Parking restrictions - controlled parking zones

• What is a controlled parking zone?
• What is the purpose of a controlled parking zone?
• Where are the controlled parking zones in the borough?
• When do the controlled parking zone restrictions apply?
• Where and for how long can I park with my permit?
• How do I know I am in a controlled parking zone?
• Where can I park during the controlled parking zone hours?
• Where can I park when the controlled parking zone hours are not operational?
• Proposals for revisions to controlled parking zones

What is a controlled parking zone?

A controlled parking zone, often referred to as a CPZ, is an area where the council have introduced restrictions on parking during certain times.

These restrictions only apply to public roads. Other restrictions apply to private land and streets such as council estates.

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What is the purpose of a controlled parking zone?

Each zone has been designed to reflect the needs of the local community, to:

• protect local residents’ parking interests
• provide parking facilities for local businesses and visitors
• deter commuter parking
• reduce traffic congestion and accidents.

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Where are the controlled parking zones in the borough?

The borough currently has four main controlled parking zones (with mini zones within these), covering most streets in Tower Hamlets:

Zone A: Bethnal Green area, there are 6 Mini-Zones within Zone A
Zone B: Bow and Poplar area, there are 3 Mini-Zones within Zone B
Zone C: Stepney and Wapping area, there are 4 Mini-Zones within Zone C
Zone D: Isle of Dogs area, there are 2 Mini-Zones within Zone D

You can view these zones on our online Map viewer

or

You can download a map of the borough showing these zones (PDF 228k).

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Parking Restrictions within:

Mini-Zones A1 and A2 apply between apply between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am and 2.30pm on Sunday.

Mini-Zones A3, B1 and the Chrisp Street area of B3 apply between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Mini-Zones A5 and A6 apply between 8.30am and 7.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am and 2.00pm on Sunday.

The other Mini-Zones A4, B2, B3 (Excluding Chrisp Street area), C1, C2, C3, C4, D1 and D2 apply between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

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Where and for how long can I park with my permit?

A permit holder can park within their main zone for an unlimited period. For example an A1 permit holder can park without time limit in A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, or A6.

A permit holder can park for up to 3 hours in any other zone. For example an A1 permit holder can park for up to 3 hours in B1.

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How do I know I am in a controlled parking zone?

When you enter a controlled parking zone you will see a CPZ entry sign. These signs are erected at all entry points to that zone. >

The sign tells you the days and the hours that the restrictions apply to.

Pay and display machines will also tell you the restricted hours for the zone you are in. Signs displaying the restricted hours and the Mini-Zone identification code are also erected on all bays throughout the borough.

Click here to see a larger version of a Controlled parking zone sign

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Where can I park during the controlled parking zone hours?

When you are in the controlled parking zone, you will see a range of bays marked out on the road with white lines, with signs erected to indicate who may park in these bays.

During the controlled hours, you can only park in a bay if your vehicle meets the criteria specified on these signs. Please note that on Public Holidays the controls on parking bays do not apply. (Except Disabled Bays and Doctor Bays)

We have different types of bays to reflect different types of parking users:

Resident permit bay

Click here to see a larger version of a Resident permit bay sign

Permit holders bay

Click here to see a larger version of a Permit holders bay sign

Business permit bay

Click here to see a larger version of a Business permit bay sign

Permit and pay and display bay

Click here to see a larger version of a Permit and pay and display bay sign

Personalised disabled bay

Click here to see a larger version of a Personalised disabled bay sign

Disabled bay

Click here to see a larger version of a Disabled bay sign

Make sure that when you park your vehicle:

• You are allowed to park in the bay you have chosen
• You have the relevant permit, visitor scratch-card or pay and display ticket, appropriate to that bay
• Your permit, etc is clearly on display so that all the details can be seen
• Your permit, etc is valid – for example, make sure the permit has not expire
• Your vehicle is parked with all the wheels within the white lines.

From time to time the council has to suspend parking bays. When this happens, we put up a suspension sign indicating when the suspension starts and ends. During this suspension you must not park your vehicle in the bays.

This is an example of a suspension sign.

Click here to see a larger version of a suspension sign

You can see more details on suspension of parking here.

Motorcycle parking bay

Click here to see a larger version of a motorcycle parking bay sign

Motorcycle bays are provided at the under-listed locations. Motorcycles may be parked within the confine of these bays without displaying any permit and for unlimited period during the controlled hours. Motorcycle bays in LBTH

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Where can I park when the controlled parking zone hours are not operational?

• Bays: when the controlled parking zone hours do not apply, you can park your vehicle in any bay, except the disabled bays and doctor bays
• Single yellow lines: you can park on a single yellow line in a controlled parking zone outside of the restricted hours, or the hours stated on any supplementary plates.

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Revisions to controlled parking zones

The council adopted its strategic parking plan in 2002. Since then, car use by residents and businesses in Tower Hamlets has increased.

In February 2004, the borough’s parking strategy was reviewed, following consultation, and a number of essential changes from January 2005 are taking place.

The principal changes are:-

(1) The introduction of more manageable 'mini-zones' and more restricted hours in some mini-zones, namely A3, A5 and A6.

(2) Residents' visitors scratchcards will only be valid in the resident's particular mini-zone.

Residents’ visitor scratch-cards will only be valid in the resident’s particular mini-zone.

The revised mini-zones have now been implemented, with the appropriate identification codes erected on all parking bay signs.

There will be no change to permit holders’ entitlement to park within their own main zone, or for up to three hours in the other zones. All further Permits now have the appropriate mini-zone code.

Pid No: 473