Parking bays
The types of parking bays available vary from zone to zone, and it is to check the signs when 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 Controlled Parking Zones 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.
Free parking bays are time limited, and 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
Meter parking bays are those where you have to 'feed' a meter adjacent to the bay with coins for the period you want to park.
This type of parking is being phased out throughout the borough during 2008 and replaced with pay and display machines.
For more information please see the Parking meters page.
Pay and display parking
During 2008 all of the pay and display machines, lollipop meters and multi-bay meters are being replaced with pay and display machines like the one shown in the picture.
Pay and display bays are intended to enable quick and easy parking by letting drivers pay at the time of parking, either using cash or a credit/debit card.
As good practice you should allow a few extra minutes when paying for time so that you don't over-stay; and you should check the time on the machine against your own timepiece.
For more information on how to use pay and display machines please see the Parking meters page.
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.