Bay suspensions

In certain circumstances parking spaces may be suspended by the Police or the Council to allow for building operations, domestic removals, weddings, funerals or special events  (Boat races, Wimbledon Tennis), Crane Operations (subject to prior approval from the Traffic Order Engineers on 020 8871 6711), filming (Please contact the Council's Film Office before requesting the suspension), Road Works, Mobile Workshops, Access to Sites (Subject to Council's approval).

If you think you may require the suspension of a parking space, please contact the Bay Suspension Team on the Parking Helpline on 020 8871 8871 (select option 4, then option 1 from the pre-recorded messages).

In order for your application to be processed on time, and 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. Applications received after 5pm or on a Saturday or Sunday will be classified as received on the next working day. In most cases a charge will be made for this service.

Please note we are unable to process applications that are received without giving the 5 clear working days notice.

You can also make a suspension request by downloading a form from the related downloads area or using our online form.

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 resident 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 020 7747 4747.

Please note

• 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.
• Once processed, written confirmation showing the date and location of the bay suspension will be sent to you together with a receipt for the payment.
• Skip licensing suspensions are dealt with differently.
  

Make a suspension request

You can make a suspension request by downloading a form or use our online form.