Parking Dispensations (Waivers) and Suspensions

A dispensation is where a specified vehicle is given permission to park in a bay or on yellow lines during restricted hours without the need for the enforcement authority to put up notices or suspend bays.

A suspension is where specific parking bays are suspended from normal use and signed accordingly.

Anybody can apply for a dispensation or suspension although there may be a charge, and the enforcement authority will only allow it if it does not impact on the safety of other road users or traffic flow.

Dispensations

Dispensations can be arranged for up to 14 days (including weekends) in the following:

• Marked bays

• Yellow lines

• Car parks

A dispensation does not permit general ‘parking’. It does not allow the specified vehicle to remain in the restricted/prohibited area once the dispensation purpose has been fulfilled. At that time the vehicle is required to be parked elsewhere.

A dispensation allows a vehicle or vehicles to park in what otherwise would be a contravention of a Traffic Regulation Order, for the following principal reasons:

• Furniture removals

• Building, maintenance, repair and demolition works where close proximity to the site is essential

• Goods deliveries in respect of which it is reasonable to allow longer than that normally permitted by the regulations

• Funerals - the hearse and cortege vehicles

• Weddings - the bridal vehicles

• Other circumstances in which the enforcement authority may reasonably regard the requirement to be essential and where alternative arrangements would be unsatisfactory

Dispensations will not be issued for:

• Applications where parking may adversely affect disabled/doctors/business bays, taxi bays or bus stops.

• Applications where loading restrictions are in place if the dispensation is requested during the restricted period(s).

• Locations within 50 metres of a signal controlled junction, the entry/exit pedestrian crossing marking, on a footway or verge (unless parking is allowed by signs and markings) and/or other locations where parking may cause danger, serious obstruction or impediment to pedestrians or other road users.

• Requests where there are doubts concerning the validity of the application.

• Applications in respect of vehicles where dispensations have been issued more than twice within the four weeks before the date of the application. Officers have discretion to vary this ban if it is considered it is otherwise reasonable to approve the application.

Applications for dispensations must be received by the enforcement authority’s Parking Manager at least 7 working days prior to the required date.  If granted, dispensations will be issued to the applicant by way of a printed permit, which must be clearly displayed on the vehicle whilst parked.  The permit details will be entered into the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issuing software where it will be visible to all Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO).

Applications may be made in person, by post or on an e-form, using the details on the top right side of this page.  A charge, per dispensation issued, may be made except in the case of wedding and funeral vehicles.  A full list of charges will be available on application from the Parking Manager.

Suspensions

Designated on and off-street parking bays may be suspended for the following reasons:

• To allow maintenance of adjacent property where highway access is required for deliveries, essential vehicles, skips etc. (Cars will not be considered as “essential vehicles” and will be expected to park in accordance with parking restrictions)

• Maintenance of highway tree

• At the request of the Police

• For security reasons

• Filming and other special events

• Any other reason accepted by the enforcement authority

Applications for suspensions must normally be received at least 7 working days prior to the required date and must be made to the enforcement authority’s Parking Operations section.  However it is accepted they may occasionally need to be arranged at short notice, for example in the case of emergency work.  

If granted, suspensions of parking bays will be clearly signposted by means of temporary signs which will indicate the exact location(s) and the extent of the suspension with the start and finish dates and times. These signs will normally be displayed at least 5 days before the suspension comes into operation.  All adjacent properties will receive advanced notice of the suspension.  Vehicles parked in contravention of a suspension will receive PCNs.

Once a suspension has been authorised, warning notices and signs will be put into place. The sign will state the following:

• Dates between which the suspension will be in force

• Exact location of the suspension

• Purpose of the suspension

If this information is missing, or a sign is not in place, a PCN will not be issued.

An unauthorised vehicle parked on a notified suspension will be issued with a PCN.  This provision also applies to householders who have arranged a suspension for removals or work on the property, as the suspension does not permit the householder to park his vehicle there. The CEO will make notes or take photographs which show the position of the suspension sign in relation to the vehicle in order to confirm that the suspension was in force at the time.