-Marie Davis Reply

April 4, 2016 at 11:41 am

Clearly a revenue-generating venture.

There are spaces on the road outside Waitrose (opposite the old telephone exchange) which have been blocked off by the council because the meter had been obscured by the Waitrose contractors/is unoperational.

GBC would rather the spaces were empty, than someone could park for nothing, which speaks volumes about the council’s attitude to its residents, its income, and its desire to maximise income to the detriment of a little community mindedness.

I predict these gadgets will be used to fine people aggressively, and we will struggle to find out the cost of installation.

Although I live in the town centre, we frequently go to other towns in the area at the weekend as the parking is laughably cheap and small businesses are booming, much better if you want a relaxing experience and a butcher, a baker, a fishmonger etc.

I think this is a big mistake, it is easy to get a parking space in Guildford these days, everyone wants to do their shopping elsewhere because Guildford is so expensive and the sole traders are being pushed out. Again, a short sighted decision which will benefit the coffers and not the town.
Barry Arnfield Reply

April 5, 2016 at 11:49 am

We should not be fooled. The first we will know is when a little letter demanding payment drops through our letter box.

As parking charges have now become a major source of income for local authorities nationwide any claim to be “helping the motorists” should be treated with the same disdain as one gives to all such claims from local authorities. Another reason to give Guildford a wide berth.
Terry Stevenson Reply

April 6, 2016 at 8:32 am

Conspiracy theorists at the ready?

I believe they are access points for the legions of moles that will build the A3 tunnel under Guildford.
Chris Steele Reply

April 7, 2016 at 12:59 pm

It was a bit quiet at work so I looked up about the parking sensor sensit-flush-mount.

Nedap’s wireless vehicle detection sensors efficiently measure parking occupancy. Sensors mounted in the surface of individual parking spots detect vehicle presence and send that information to a central server.

Parking occupancy information can be used to guide motorists to available parking spaces, to increase traffic flow in cities and decrease pollution. Parking utilization and enforcement efficiency are optimized.

SENSIT technology can easily be implemented into any existing car park management system and rapid deployment is guaranteed. The SENSIT Flush Mount is a vehicle detection sensor for flush mount installation with the road surface. The sensor is snow ploughs and vandal resistant.