Loading and unloading restrictions

Parking Attendants will observe a vehicle for 5 minutes; if during this time no loading/unloading has been observed then the vehicle will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

Where Loading/unloading has been observed:

  • on a yellow line a vehicle may stop to load/unload for 40 minutes where there are no loading restrictions in force
  • within a parking bay: Loading/unloading may be carried out for a maximum of 20 minutes when restrictions are in force
  • vehicles are no longer permitted to load/unload without a time restriction before 11 am
  • loading/unloading must be continuous and within a reasonable distance to the relevant property, or the vehicle will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice
  • where there are ‘no loading’ restrictions in place any vehicle seen to be loading/unloading will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice
  • outside of the hours of enforcement, loading/unloading may be carried out without any time restriction

 

Do parking restrictions apply on bank and public holidays?

Yes, restrictions do apply.

Controlled zone entry signs show that the hours of restriction are 8.30am to 6.30pm or 10pm Monday to Friday and 8.30 am to 1.30pm or 6.30pm on Saturday. These restrictions still apply on bank and public holidays with the exception of residents’ parking and pay-and-display bays. These are available to all without charge. Read more about yellow line restrictions on Bank and Public holidays.

Waiting is prohibited at all times within a Restricted zone area.
 

Do parking restrictions apply to people who hold Blue and Purple badges?

Yes, some restrictions do apply. Please read the Royal Borough’s leaflet ‘Parking concessions for disabled people’. This leaflet will explain the restrictions. Contact the Disability Transport and Parking Team for application forms.


Why do we need parking restrictions?

When you are desperate for somewhere to park, it’s easy to think of yellow lines and pay-and-display machines as nothing but a nuisance. Recent years have seen a large rise in the number of vehicles on our roads and we have to decide where people can and cannot park.

When we enforce the rules on parking properly, it helps us all by making sure:

  • we have safer roads - greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists
  • congestion on the roads is reduced
  • there is better access for emergency and service vehicles
  • public transport is more efficient
  • we spend less money on repairing paving
  • we have a cleaner environment
  • there is less illegal parking.

We are responsible for:

  • yellow lines
  • double parking
  • residents’ parking bays including those on ‘red routes’
  • bus stops and stands
  • disabled persons’ parking bays
  • parking in pay-and-display
  • pavement parking
  • council car parks
  • overnight lorry parking
  • school entrance markings
  • pedestrian crossings and zigzag markings
  • doctor, diplomatic and loading bays
  • some taxi ranks

The police are responsible for:

  • obstructions

For information on red routes contact:

Transport for London Street Management
Faith Lawson House
15 Dacre Street
London SW1H 0NR

Telephone: 0845 603 4545 or 020 8253 7000