What is a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)?
CPZs are designed to help people park in their local area, by restricting people from other areas parking in their roads. They can also help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
Within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), only residents who have applied for a permit can park on certain roads during set hours. People who don't live in the CPZ area cannot apply for a permit. Residents can also apply for visitor permits.
Parking bays and signs are installed in CPZ zones to clearly show motorists the parking restrictions that apply within the zone.
Why are the council considering a CPZ in this area?
CPZs put local people first. They help residents and businesses to park in their neighbourhoods by stopping people from outside the local area from parking there. Commuters for example, can create a massive problem for residents who live near a train or tube station, shops or where people come to work, by taking up parking spaces.
CPZs help to reduce overall traffic, improve traffic flow and tackle congestion. They also improve safety, particularly around schools, by reducing inconsiderate parking. They help emergency vehicles and refuse vehicles to reach places by ensuring vehicles don’t block access.
They also give people better access to local services such as parks, local shops and other community venues.
Finally CPZs improve air quality by reducing the amount of time drivers spend driving around in search of available parking spaces, reducing the amount of pollution that vehicles give out into the air. They can also encourage more sustainable types of travel such as public transport, cycling and walking.
As our population gets bigger and we are seeing more and more cars on our roads, CPZs make parking easier for residents and businesses, and protect against future parking pressures.
Why did the council choose my street/area?
Your local area has been chosen to be a CPZ for a number of reasons:
- there have been several reported traffic accidents within the zone and local people have asked us to improve parking in the area
- concerns have been raised about road safety at nearby schools due to inconsiderate parking and increased traffic, particularly during the school run
- a number of shopping parades and community hubs such as health centres and libraries are nearby which increases traffic and traffic congestion
- the extra traffic on the roads is increasing air pollution.
Who is consulted on the instruction of CPZ’s
We aim to consult directly with all affected properties within the proposed area. This includes residents, businesses, schools, places of worship and all other community hubs. However, we don’t directly consult with properties outside of the area or private roads as decisions need to be made based on the feedback from those directly affected.
In addition to this and alongside consulting directly with the affected area we also undertake a legal and statutory consultation process known as the Traffic Management Order Process which enables anyone to formally provide feedback.
How is the decision made to implement/not implement a CPZ?
Please read our residents parking policy (PDF, 190 KB) for more information.
Which streets are included in the CPZ proposal and what timings will apply?
Full details of the scheme plans (with a list of streets) can be viewed on our website. On bank holidays, permits are not required if you are parked in a resident or business parking bay. You also don’t need to use a visitor’s permit for your guests on any bank holiday.
How can I provide feedback on a CPZ proposal consultation in my area?
There were several ways in which residents are able to provide feedback which are as follows:
- Online via the One Borough Voice consultation portal
- Online via the TMO feedback link Email (ped@lbbd.gov.uk)
- A dedicated telephone number (voicemail) (provided in the consultation letter)
- Visiting a local library or Community Hub
- Via QR code provided on consultation letter
- Via Parking Contact Centre (telephone number provided in consultation letter)
I haven’t received a consultation letter when I feel should have or I need more information about the CPZ proposal having received a letter?
If you require any information about parking related issues or concerns, you can speak to an officer in the Parking Customer Services Team on 020 3307 4967 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
I’m a business owner or run a community hub such as a Church, community centre etc.. What consideration is given to my visitors or staff?
We appreciate that there are a variety of parking needs within our communities and one of the key considerations when introducing a CPZ is to consider how best to manage parking demand in a way that provides fair and accessible parking. With regards to visitors, we aim to provide pay by phone parking which currently offers a the first hour free (must be registered via pay by phone).
We also aim to provide opportunities for loading and unloading, if possible, although this may not be possible directly outside your business due to existing street furniture, restrictions or for safety reasons. Please refer to our scheme plans for your area of visit our TraffWeb system for nearby parking opportunities.
There are also other permit types available for business and other community related parking needs. More information regarding this can be found on our parking permits page.
Feedback during consultation is key as this helps us to shape our scheme to meet parking requirements but it’s helpful if we receive this information during the consultation period as we may be unable to change our proposal once the scheme is agreed.
What Permits are available and how do I apply
All the information you need with regards to parking permits can be found on the Parking permits page.
If you need further help or information you can call the Parking Engagement Team and speak with a dedicated parking officer on 020 3307 4967 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Who can apply for permits in a CPZ?
In a CPZ you need a permit to park. Only residents and businesses located within a zone, can buy permits. Those living in a car-free development are not eligible to purchase permits. This helps stop drivers from outside an area from being able to park there, making it easier for residents in a zone to park near their homes.
How much do the permits cost?
All resident permits are valid from one year from the date of issue.
A permit must be purchased for each vehicle registered to your home address.
Parking permit costs are now based on a vehicle's CO2 emissions and this can be found at Appendix A.
Alternatively you can view permit costs on the parking permits page. Please note that prices quoted per permit, per vehicle.
Vehicles displaying a valid blue badge are allowed to park within the CPZ bays, and don’t need to buy a permit.
Why isn't the permit for the first vehicle free?
We have to charge for permits to help us cover the set-up, maintenance and ongoing enforcement of the zones - we need to do this to ensure residents can park in their local area. All boroughs are required to charge for parking for this reason.
Why are permits for some vehicles more expensive?
As part of our commitment to improve air quality for residents, our parking permit fees and charges are based on CO2 emissions which harm the environment. Costs are higher for higher polluting vehicles, to encourage people to move to lower polluting vehicles that are less harmful for the environment.
What are the vehicle emissions for my vehicle?
To find out about the emissions of your vehicle, you can either look on your vehicle log book (V5C) or you can use the GOV.UK website.
Do people have to pay more if they have more than one car?
Each household pays a set permit cost for up to two vehicles. To reduce congestion caused by parked vehicles and to improve road safety, households with three or more vehicles have to pay more for their third, fourth, or fifth vehicle.
Information on the permits and current costs can be found on our parking permit prices page.
If you already have a permit as you already live in a CPZ zone we are proposing to extend, your permit will be valid, and you will not need to buy a new one or do anything.
If I am disabled, do I need a permit?
Vehicles that display a valid blue badge do not have to purchase a permit.
For more information about Blue Badge scheme – “Rights and Responsibilities” please visit the GOV.UK website.
What do I do if I have a visitor?
Visitors will only need to pay for parking during the hours of operation of the zone.
When you have a visitor, you can purchase a permit online and this will be instant once payment has been made. Any payment made for permits is not refundable.
You need to set up a resident permit account on our visitor parking permits and vouchers page. All you need is your visitor’s vehicle registration number, the date they will be staying, and how long they will be staying for.
You can either activate a virtual permit when your visitor is actually parking up or you can do it in advance if you know the date and time that your visitor will be arriving.
Once you have created one permit, your card and vehicles will be remembered by the system. This makes it easy to order new visitor parking permits in the future.
Current Visitor Permit prices
- 4 hours is £1.40
- 1 day is £3.70
Can I book for more than one session of 1 Hour free parking per day, but in different parking locations?
No, you can only claim one 1 Hour free parking session per day, even if you choose to move your car to a different parking location.
I regularly have carers and medical professionals visiting me at my home, do they need a permit?
If you receive home visits from a carer then you may be entitled to a Community and Healthcare parking permit.
You can apply for a new Community and Healthcare permit by completing the application form online.
If you are a resident receiving care you just need to provide proof of your care needs such as:
- a letter from your GP or NHS
- welfare benefit entitlement letter confirming you are in receipt of the Care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
If you are a care provider/agency you must provide proof that you are providing care to a Barking and Dagenham resident (e.g. a contract).
Does a permit guarantee me a space outside of my home?
The permit scheme does not guarantee a parking space outside your home. But it should make it easier for you to park because it stops people who live outside the zone from being able to park there. During the zone’s operating times, only residents and their visitors who hold a relevant parking permit can park there.
Will my permit be valid in all parts of the borough?
No, your permit is only valid for the zone you live in. Residents with permits for other zones will also not be able to park in your zone.
What if I have a company car or van?
If you have a company vehicle, you can still apply for a resident’s permit. We just need a letter from your company on their headed paper confirming that you are the authorised driver or vehicle keeper. The letter needs to show the vehicle registration.
If you are self-employed are you able to claim back any money for the cost of your permit?
It may be possible to claim this as an expense, but you should take professional advice to see what you may be entitled to.
What if I have a London black cab or private hire vehicle?
You can still apply for a resident’s permit. If you do not own your vehicle and it is leased or hired we just need a copy of your hire or lease agreement which shows the vehicle registration.
Do I need a permit if I want to park my motorbike, moped or scooter?
Yes. An annual permit will currently cost £153.30
What are the different types of parking bays?
It is our policy to maximise parking where possible and parking bays are installed in accordance with TSRGD (Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions) regulations. However we can only do so where it promotes safe and accessible parking. This includes leaving enough room for pedestrians to safely negotiate the pavement and for motorists to travel safely along the road. This is particularly important as well for the emergency services who require access to attend emergencies. Please note although as a resident you may have parked in a certain way for some time it isn’t always possible for us to simply introduce formal parking in the same way. Cul-de-sacs or “banjos” are particularly challenging given the lack of opportunity for private driveway parking and the high parking demand within a confined area.
Both length and width of a parking bay do vary across the borough depending on the type and width of footway or road. It is our policy to ensure both sufficient and safe access is maintained on the footway and road. Motorists must park considerately and within the bay itself. If not, and if causing an obstruction, enforcement can take place.
We are required to install parking signs at regular intervals in accordance with regulations and to ensure motorists are clear of the on-street parking restrictions. This may mean that a post and sign is erected outside of your property, but this is on public highway and not private land. We will not consider relocating the post. If you have access to a driveway, the post and sign will not be erected in a location that will cause obstruction to the access and egress of your driveway
Permit Holder Bays
These are bays designated for all valid permits, or particular types of permit as stated on the signs e.g. ‘resident permit holders only’ or ‘business permits only’
Shared use bay
These are bays designed for both permit holders (without additional charge) such as business, carers, voluntary as well as there being an option for or non-permit holders who must ‘pay by phone’ to park there. These bays have a ‘maximum stay’ that only ‘pay by phone’ users must follow. These are typically located around community hubs, green spaces, nursing homes and so on. The option to ‘pay by phone’ is cashless.
Parking bays and dropped kerbs
Where dropped kerbs are in place we endeavour to maximise parking bays around these. However, we must consider the ability for residents to safely access and egress their property via the dropped kerb, which means parking bays often have to stop short of the dropped kerb, enabling better sightlines and accessibility. Please note that sometimes it may not be possible to introduce a parking bay between dropped kerbs as there simply isn’t enough room and this would impact the above. However as already stated we aim to maximise the number of parking bays and will do so if we deem access can still be maintained between dropped kerbs.
Overhanging hedges or shrubbery are reducing accessibility along the footway not that parking bays have been introduced
If we receive reports of overgrown hedges, we forward these onto our colleagues within the Highways service who will look to address this directly. When introducing parking bays on the footway we consider the width of the footway without being impacted by overgrown shrubbery.
Where can’t I park?
Yellow lines indicate where vehicles should not be parked.
Single yellow lines
These mean that on certain days and times no one can park there. Check signage near the yellow lines for more information about the hours.
Double yellow lines
These mean no one can park there all the time, 24 hours a day, all year round. All double yellow lines in Barking and Dagenham operate seven days a week, including bank holidays.
How can the council ensure that only residents get parking and visitor permits?
Only vehicles registered to an address within the designated CPZ zone are able to obtain a permit.
Are these the first CPZs in the borough?
There are several CPZ areas already in place across the borough. The aim of this exercise was to make them more consistent and fair, as some CPZs operated on different times, making the parking restrictions on some streets very different to other streets nearby.
How will the CPZ affect air quality?
CPZs improve air quality by reducing the amount of time drivers spend driving around in search of available parking spaces, reducing the amount of pollution that vehicles give out into the air. They can also encourage more sustainable types of travel such as public transport, cycling and walking.
Our permit pricing structure is designed to discourage the level of high polluting vehicles and reduce car ownership.
What is being done about commercial vehicles?
Within CPZ zones, the maximum size of vehicle you can get a permit for is 2.3m in height or 5.25m in length.
Does the CPZ help to reduce inconsiderate parking around schools?
Parking enforcement around schools is a key priority for us as we recognise that inconsiderate parking near schools can cause significant road safety and traffic congestion issues. CPZs help us to enforce against this, by restricting drivers who live outside a zone from being able to park there.
Can I apply for a dropped kerb if I live in a CPZ
In accordance with 10.2 of the Approval Guidance, if you are considering a dropped kerb, you will be able to apply up until a decision is made about the scheme and an outcome letter is issued to you, any applications received after the outcome letter has been issued will be assessed in accordance with 10.1.
Should a scheme be agreed and implemented, please note that as per the Footway Policy (10.1) which can be found on our dropped kerb page. The Council will refuse crossover requests where this will result in the removal or reduction of a designated parking bay in an existing CPZ or where a CPZ or other parking scheme has been formally approved but not yet implemented.
You can access the Footway Crossing policy on our dropped kerb page and refer to ‘Approval guidance’.
Consideration is now given to residents who own electric vehicles or who hold a valid blue badge.
What about people who have driveways with a legal dropped kerb in place?
If you have a dropped kerb & live in a CPZ and wish to park across your own dropped kerb, you will need to purchase a Dropped Kerb Waiver. You will be allowed to park over your dropped kerb providing you are not encroaching onto any other adjacent bays, blocking anyone else, such as wheelchair, pram users, or other motorists and no double yellow lines are in place.
You will not be permitted to park across any other dropped kerb or where the dropped kerb is shared between two or more properties.
If you park over your dropped kerb without a Dropped Kerb Waiver you risk receiving a penalty charge notice.
A Residents permit is for parking in resident bays only and cannot be used to park across a dropped kerb.
You will not need a permit to park on your off-street driveway/hard standing area.
For more information please visit our parking permits page.
I have a dropped kerb leading to my garage can I apply for a dropped kerb waiver to park across it?
You can only apply for a Dropped Kerb Waiver if your property fall directly within the boundary of the CPZ. For more information please visit our parking permits page.
What can I do if a vehicle is obstructing access to or from my dropped kerb?
If a vehicle is parked across your dropped kerb you can report this by email parkingenforcment@lbbd.gov.uk or call our customer service team on 0203 307 4967 with full details including your name, address, telephone details and the location affected.
A CEO will be dispatched to the location when the contravention is occurring, when and where possible to assess the situation and issue a PCN if warranted.
In the event that a report needs to be made after 5pm in the evening or on the weekends, please call 0208 227 3097 to make an enforcement request.
Why are yellow line restriction introduced across dropped kerbs
As part of the implementation of a CPZ, we install single yellow line parking restrictions including across dropped kerbs, which indicate to motorists that there are restrictions in place. These restrictions allow our Civil Enforcement Officers to legally enforce any vehicle which is parked and causing obstruction, such as parking across a dropped kerb, at the time the incident is occurring, and without the need for the resident to contact the council to report.
For locations that do not fall within a CPZ, has a white T Bar or there are no restrictions in place at all, if an obstruction is caused then the resident would have to contact the Council to report the obstruction, after which a Civil Enforcement officer will be deployed to the location and issue a notice if necessary whereas this would not be the case with the yellow line in place.
Isn't this about making money? Why are we being charged for permits when we already pay our Council Tax?
This isn't about making money. We have done this to make CPZ zones across the borough fairer and more consistent. They will make roads safer, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and make it easier for people who live locally to park near their home.
We have to charge for permits to help us cover the set-up, maintenance and ongoing enforcement of the zones - we need to do this to ensure residents can park in their local area.
Who can I speak to if I need more information or don’t have access to IT
If you require any information about parking related issues or concerns, you can speak to an officer in the Parking Customer Services Team on 020 3307 4967 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Existing Controlled Parking Zones
I live in an existing CPZ. Can this this be reviewed?
We are currently not able to review any existing CPZs. Until we have completed the implementation of the current CPZ programme, which is not expected to be concluded until Summer of 2026, we will not be able to consider any future reviews of existing CPZs.
I live in a CPZ and the markings are faded or the signs have been removed/vandalised
If you report a concern related to the above, please note we will add this to our annual Parking Maintenance Programme, which we regularly review to assess priority based on safety and access, and key areas such as existing CPZ’s. Upon inspection of the area, we will allocate priority and look to rectify in accordance with the above.
Can a yellow line or parking bays be easily amended?
In short, no. We are required to undertake a full consultation with all those affected as part of the statutory Traffic management order process which is often lengthy and costly to the council. This is why we take an areas-based approach when looking to review existing restrictions. However, an inspection will be made upon you concerns being raised to determine whether more urgent action is required
APPENDIX A
All resident permits are valid from one year from the date of issue.
A permit must be purchased for each vehicle registered to your home address.
Prices below are quoted per permit, per vehicle.
(Prices effective from 15 May 2025)
| Tariff band | Emissions (CO2) g/km | Up to 2 vehicles | 3rd vehicle | 4th vehicle | 5 or more vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 to 50 | £15 | £47.25 | £47.25 | £47.25 |
| 2 | 50 to 100 | £18.90 | £47.25 | £47.25 | £47.25 |
| 3 | 101 to 140 | £39.60 | £49.50 | £59.40 | £69.30 |
| 4 | 141 to 160 | £78.75 | £98.53 | £118.13 | £137.90 |
| 5 | 161 to 180 | £102 | £127.60 | £153 | £178.60 |
| 6 | 181 to 255 | £160 | £200 | £240 | £280 |
| 7 | Over 256 | £280 | £350 | £420 | £490 |
(1) subject to the provisions of the Order
(2) Only applicable in off-street car parks where the use of residents' permits is permitted
(3) From 15th May 2025 all diesel vehicles which do not meet the Euro 6 emissions standard will incur a diesel surcharge of £102.20 (Please note that this change in diesel surcharge charge policy is not retrospective)
(4) Any additional vehicle resident permits in excess of 2 vehicles are subject to a minimum charge of £47.25
(5) If your vehicle does not have Co2 emissions data, please contact parking services by emailing parking.permits@lbbd.gov.uk so that a manual conversion of your Cylinder Capacity to Co2 emissions can be done. However, if your vehicle does have co2 emissions data, your email may not be responded to.