Apply for Dispensation or a Parking Suspension

Applying for dispensation or for a parking suspension is not as straightforward as it may seem, please read through the webpage and look for what could be the best solution for you. If your works are related to any kind of breaking of the road surface, you must go directly to our Roadworks control team for road occupation.

If your works affect more than one restriction, you will have to apply for each of them separately using the appropriate online form.

If you are working on behalf of someone, it is your responsibility to discuss any parking arrangements with your client and associated parking costs as part of your works. 

Please note, we do not provide free parking for any type of request. 

Parking dispensation

What do we give parking dispensation for?

• You can apply for dispensation to overstay the maximum 30 minute allowance for loading and unloading on a single yellow line, on double yellow lines or in a loading bay.  Please note, the loading and unloading activity must be continuous and not all locations are suitable. This will be assessed.
• You can apply for dispensation to overstay the maximum stay in any parking space. This includes all parking spaces within our existing parking zones. Please note, where charges apply, you must also pay for any additional time you occupy a parking space e.g.  if the maximum stay is for 3 hours, but you require 4 hours, you will have to pay for the additional time too.

Please note, we only consider dispensation requests from registered businesses.

Where do we not give parking dispensation for?

Locations where the area needs to be kept clear for road safety reasons.

Locations where there are: bus stops, car club spaces and electric vehicle spaces.

If this is unavoidable, you will require to obtain permission from the council teams listed below. 

• Email: car club spaces
• Email: electric vehicle spaces
• Email: bus stops

Locations where there are taxi ranks and disabled parking spaces.

Event organisers or film companies: any request will require to be approved by our events team.

Are there any exemptions?

Drainage contractors: you do not require dispensation if all three of the following conditions apply:

1. It is a public health matter (dealing with sewerage blockages, flooding, and discharges).
2. Your equipment is attached to the vehicle (power jet, cameras, pumps).
3. The equipment is actively engaged for the period you work there.

Apply for parking dispensation

Before you apply:

Check your calendar. You must submit your application at least 3 full days before the start date of your request.

Only the owner/operator of the vehicle can apply.

Each application is assessed individually, according to the specific location and the specific time of the request. The same application for a previously granted location might not be granted at another time due to different circumstances.

There is no guarantee you will be granted the exact location you have applied for. If you need to reserve an exact location then you will require a parking suspension.

Obtaining dispensation for a certain location does not mean the location is reserved only for you. It may be that upon your arrival, someone is already using it.

To apply for a parking dispensation please complete our online form.

Parking suspension

Where do we allow parking suspensions?

• Parking suspensions are available for any parking spaces and they require a Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice (for up to 21 days) or a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (for more than 21 days).  
• If the area you want to reserve has double yellow lines, a single yellow line or a loading and unloading bay, you will require a Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice or Temporary Traffic Regulation Order.

Please note, each request will be assessed individually, and the council may refuse your application and direct you to a different option to accommodate your needs.

What if I need some road space where no restrictions are in place?

If the area you want to reserve has no restrictions, you will still require a Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice (for up to 21 days) or a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (for more than 21 days).  

In order to apply, what do I need?

• A qualified Traffic Management contractor (who will manage the suspension on your behalf).
• A plan or marked image which shows the location and the parking spaces you intend to suspend to be attached on your application form.
• The details of any vehicles you want to use in the suspended area: registration, make, model and colour.
•  Invoicing details (company name, full address, email address, telephone number and purchase order number) for the payment of the Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice (TTRN) or Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO), in case your application is successful. To check these costs, please visit our Book of Charges.

Please note, if you are suspending exisiting parking spaces, in addition to the TTRN or TTRO fees, you will be required to pay the costs of a daily charge for each suspended parking space and for each day you will need those spaces suspended.

For example, you require the suspension of 2 No. parking spaces for 3 days. The location you wish to be suspended is chargeable from 8am to 6pm at the cost of £0.80 per 15 mins.
You will be required to pay the entire 10-hour daily period for each space which is suspended. In this case, the total cost for 3 days and 2 No. parking spaces will be £192. This cost would be added to the cost of a TTRN.

What happens after my online application has been accepted?

You will be issued with the TTRN or TTRO which must be displayed at the location of your suspension to inform the public.

Please note, it is your contractor's duty to:

1. Display the TTRN/TTRO at least 48 hours prior to the suspension and remove them when the suspension is over.
2. Place yellow no waiting cones after 6pm of the night before the suspension commences. Cones should be placed no greater than 5 metres apart. 
3. Complete a "parked vehicle register" which must note any vehicle parked in the suspended area at the time of coning. A template will be provided for this.

Apply for parking suspension

Before you apply:

You must already have appointed a TM contractor.

You must submit your application at least 9 full days before the start date of your request.

To apply for a parking suspension please complete our online form.

Accessing pedestrianised areas

Access to pedestrianised areas needs to be requested through our community safety team, 

Bus lane and bus gate dispensation

In exceptional circumstances, you may be able to apply for a dispensation.

Please note, we only grant dispensation to registered businesses and it must be only for one-off situations, we cannot accept long-term requests.

Before applying, you need to answer the following questions:

• can the location be reached without going through a bus gate or a bus lane?

If your answer is no, the next question is:

• whether the activity can be carried out outside the bus gate and bus lane operating times.

If your answer is still no, then your application can be considered, provided you give a valid reason for the impossibility to avoid the restriction.

Apply for bus lane and bus gate dispensation

Before you apply:

Check your calendar. You must submit your application at least 10 full days before the start date of your request.

Keep in mind that the final decision is down to the council when considering your request.

Only the owner/operator of the vehicle can apply.

To apply for a bus lane and bus gate dispensation please complete our online form.