Bay suspensions

Parking in areas where there are no parking restrictions

We are unable to suspend parking in an area where there are no parking restrictions - except for funeral corteges (Hearse and Limousines only - limit applies, not private cars) or Special Events (limit applies subject to approval). Residents must make their own arrangements in all other circumstances (e.g. domestic removals); with the exception of any Highway Maintenance Works or Major Utility Works for which the appropriate permissions must be granted by the Authority.

Sundays and Bank Holidays

We cannot suspend parking on Sundays and Bank Holidays, unless it is for the purpose of a Special Event or Utility Works, for which appropriate permissions have been granted.

Charges and length (m) for Bay Suspensions

The current charge for a Parking Bay Suspension is £26 per five metre space (one car space) on the first day and £21 per five metre space each additional consecutive day.

Notice period/payment

For your application to be processed on time, warning notices to be given to other residents, all initial applications and payments must be received a minimum of five clear working days before you need the suspension to start.

The day of submission is not included in the notice period irrespective of whether it is received prior to midday. The office hours are Monday - Friday, 8am to 5pm. We do not count bank and public holidays or Saturday and Sundays as notification days, so you should take these into account when arranging a suspension. In most cases a charge will be made for this service.

We are unable to process applications that are received without giving the five working days notice.

A suspension cannot be granted unless full payment has been received in advance.

What we do

When it is necessary to suspend parking spaces this will normally be done by displaying a warning sign a minimum of four working days before the suspension is due to start, and by leafleting cars and households in the immediate vicinity. The regulations require that the suspension warning sign should be placed in or adjacent to the suspended area and this is usually done by displaying a sign on the nearest post or lamp column to the suspended area bearing a parking sign (providing such a post is available). This applies even if a telegraph pole or tree may be closer. 

Therefore drivers should always check the nearest parking bay sign post to where they have parked, to find out whether a suspension applies. If a parking bay sign post is not available, suspension signs may be placed on the nearest street furniture (for example, a lamp column) to the suspended area.

If a suspension relates to an emergency it may not be possible to give advance warning. Drivers should always check that a bay is in operation both before parking and each day if the vehicle is to be left for longer periods.

Vehicles that remain parked in a suspended bay when the suspension comes into operation will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and either relocated to the nearest legal parking space (if they display a valid permit or Blue Badge) or removed to the car pound (if they do not display a valid permit or Blue Badge). It is a legal requirement that a PCN is issued to a vehicle before it is removed or relocated. 

If you wish to find out if your vehicle has been removed or relocated, please call the TRACE Service on 0845 206 8602.

Make a suspension request

You can:

• make an online suspension request,
• download a printable suspension request form or
• contact the Bay Suspension Team on the Parking Helpline on 020 8871 8871 (select option 4, then option 1 from the pre-recorded messages).

The completed form can also be sent by fax to 020 8871 8399 or by post to:

Submission of this form is not an agreement that the suspension will be agreed.

Important information

Bay suspensions are vehicle specific. For marked vehicles please supply the name of the company and for unmarked vehicles the registration number will be required.

We do not suspend disabled bays or motorcycle bays unless it is imperative to the works being carried out. In the event that these bays have to be suspended Vehicles displaying a valid disabled badge and motorcycles, may park free of charge and without time limit in any permit holder, shared use or pay and display only bay, provided the bay is not suspended

The Council reserves the right to refuse applications where it deems the location unsuitable or if the bay has already been suspended by another applicant. 

The number of parking bays requested for the first day must remain the same for all consecutive days. 

Parking Suspensions are granted for specific reasons and cannot be used for the parking of personal vehicles whilst in force. This includes vehicles used for packing boxes prior to a move.  

Outside of controlled parking zones, we are legally only able to reserve parking spaces for special events or funerals (Hearse and accompanying Limousines only, not private cars), and this is only allowed for a maximum of three days. Residents must make their own arrangements in all other circumstances (e.g. domestic removals). 

No refund of fees will be made if the suspension is cancelled or dates altered due to no fault of the Council. 

If there is a problem with your application, a member of the Suspension Team will contact you to discuss the matter. 

HGV Lorries with an unladen weight of 5 tonnes or more are not allowed to park in residential areas overnight from 6.30pm to 8am the next day.

Once processed, we will send you written confirmation showing the date and location of the bay suspension and a payment receipt. 

Skip licensing suspensions are dealt with differently.