Traffic Management Orders FAQs

What is a Traffic Management Order (TMO)? 

A Traffic Management Order is a legal document that regulates traffic. The council plans to extend these enforcement powers to all housing estates and land managed by London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH). 

How does the council control parking on housing estates currently? 

The council enforces parking on estates using a traffic management order (TMO) which is an agreement between the council and residents to park if conditions are met. 

Why is there a need to make changes to the way we enforce parking control? 

The Government has written to all councils. They should not use "contract law" to enforce parking on off-street land, like housing estates. 

It also said that for councils who continue to use this system, future applications to the DVLA for car keeper details would “more than likely not be approved”. 

Since that period, councils including who enforce parking control on housing estates by the use of contract law have faced difficulties in pursuing those who park illegally. 

Residents may be aware that this has had a severe impact in Tower Hamlets with a steady increase in those ignoring the enforcement regime and also the number of complaints. 

Like many other local authorities, the council are now changing the parking regime to tackle this ongoing problem. 

Renew your Estate Parking permit online 

For the fastest and most convenient way to renew your Estate parking permit, you can now pay online using the link below. 

Renew your Estate parking permit online 

How are changes made to parking enforcement? 

To make changes to parking on your estate requires that a statutory consultation involving all residents is carried out. 

What changes are currently in place under the TMO? 

The removal of any vehicle permits 

Abuse of the any vehicle permit system on the estates is rife and would make any parking system difficult to enforce. 

To successfully control traffic, enforcement must proceed along the lines of a car being tied to a car registration number.  

How will the allocation of parking permits work? 

TMOs will be introduced ward by ward. On each estate: 

• Existing residential tenants, sub-tenants, freeholders and leaseholders with permits will given the opportunity to retain them. 

• Any available spaces will then be offered to residential tenants, sub-tenants, freeholders and leaseholders without a space 

Who will benefit? 

• TMO’s will prevent illegal parking and will be patrolled by uniformed officers who have the same powers as Civil Enforcement Officers who enforce on the streets of our Borough. 

• Some residents have complained that they are unable to park on their own estate. In many circumstances, this will increase the chances of a Tenant or Leaseholder getting a space. 

• Some resident groups also wish to reduce parking availability on their estate and these proposals will ensure that these views are taken into account. 

• The works that will accompany Traffic Management Orders may also improve the condition of some estate roads. 

Who may lose permits? 

• Those Out of Borough residents who commute to Tower Hamlets will lose their permits under this scheme freeing up around 430 spaces. 

• There is also a chance that some LBTH residents who are not tenants or leaseholders may lose their permit under this scheme. 

• Existing bay holders that do not reside on the estate will lose their permits. 

• On some estates there may be a loss of spaces if a scheme is not compliant with the Road Regulations Act 1984. 

• New applications from those who live out of Borough are no longer being taken. Similarly, applications from the LBTH residents’ category are also suspended whilst a review of this category is taking place. 

What restrictions are being placed on permits? 

It is proposed to limit permits to two per household. Residents with more than two parking spaces will be required to give up their third space (and any additional spaces) so that we can accommodate other residents within the zone. 

How will this affect disabled tenants? 

Residents with a Blue Badge will be given priority when applying for a designated bay. Subject to availability, we may also be able to waive the permit fee if the eligibility criteria are met. 

Will there by visitor bays? 

Some zones will have visitor bays implemented; however, not all zones will include a designated visitor bay. A valid visitor permit is required.