Frequently Asked Questions

New Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ)

I would like to have controlled parking in my area.

Please contact Hackney Service Centre via phone, fax or email providing your contact details, and why you would like a zone introduced. There is a process and timetable to be applied, which you will find on the Parking web page, or from the department. Your request will be logged and we will keep you updated.

I want to raise an objection to a proposed parking zone.

You may attend any of the consultation ‘drop in’ sessions (which you will have been informed of by post, and local press) and speak to a Parking Services Officer or write to the Parking Services. Please provide as much information as you can about your concerns.

I want to know if you are proposing to introduce a new parking zone in my area.

Please contact the Hackney Service Centre on 020 8356 8877, telling us where you live and giving any views you may have on a potential new parking zone in your area.

Parking in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)

Where can my visitors park?

Residents are eligible to purchase visitor vouchers which allow visitors to park in any vacant resident permit, permit, or shared use bays in the area. You only need to use a visitor voucher during the operational hours of the Zone.

Visitor vouchers currently cost £8 for a book of 10 and each voucher allows half a day's parking - two vouchers can be displayed to cover a whole day's parking. A 50% discount is available for Blue Badge holders and residents aged 60+ years. You can find more information and application details here.

Where can Blue Badge holders park?

Blue Badge holders are eligible to park in all shared use bays (permits and pay & display tickets), pay & display bays, single and double yellow lines (for a maximum of 3 hours) and dedicated disabled bays. You can find more information and application details here.

What is a Companion Badge?

The Companion Badge is only available to Blue Badge holders and is specific to one vehicle so is useless to thieves. The Companion Badge still allows you to park anywhere in Hackney. With a Companion Badge you are also able to park in resident permit bays.

By substituting your Blue Badge for a vehicle-specific Companion Badge you are reducing the incentive for theft. You can find more information and application details here.

Why do we have yellow lines? Without them we would have more room to park.

We have to place road markings along every stretch of road to ensure that the area is controlled. The single and double yellow lines provide safety at junctions and places for vehicles to pass, protect private access points and maintain minimum running width for emergency vehicles.

The consultation process

Are CPZs just a money making scheme for the Council?

No. By law revenue generated from CPZs must be invested back into transport related improvements such as highways, street scene improvements, parking enforcement and safer car parks.

How did you decide upon the design changes to the zone?

Prior to the start of consultation we analyse the permit occupancy, Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issue rates, pay & display revenue and parking stress survey data on a street by street basis.

Throughout the six week consultation we receive feedback in the form of questionnaires, telephone queries and letters, door knocking interviews and drop-in sessions. All feedback is taken into consideration in the formulation of final design changes. Every attempt is made to balance the needs of all service users.

Do you consider road safety?

Consideration of safety for your CPZ is made with close consultation with other key stakeholders such as Emergency Services (Fire, Police and Ambulances Services) as well as internal Council departments such as Traffic and Transportation and Highways.

Double yellow lines are installed on most junctions to prevent parking at these locations. This increases safety for pedestrians and motorists through improved visibility and access to streets. Some parking bays are also shortened or removed if they obstruct or impede traffic.

Understanding the parking restrictions

Operational hours

A CPZ is enforceable during the hours of operation. These are shown on the Zone entry signs found at the boundary of the CPZ. Outside the hours of operation you do not need to display a permit. However, double yellow lines or other loading restrictions are enforceable 24 hours a day.

Parking bays

There are different types of parking bays, such as resident permit or business permit, pay & display, and shared use for permit holders and pay & display customers. A sign placed in the bay will tell you what type(s) of parking is permitted. Motorcycles can park for free in any of these bays as long as it is at a right angle to the kerb.

Restrictions on these bays are only enforced during the CPZ hours. Disabled bays are only for the use of Blue or Companion Badge holders and are enforceable at all times.

Waiting restrictions

Waiting restrictions are indicated by yellow lines. Single yellow lines are used where waiting is not permitted during the CPZ hours or other hours as indicated by a sign. A double yellow line is used where waiting is not permitted at any time, such as on a junction or in front of access to property.

You can load or unload on a single or double yellow line except when there are loading restrictions in place.

Loading restrictions

Loading restrictions are indicated by yellow kerb marks. Single yellow kerb marks mean that loading is not permitted during the times shown, which may be during peak times. Double yellow kerb marks mean that loading is not permitted at any time.