Suspensions and dispensations
- What are suspensions and dispensations?
- What if there are no restrictions on my street?
- Parking for special events
- Companies needing parking throughout the borough or for long periods
- Red routes
- Skips and building materials
- Film companies
- Unauthorised parking
- Unauthorised space holding and blocking
- Further help
What are suspensions and dispensations?
Residents and companies sometimes need to park where there are normally parking restrictions, for instance for a move or major works.
The Council offers two different services to help - parking 'suspensions' and 'dispensations'.
A 'suspension' is where specific parking bays are suspended from normal use and other drivers are advised through the use of a suspension sign.
A 'dispensation' is where specific vehicles are allowed to park in bays or on yellow lines without the need to suspend bays.
Anybody can apply for a suspension or dispensation although there may be a charge, and the Council will only allow for one if it does not impact on the safety of other road users or traffic flow.
What if there are no restrictions on my street?
If there are no restrictions, for instance if you park outside of any Community Parking Zone (known legally as Controlled Parking Zone) and there are no yellow lines, then the Council cannot 'reserve' you a space through a suspension.
Parking for special events
If you are planning a public event which will affect parking over a significant area, for example
- Street parties
- Parades
- Fairs
- Shows
then you should contact the Council to discuss your requirements so that we can make the necessary arrangements to support your event.
Please contact us giving as much information as possible about your event (dates, times, area being covered) and your contact details and a member of Parking Services will call you back.
Companies needing parking throughout the borough or for long periods
For special parking arrangements such as a dispensation to park anywhere in the borough or for long periods, contact us to discuss your requirements, allowing at least 7 days notice.
The Council also supplies Business parking permits for specific zones, or for all zones. See the Business parking permits page for more information.
Red routes
Red route lines are controlled by Transport for London and so they should be contacted for any requests for dispensations.
More information can be found online at the TfL Dispensations page or by calling 0845 603 4545 between 8:30am and 9:00pm, Monday to Friday or 9:00am to 3:00pm Saturday.
Skips and building materials
Bays can be suspended for skips or building materials, but only if the applicant can provide a skip or building materials licence.
For information on obtaining a skip licence or licence to store building materials on the public highway, please call 08456 122 660.
Find out more about skips here.
Film companies
Film companies should contact the Council's Filming Office before applying for suspensions. Email filmrichmond@richmond.gov.uk or call 020 8487 5157.
Unauthorised parking
It is an offence to park in a suspended bay unless that bay has been specifically reserved for you and you have obtained the necessary dispensation for your vehicle. You may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice if found parking in a suspended bay without authorisation.
Similarly, if you fail to obtain a dispensation then normal parking restrictions apply.
Parking anywhere other than the carriageway, for instance on a footpath or grass verge (unless allowed through signs and lines) is an offence throughout London and any vehicles parked in this way may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice.
Unauthorised space holding and blocking
It is an offence to
- hold a parking space within a Community Parking Zone by blocking it off with cones or other objects
- block a parking space, for example with a skip or building materials, without a license.
Both of these actions are considered to be an obstruction of the highway.
You can report an obstruction online. Please help us find the problem by including the nearest property name or number, street name, and town.
Further help
If you need help arranging a suspension or dispensation then please contact us providing as much information as possible and your contact details and a member of staff will call you back.