Pay to park consultation now open

We are asking for your views on proposed changes to our Pay to Park arrangements. Pay to Park bays are on-street parking spaces that are mostly located close to town and shopping centre. They do not include bays in car parks, or residents’ parking bays in CPZ areas.

Currently, most Pay to Park bays in Waltham Forest charge from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, with an hour of free parking between 1pm to 2pm. The proposals would see these hours changed so charges apply from Monday to Sunday between 8am to 6:30pm. The proposed changes will also remove the current offer of 15 minutes’ free parking in any Pay to Park bay.

The proposals would support our active travel commitments and bring Waltham Forest’s parking arrangements in line with neighbouring boroughs. No decision has yet been made. We are asking for your views to help us create a modern parking policy that meets the needs of everyone in our community.

The survey should take around ten minutes to complete. Paper copies are available at Chingford, Leytonstone, and Walthamstow libraries. 

The consultation closes on Monday 28 October.

What are the proposed changes?

Waltham Forest Council is proposing changes to its Pay to Park (P2P) restrictions. P2P bays are locations where drivers typically pay to park using an app on their phone, such as parking bays close to town or shopping centres. This does not include car parks or existing Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ). The proposed changes include:

Extend operating hours

Extend the restricted hours that are in operation currently which applies to the majority of P2P bays in Waltham Forest from the current 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, to 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Sunday.

Remove free parking periods

Remove the 1-hour free period between 1pm and 2pm and the 15-minute free period.

Why are these changes being proposed?

The proposals will bring the council more in line with neighbouring borough’s operational parking hours, days, and charges, while also supporting and encouraging more active and sustainable travel options in the borough thus reducing congestion and harmful emissions.

Approximately 73% of London boroughs operate Monday to Saturday restrictions, and three in four operate restrictions that cover 60 to 75 hours per week. This is in comparison to the 30 hours per week of restrictions currently in place in Waltham Forest.

Will this affect me as a disabled driver/Blue Badge holder?

No. The current offer often sees vehicles taking up free parking spaces for the entire unrestricted period, which prevents Blue Badge holders being able to use these spaces. 

By increasing vehicle turnover, we hope to make more bays available for Blue Badge holders. Blue Badge holders will not have to pay to park, as is currently the case.

How will this affect local businesses on my high street?

The vast majority of businesses should not experience any disruption. The proposed changes will bring Waltham Forest parking restrictions, and its enforcement, in line with neighbouring boroughs. These changes will therefore make it less confusing to residents and visitors as Waltham Forest will align more with the rest of London.

It is anticipated that these changes will increase parking turnover. This will make more spaces available for customers at all times, which will increase visitors to shops as bays become more frequently available. 

The council will further continue to promote active travel options for residents to help them visit and spend money supporting small businesses in their local high streets and town centres.

Will this affect me as a tradesperson?

Businesses and households will continue to be able to apply for traders’ parking permits, negating the need to use P2P bays. More information is available on the council website:

Find out more and apply for a traders parking permit

How can I take part in the consultation?

Complete the pay to park online consultation. 

Paper copies are available at Chingford, Leytonstone, and Walthamstow libraries. 

The consultation ends on Monday 28 October 2024. Please make sure your responses have been supplied by that date.

Completing the survey should take no longer than ten minutes.

What will the extra money be used for?

Any additional income generated from the proposed changes will be invested in highways improvements and essential road repairs. This ensures that there is a good, well maintained highway network for all road users.

Are there alternative places to park my car? 

Find out more about alternative parking places. 

Are other areas doing this?

Most neighbouring boroughs have similar times of enforcement to our proposed changes. The majority do not offer any free parking periods. 

Three in four London Boroughs operate restrictions that cover 60 - 75 hours per week. This is in comparison to the 30 hours per week of restrictions currently in place in Waltham Forest.

What should I do if there is no space to park?

If you currently use free parking during the proposed restricted times, you may need to pay to park or find alternative parking/transportation options.

We are encouraging residents to consider active travel options such as walking, cycling, or scooting wherever possible. Free cycle training is available for anyone who lives, works, or studies in Waltham Forest to help build confidence. 

Will this improve air quality?

The changes are intended to discourage car usage, especially for shorter journeys. Car journeys of less than 15 minutes create more pollution than longer journeys and we anticipate an overall environmental benefit.