Suspensions, dispensations and skips

Introduction of a tiered charging structure

Following a comprehensive review of our kerbside permissions in 2015, the council increased and re-modelled bay suspension and single yellow line dispensation charges, as well as implemented other kerbside permission-related policies. The changes applied for applications made and processed from Monday 16 November 2015.

What changed in November 2015?

• an increase in the charges for general parking bay suspensions, alongside a remodelling in the charging regime to a four-tiered system of charges dependent upon duration. Charges are higher in parking zones where bays are subjected to the greatest parking pressure
• an increase in the charges for LJUG suspensions and a similar significant remodelling in charging structure
• an increase in dispensation charges in line with suspensions
• the Introduction of charging for ‘Special Permissions’, the exception being for domestic and office moves on single or double yellow lines which, in line with traffic order exemptions, remain free of charge
• the introduction of a £20 Short Notice administration fee for suspensions booked within 10 calendar days of their commencement date
• the withdrawal of kerbside management concessions, which limited the issue of penalty charge notices (PCNs) to resident permit holders parked in suspended bays for the first two days of a suspension
• an amendment of the council’s policy of charging for alternative provision for large-scale resident bay suspensions whereby the applicant now needs to pay for the provision of 5 alternative resident spaces for every 20 resident bay spaces suspended
• the reclassification of bay size for the suspension of non-delineated parking bays to 5 metres

Why did it change?

The rationale and legal justification for each change is outlined in detail in the Cabinet Member report, but collectively the reasoning for the changes can be summarised as follows:

• to provide demand and restraint pricing mechanisms to discourage and deter unnecessary suspensions, to attempt to reduce the number of parking bays that are taken out of commission, and/or, where a suspension must take place, to reduce the length of time for which a bay is suspended
• to be more consistent with other comparable central London boroughs, where the policy approach has proven successful in reducing demand and thus ensuring greater uniformity across neighbouring boroughs
• to align the council’s kerbside permissions regime so that charges are consistent, fair and consistently applied no matter what type of permission is required (i.e. suspension, dispensation or special permission)
• to address recognised system and process flaws and inconsistencies
• to help manage the increasing demands on our kerbside space and the impacts from further growth and development by encouraging the safe and expeditious movement of traffic and the provision of suitable and adequate kerbside parking facilities for all users
• to help ensure that residents are not disproportionately disadvantaged when resident bays become suspended in their locale