Parking zone consultations

A stage one consultation is undertaken to gauge the level of public support for the introduction of new parking controls in the local community.

The process allows local opinion to be taken into account before any decision is made and ensures that resources are only spent on designing zones that will be implemented. 

In addition to gauging public support, a detailed analysis of parking stress is also conducted.

Parking stress is defined as the number of vehicles parked divided by available parking spaces as a percentage.

Parking stress is assessed on a street by street basis, taking into account logical boundaries.

A stage two consultation is undertaken following a stage one consultation, or sometimes at the same time.

The level of public support and parking stress will determine whether a stage one or a combined stage one and two consultation is undertaken.

Stage two consultations are designed to assist in determining the layout and hours of any proposed parking zone.

The process takes into account the impact of parking controls on the local resident and business community and other regeneration factors which support the sustainability of the local area.

If a PZ is to be introduced following the stage two consultation a statutory consultation will also be necessary before any PZ is approved.

In some cases, this may additionally require a public enquiry. This involves a notice of proposals being published in Hackney Today (the Council’s free newspaper, other local newspapers in Hackney, and the London Gazette advertising a proposed traffic management order.

We carry out regular reviews of  PZs to ensure that the parking controls continue to meet current and future parking needs of local communities.

Every effort is made during the reviews to balance the competing needs of all road users – from private car and commercial vehicle drivers to cyclists and pedestrians due to the limited kerb space.

During the reviews, we consult all local people about the allocation of parking bays and operational hours to ensure the restrictions are meeting their needs.

Where necessary we will also propose changes to single and double yellow lines (waiting restrictions) to improve road safety and ensure access and visibility for emergency services vehicles.

The reviews also provide an opportunity to review pay and display maximum stay periods and complete an audit of existing disabled bays personalised permit bays to ensure the bays are being used by blue badge and companion e-badge holders.

For results of current and past PZ consultations please see closed consultations.

In conjunction with PZ reviews, or where a need is shown, we may also consult ‘uncontrolled’ roads on the boundary of existing PZs to identify whether local residents are suffering from any parking problems, and whether they would also like parking controls to be introduced.

Where necessary, a combined stage one and two consultation approach may be adopted if a specific area is suffering from severe parking pressures due to displacement parking from neighbouring PZs.