Parking bays
The types of parking bays available vary from zone to zone, and the best advice is to check the signs at the time of parking for instructions.
A summary of the different types of bays available within controlled parking zones is given below, and details of what bays are available in which zones, as well as location maps are given on the CPZ Times and Maps page.
Free parking
In some Controlled Parking Zones you will find free short-stay bays. These do not require any form of payment or permit.
You do need to be aware that free parking bays are time limited, and that you are not allowed to park in excess of the maximum time, or drive away and return to the space within one hour.
Permit parking
This refers to parking bays where a valid permit must be clearly displayed. In the main these are Residents' permit holders' bays only , although some Business permit bays exist and in some cases both types of permits may be used in the same bay.
Eligibility for a permit is tightly controlled and requires the applicants to be resident within the Zone. For more details on permits see our Parking Permits pages.
Meter parking
Meters within the Borough come in two main forms, the older "lollipop" style in which a coin is inserted in the head of the meter which is appropriate for the bay your vehicle is parking in.
In some cases two such meters will be place back to back and the one nearest your vehicle is the correct one. The meter will then either electronically or mechanically (a flag) show the amount of time you have.
The new style meters, or Multi-bay meters, operate in a similar fashion except they are able to control 2 to 4 bays at a time.
In this case you should press firmly the numbered button relating to the bay you are parked in (a number is painted on the ground by the bay) and then insert your coins (failing to press the button first and firmly will cause the coins to fall through).
Once you have inserted your coins the display will show the amount of time you have. If in doubt simply press the bay button again to view the time
The photograph to the right shows multi-bay meter M1409.
If the meter appears not to work there is a number on all types of meters for you to report the meter out of order and allow an engineer to attend the meter and inspect it.
Pay and display parking
This type of parking is common in the borough, and is the type used in our car parks as well.
Having parked your car you must immediately obtain a ticket from the Pay and Display machine. Insert the coins necessary for the amount of time needed and then press the button and your ticket will be printed.
Please note that most of the pay and display machines do not give change and therefore you are able to overpay the machine if you do not have the correct coins.
The Pay and Display ticket must then be placed in the vehicle in such a way that it is prominent and anyone inspecting your vehicle can easily ready the details on the ticket. Remember to check this for yourself and to check that on closing your car door the ticket has remained where you placed it.
A good final piece of advice is to check your watch against the Pay and Display machine and to ensure you account for any difference.
Voucher parking
Voucher parking is only available in some of the Controlled Parking Zones within the borough.
The bays allow parking for up to 2 or 4 hours and in order to park in them you need to display one or two scratch-card style vouchers, available from outlets within the borough, or from The Parking Shop.
More information on vouchers can be found on the Voucher Parking page.
Shared use bays
In most Controlled Parking Zones within the borough you will come across shared use bays.
These are bays with more than one way of validating your parking. For example, you may be able to park using a resident's parking permit in a pay and display bay.
Shared use bays will be signposted and you should always check what you need to do to park there legally.