Types of parking bays
Controlled parking zones
Controlled Parking Zones are areas where all kerbside space is subject to parking regulation during the times of control. The edges of the carriageway will either be laid out as designated parking bays for various purposes, or will have single yellow lines, which prohibit parking during the hours of control, or double yellow lines which prohibit parking at any time.
Camden has a number of CPZs, which now cover the whole of the borough: the days and hours of control differ between the zones, and are shown on Zone Entry signs at vehicular entry points to the CPZs. The times of control are also shown on parking bay signs, but not on individual lengths of yellow lines.
Types of parking bays
- business bays
- car club bays
- diplomats bays
- disabled badge holders’ bays
- doctors bays
- dual usage bays
- green badge bays
- loading bays
- motorcycle bays
- parking meter bays
- pay-and-display bays
- permit holders' bays
- residents' parking bays
- shared use bays
- suspended bays
- traders parking bays
Business bays
Camden operates three different permit schemes to assist the essential parking needs of businesses (Schemes “A”, “B” and “C”), but only Scheme “A” makes use of specific individual bays. These bays are allocated to specific vehicles identified on the permit, and the use of these bays is subject to some restrictions: they may only be used by the vehicles specified on the permit. Eligibility for a Business Permit is subject to strict criteria. (See also section on Business Parking).
Car club bays
Diplomats bays
Diplomats’ bays are provided in close proximity to foreign embassies, consulates, legations and the like for exclusive use by accredited members of that country’s diplomatic staff: requests for such bays are made through the Foreign Office.
Disabled badge holders’ bays (blue badge bays)
These bays are provided for the exclusive use of vehicles displaying the national Blue Badge issued to people with a disability, and operate at all times. There are two types of Blue badge bays in Camden: those which are allocated to an individual badge holder, which are numbered and indicated as such on the adjoining sign (usually provided close to the holder’s home), and those which are available to any Blue Badge holder. (See also Green badge bays.)
Doctors bays
These are provided for the exclusive use of medical practitioners who require the use of a vehicle because they are on emergency call and hold a valid doctors’ permit. They are normally located close to the surgery or medical centre where the doctor is based, and operate from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday unless the sign plates say otherwise.
Dual usage bays
These are bays which have different functions at different times of the day: for example, in Covent Garden there are dual-use bays which function as loading bays during the day, but revert to Residents’ bays between 6.30pm and 8.30am the following day. The class of vehicle which may use the bay at the various times is specified on adjacent sign plates.
Green badge bays
The parking concessions generally available to Blue Badge holders do not fully apply in central London: this are includes the whole of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and the City, and part of Camden south of Euston Road. Each of these authorities operates its own local disabled badge scheme, and in Camden this is a Green Badge which allows some parking concessions for those disabled drivers that live, work or study in the Green Badge area. In this area there are a number of Green Badge bays which are reserved exclusively for the use of Green Badge holders.
Loading bays
These bays are provided in some locations where there is a regular and frequent demand for kerbside space to be available for servicing adjacent commercial premises. They may be used only for loading/unloading, not for parking, and there may be restrictions on the length of time that loading activity may continue, or the type of vehicle which may make use of the bay (e.g. goods vehicles only): these restrictions will be indicated on the adjacent sign plate.
Motor-cycle bays
Motor-cycle bays are provided throughout the borough and are reserved for the use of solo motor-cycles only during the operating hours of the zone. There is no time limit on the length of stay, and most bays are free of charge, though a fee may be levied for their use.
Parking meter bays
Traditionally, short-stay parking needs for vehicles visiting a CPZ during controlled hours have been met by the provision of meter bays. When using a meter bay, payment for the whole parking time required must be purchased immediately on arrival, and additional parking time may not be purchased after the expiry of the initial payment. Parking meter bays are subject to a maximum-stay period (normally two hours, though other periods may apply: times will be indicated on the adjacent sign plates).
The days and hours when parking controls apply are shown on the zone entry signs, and these and all other details, including maximum stay periods, the cost of parking time and other conditions of use, will appear on the instruction plate on the machine itself.
Pay-and-Display bays
Parking meter bays have now been substantially superseded by Pay-and-Display (P&D) bays, which also provide for short-stay parking needs in CPZs.Similar rules apply, but when parking in a P&D bay during controlled hours a ticket must be purchased immediately on arrival for the whole time required from a nearby machine, and clearly displayed in the windscreen of the vehicle. All other arrangements are the same as for parking meter bays.
Permit holder bays
These represent the great majority of parking bays in the borough, and are available for Residents’ Permit holders, Business Scheme “B” and Business Scheme “C” Permit holders (in zones where these schemes have been adopted), and visitor permit holders. During the controlled hours (shown on Zone Entry signs and on individual bay signs) these bays may only be used for parking by holders of the appropriate permit for that zone. However, loading may take place from such bays, up to a maximum period of 20 minutes. These bays are sign “Permit Holders Only”.
Residents’ parking bays
In some parts of some zones permit bays are restricted to use by holders of residents’ permits or visitor permits (see below) only, and in these bays business permits are not valid. These bays are signed as “Resident Permit Holders Only”.
Shared use bays
In some zones, in order to increase the flexibility of the use of parking space, some bays are designated for shared use by both permit holders and for short-stay parking by drivers who have purchased a pay-and-display parking ticket. For permit holders the conditions of use are the same as for permit holder bays, while for pay-and-display ticket holders parking controls are the same as for pay-and-display bays. These bays are identified by the nearby sign plate, and the tariff, times of control and maximum stay details are displayed on the nearby pay-and-display machine.
Suspended bays
From time to time it becomes necessary for bays to be suspended, for example for road works or to enable a removal vehicle to have access to parking space. When this happens we will try to ensure that the extent and time of the suspension is kept to a minimum.
Suspension are indicated by bright yellow covers (with the usual no waiting / no loading logo) placed over adjacent sign plates, and by street notices. In the case of pay-and-display and meter bays, the meters or pay-and-display machines are covered by yellow suspension bags.
Parking is prohibited in a suspended bay during the normal controlled hours unless suspension notices say otherwise.
Traders parking bays
These bays operate in a similar way to Business “Scheme A” bays, and are reserved for the use of an individual trader’s permit holder. The bays are individually numbered, and can only be used by the corresponding permit holder. The days and hours of control are shown on the nearby sign plates, and in some cases these bays may function as Traders’ Bays for part of the period of control, while at other times they may be designated for other use (e.g. residents’ bays). (See Dual usage bays above.)
Waiting restrictions
Waiting restrictions are shown by yellow lines along the edge of the carriageway. Double yellow lines always mean that there is no parking at any time: single yellow lines are in force during times which are either indicated on an adjoining sign plate, or within a Controlled Parking Zone, during the times of control of the zone, as shown on the zone entry signs at the boundaries of the CPZ. Within a CPZ single yellow lines do not have an adjacent sign plate unless the times of parking restrictions differ from the hours of control of the zone in general. Controls generally apply on bank / public holidays unless sign plates indicate otherwise.
Loading restrictions
Loading restrictions are shown by yellow markings on the kerb, at right angles to the carriageway. Double yellow kerb markings mean that loading / unloading is prohibited at all times. Single yellow kerb markings mean that loading / unloading is prohibited at certain times of the day, and the times that the restrictions apply are indicated on white sign plates adjacent to the length of kerb where they apply.
Where no loading restrictions apply, loading / unloading may take place for a maximum of 40 minutes: loading/unloading activity must be continuous, and when completed the vehicle must then be moved.
In most CPZs the requirement for loading is normally met by arranging the parking layout to allow gaps between parking bays marked out with single yellow lines. However, in some circumstances loading needs are met by the provision of designated loading bays where more specific conditions of use can be applied (see Loading bays above).
Footway parking
Footway or pavement parking is prohibited in most streets in London. The only exceptions are in places where a legal exemption has been made to the legislation by the council. Sections of footway where an exemption has been made are shown by the appropriate sign at the start and end of the bay, with the area of footway where you may park with your wheels on the pavement shown by bay markings. It is an offence to park on the footway in any other locations.
Red routes
Red Routes are major strategic roads carrying large volumes of traffic, and are vital to transport movement for London as a whole. They are part of the TLRN (Transport for London Route Network), and for these roads Transport for London (TfL) rather than the borough, is the Highway Authority.
Waiting and loading restrictions are indicated by red road marking instead of yellow lines etc, and sign plates giving details of times and conditions for waiting and loading restrictions are also distinctive, having a red border.
Waiting and loading controls on Red Routes are not administered by the council, enforcement being carried out on behalf of TfL by the Metropolitan Police Traffic Warden Service.