Waiting restrictions

The main reason for parking restrictions is to prevent obstructive or hazardous parking. In some situations, inconsiderate parking can compromise safety or result in difficulties for residents and businesses. Unmanaged parking can also cause delays to traffic and bus services.

New waiting restrictions

The County Council receives very high volumes of requests for new waiting restrictions, otherwise known as parking controls, and these must be considered in relation to the County Council’s available resources and priorities. Parking changes may appear straightforward, but they can become very complex as individual parking needs vary. Parking schemes often must achieve a delicate balance with the aim of helping residents, businesses, shoppers, and visitors.

The introduction of waiting restrictions requires a Traffic Regulation Order, which is the Legal Instrument that councils use to introduce enforceable restrictions on the highway. Traffic Orders are relatively costly and can take up to 12 months to progress once a parking scheme has been designed and programmed.

We may consider new or amended on-street parking restrictions where we have identified an ongoing parking problem, however, limited resources mean that we currently prioritise requests in locations where the safety of road users is compromised.

Removing waiting restrictions

Waiting restrictions will have originally been implemented to resolve a particular safety or congestion issue or where demand for parking is high. We would only support the removal of parking controls if there has been a change in circumstances and if the original issue would not return.

The removal of waiting restrictions as with the introduction of new waiting restrictions requires a Traffic Regulation Order, and limited resources mean that we currently prioritise requests for new waiting restrictions in locations where the safety of road users is compromised above requests for the removal of restrictions for further investigation.

Enforcing waiting restrictions

Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) can enforce of parking restrictions. They can issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to any vehicle not complying with the restrictions. The Council retains all funds received from PCNs. We use the funds to maintain parking restrictions and run the Parking Service. We use any surplus to improve transport. This could be highways maintenance, subsidised transport fares or traffic calming measures. This is in accordance with the legislative restrictions in Section 55 (as amended) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

If there are no waiting restrictions on the road, a CEO has no powers to issue a PCN or remove a vehicle. If a vehicle is causing an obstruction or danger by parking on a footway, or too close to a junction you can report it to the police by calling 101.