Parking restrictions and traffic regulations

The City of London is responsible for enforcing all parking restrictions and some traffic regulations within its boundary with the exception of those contraventions which occur on Red Routes.

For information on how these restrictions are enforced, how to pay and how to appeal, see the Enforcement page. Click for guidance on avoiding parking tickets.

Red Routes

Red Routes are priority routes with a no stopping restriction and are controlled by Transport for London. Red Routes are marked by red lines on the carriageway. Within the City the following streets are designated Red Routes:

Bishopsgate
Blackfriars Bridge
Farringdon Street
Goodman's Yard
Gracechurch Street
London Bridge

Mansell St
New Victoria Street
Queen Victoria Street (Blackfriars Bridge approach)
Tower Bridge approach
Upper and Lower Thames Street
Victoria Embankment

Parking

Restrictions

The whole of the City is covered by two Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) designated the City of London Zone - which covers most of the City, - and the Smithfield Zone - which has special provisions for traders and customers of the Smithfield Market.

The controlled hours for the City of London Zone, during which motorists must pay to park in a permitted bay and must not park on single yellow lines, are 8.30am - 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays and 8.30am - 1.30pm on Saturdays. In some streets regulations also apply on Sundays. Times are indicated by time plate signs in the relevant streets. Double yellow lines indicate that parking is prohibited at any time.

The controlled hours for the Smithfield Zone are 24 hours a day and the regulations that apply to the market trading / loading bays permit goods vehicles only, at any time.

Parking bays

Click for details of parking bays and our pay and display facilities.

Parking bays can also be located via our interactive mapping facility.

Waiting on yellow lines

Double yellow lines mean a waiting restriction at any time - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Single yellow lines mean a waiting restriction for a period less than 24 hours a day. In most locations this restriction will apply for the controlled zone hours (8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 1.30pm Saturday). However some streets have extended hours and / or may also apply on Sundays. Main bus routes through the City have a restriction from 7.00am to 7.00pm. The restrictions applicable are displayed on local time plates.

Loading/unloading on yellow lines

... without kerb chevrons

Loading and unloading is an exemption to the restricted street regulations. It is permitted on single and double yellow lines as long as the loading and unloading is undertaken as a continuous procedure. Up to 11.00am there is no time limit, after 11.00am a maximum period of 20 minutes is allowed. If loading and unloading is not seen to be taking place a parking ticket may be issued. For commercial operations which do not meet these criteria dispensations must be obtained. Visit the highways online pages.

... with kerb chevrons

Double kerb chevrons mean a total loading ban at any time - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Single kerb chevrons mean a loading ban for a period less than 24 hours a day. The restrictions are displayed on local time plates.

Footway parking

There is a London-wide ban at all times on vehicles parking on any part of the footway over which pedestrians have access. This ban applies irrespective of the ownership of the land concerned.

If you observe a vehicle that is causing an obstruction in this way, please forward the details directly to our parking enforcement contractor by completing a fault report. During the hours of 7.00am to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday, the nearest available parking attendant will be asked to respond by visiting the site, or the information may be acted upon using CCTV cameras. Outside of these times, the information will be logged and actioned as quickly as possible.

Traffic regulations

Drivers who ignore traffic regulations could be a danger to pedestrians and other road users and cause congestion and delays. The City of London is responsible for enforcing the following traffic offences:

Driving in the wrong direction
Making prohibited turns
Failing to give priority to other vehicles when required
Using streets where some or all types of vehicle are prohibited
Using bus and cycle lanes
Stopping where it is prohibited
Stopping in a yellow box junction

Click here for further details on enforcement of regulations.

General assistance

For information or assistance with on street parking please contact the City of London Parking Helpline on 020 7332 3910 or email us at squaremileparking@vincipark.co.uk.

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