On-street parking

Why do parking controls exist?

Most people like to park close to their destination when they use their cars. However, there is not enough space on the roads to allow this to happen on many occasions.

Cars littering the streets have a negative impact on the environment of residential streets, and traffic trapped in congestion causes increased pollution.

Consequently, Woking Borough Council has adopted policies to manage the parking of cars throughout the Borough. Parking management on public highways and the provision of off-street parking facilities are important parts of these policies.

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What are typical parking controls on public highways?

• Yellow lines to reduce accidents

• Yellow lines to maintain traffic flow and reduce congestion

• Yellow lines to allow loading and unloading only

• Yellow lines to maintain access for all

• Bus stop clearways to allow safe passenger access to buses

• Time limits to ensure turnover for visitors and customers throughout the day

• Spaces specifically reserved for blue badge holders

• Residents parking areas to give permit holders priority parking

• Motorcycle bays to provide parking for two wheeled vehicles

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What are the enforcement arrangements?

Woking Borough Council, acting as agents for Surrey County Council, will enforce all parking regulations on street. Enforcement will be by way of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The police will no longer have powers to enforce yellow lines or other parking restrictions.

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What will the police be responsible for?

The police will still be responsible for moving traffic offences; matters of obstruction; and offences that carry an endorseable penalty, such as stopping on zig-zag markings at pedestrian crossings.

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Where does the money go?

Income from the payment of Penalty Charge Notices goes to Surrey County Council, and is used to fund the cost of enforcement. By law, any surplus will be used to fund improvements to the transport infrastructure.

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Why have I received a PCN when I have been parking in the same place for weeks?

The enforcement regime may have recently changed in that area, but there is no right to park on the public highway on the basis of `custom and practice'.

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Will I receive a PCN if I park across a dropped kerb?

Parking across a dropped kerb can cause an obstruction on the highway, which is a criminal offence enforced by the police. If a waiting restriction applies at the location, our Civil Enforcement Officers will issue a PCN.

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I have received a PCN - what should I do?

Further information about PCNs and parking enforcement.

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Can I park on a yellow line whilst loading or unloading?

Yes, providing it is safe to do so, you are not causing an obstruction, and there is not a loading restriction in force at the time (indicated by yellow kerb markings and a nearby time plate).

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Why is there a yellow line but no sign nearby to indicate when the parking controls operate?

The road is within a Controlled Parking Zone CPZ), where the hours that the parking controls operate are shown on signs at the entry points to the CPZ, rather than in each road. Yellow lines within the zone are only signed if the control hours at that location are different from elsewhere in that zone.

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When can I park in an on-street parking bay?

A time plate will indicate any hours when restrictions apply. Bays may be restricted for the use of residents' parking permit holders only, or have a maximum period that you can stay, and the conditions applying to that bay will be clearly shown on the time plate. Outside of those hours there is unlimited parking without payment.

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A bay has been suspended - can I still park in it?

No. Sometimes it may be necessary to take a bay out of service. If we suspend a bay it will be clearly marked.

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I have a blue disabled parking badge - where am I allowed to park?

There are numerous on-street parking bays for Blue Badge holders are available in Woking located in:· Addison Road· Chapel Street· Church Street East· Commercial Way (access via Chertsey Road)· Duke Street· High Street· Station Approach (opposite the Police Station).These bays have a three hour time limit, so a Time Clock must be set and clearly displayed together with the Blue Badge.In addition, Blue Badge holders may:· park on single and double yellow lines free for up to three hours, except where loading restrictions apply (your time clock must be clearly displayed)

· park in pay and display and voucher parking bays without payment for an unlimited period, except where those bays are suspended or become evening taxi ranks,

Parking in the pedestrianised area of Commercial Way is prohibited between 10.30am and 4pm, Mondays to Saturdays. Parking in some of the bays in Chertsey Road and Church Street East is prohibited after 6pm, when those bays become taxi ranks time plates indicate which bays are affected.Disabled parking bays are available in all car parks operated by Woking Borough Council for vehicles displaying a Blue Badge please go to Disabled Parking for more details.

Blue Badges must be displayed so that the expiry date and serial number are clearly visible; photopcopies are not valid and are not accepted.

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I have a Blue Badge - is there a time limit on parking my vehicle in the street?

• Designated Disabled Bays - three hour limit, time clock must be displayed
• Pay and Display/voucher bays - unlimited
• Single or double yellow line - three hour limit unless a loading restriction applies. Time clock must be displayed.

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I am a Doctor/Health Visitor/Community Nurse who needs to park a car whilst visiting clients - how do I obtain a parking permit?

For further information please contact us on 01483 755855.

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I am undertaking work at a location and want to park my vehicle in a restricted area - how do I obtain a dispensation?

A dispensation may be issued if there is a proven need to park a commercial vehicle on a single yellow line during controlled hours. No dispensations will be issued for locations where there is a loading restriction in force, or for a private motor vehicle. Full details of the location, duration and nature of the work must be included with the application, which will then be considered on its merits. All applications for a dispensation should be made to Parking Services at the Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking.

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Who can I contact for more information about parking and parking enforcement in Woking?

For further information about any aspect of parking in the Borough, please contact:

Parking Services
Woking Borough Council
Civic Offices
Gloucester Square
Woking
GU21 6YL

Email: parking@woking.gov.uk

Phone: 01483 755855