Parking suspension and dispensation

What are parking suspensions and dispensations?

If you need to temporarily 'reserve' a part of the highway, such as if you need to park a removal vehicle outside of your home, or if you are a utility company carrying out manual work on or under the highway, then you can apply for a parking suspension or dispensation. You can also apply for a parking suspension or dispensation in any of the council’s car parks. 

Unless this is for emergency works, applications must be received at least seven working days before the start date of the parking suspension or dispensation. This is to allow for the full administration process to be undertaken.

How do I get a parking suspension?

A suspension temporarily suspends the use of a parking bay(s) for vehicles, therefore no vehicles can park here whilst the suspension is ongoing. You can request to park your own vehicle here, with an exemption from the restriction usually in force within the bay(s) (for example, a time restriction or a Pay and Display requirement).

Signage will be displayed adjacent to the affected parking bay(s) to advertise the suspension, along with cones if these are required. A parking place is not legally suspended without the relevant signage being displayed.

If you require a suspension for more than a few days, requests will be considered on their own merits via the application process.

To view the current suspension costs please visit Highway charges.

To apply for a suspension please click here. A non-refundable administration fee of £21.00 must be paid with all applications; this will be deducted from the final cost of the suspension if your application is successful.

Apply for a parking suspension

How do I get a parking dispensation?

A dispensation temporarily makes it lawful for you to park your vehicle in a place where it would usually be unlawful, for example on a double yellow line road marking. 

You will be issued with a dispensation certificate, which is specific to your vehicle, meaning that you can park without the risk of being issued a Penalty Charge Notice. This may be a virtual certificate, therefore you will not have to display anything within your vehicle, as the civil enforcement officers will be able to view the details on their handheld computers. 

If you require a dispensation for more than a few days, requests will be considered on their own merits via the application process. 

View the current dispensation costs on Highway charges.

A non-refundable administration fee of £16.00 must be paid with all applications. This will be deducted from the final cost of the suspension if your application is successful. 

Apply for a parking dispensation

What do I do if I want to place a skip on the public highway?

If you wish to place a skip on the public highway, even if this is in a parking bay, you must possess a skip licence. The suspension/dispensation is included in the cost of the skip licence. 

Please visit the below page on the council’s website for more information on applying for a skip licence.

Please note: that only a skip company can apply for a skip licence.

Placing skips scaffolding and platforms.