General parking rules

Approximately 40% of Southwark is covered with controlled parking zones where area-wide restrictions operate to give parking priority to local residents and businesses. 

Other areas of Southwark may have local controls eg. disabled persons parking places, road junctions or close to shops to discourage dangerous or inconsiderate parking. 

All restrictions will be marked in accordance with the Department for Transport and motorists are reminded that it is their responsibility to check the signs and lines before they park to avoid being issued a penalty charge notice.

You can read about parking signs and lines in the highway code.

Controlled parking zones

With nineteen controlled parking zones across Southwark, restrictions are not always the same because different areas have different parking patterns; our zones are tailored to these variations. 

During the hours when parking controls are in operation, parking is only allowed in designated parking places. Designated parking space (indicated by white bay lines) will be signed to explain who can park in the bay, areas that are not safe for parking will be indicated by single or double yellow lines.

You can find out more information on controlled parking zones, when they operate and where you can park below.

Controlled parking zone signs 

The entrance to a controlled parking zone will be signposted by signs like the one above in this page. The sign to the right showing a diagonal black line indicates that you are leaving a controlled parking.

Hours of operation

Parking controls operate at various times throughout the day and different days of the week. Outside of these times, permits are not required and visitors are not required to pay to park. The times are displayed on the controlled parking zone signs and they vary depending on which zone you are in - so make sure you check the signs before you park.

Parking bays

Parking spaces are identified by white markings on the road. There are different types of parking bays within each controlled parking zone including 'resident bays', 'business bays' and 'shared use bays' (permit holders and pay display). Each bay will have a sign next to it stating who is entitled to park in the bay and the hours when rules are enforced.

Blue badge parking places are reserved solely for those persons who may need assistance with accessibility and who are displaying a European blue badge. These bays operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, unless signed otherwise.

Single yellow line restrictions

Within a controlled parking zone, single yellow lines do not have sign plates unless they operate at different times to the rest of the controlled parking zone. Single yellow lines with time plates usually operate over longer hours than the rest of the controlled parking zone - check the time plate to make sure.

Double yellow line restrictions 

A double yellow line means that no parking is allowed at any time. Please remember that

• All double yellow line restrictions in Southwark operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including bank holidays
• Double yellow lines may not have a time plate next to them stating that no parking is allowed. If no sign plate is sited by the double yellow line this still means that no parking is allowed any vehicles parked may be towed away
• Double yellow lines are sited for safety reasons, in areas where parking could cause a serious obstruction

Parking on footpaths

It is an contravention, for which a penalty charge notice could be issued, to park with one or more wheels on any part of an urban road other than a carriageway. The council regularly enforces footway parking throughout the borough and where pedestrian safety is jeopardised, tickets are issued and vehicles are authorised for removal.

It is an contravention to park on any part of an urban road other than the carriageway. Parking on the footpath or verge causes damage and is dangerous to people walking past. Any vehicle (including motorbikes) parked on the footpath are liable to receive a penalty charge notice and may be towed away. In the few locations where footpath parking is allowed, the parking area is clearly indicated by signs and painted markings on the footpath.

Suspension of parking spaces

Sometimes parking spaces may be suspended by the police or Southwark Council to allow for building works, domestic removals, weddings, funerals or special events. In most cases a charge is be made for this service. Please contact the parking shop for further information about organising this.

When parking spaces are suspended, a warning notice is usually put on the nearest parking sign or in the case of a parking meter a bright yellow bag is placed over it.

Drivers should always check that a bay is in operation before parking. If the car is to be left for a number of days, you should check each day to make sure the space has not been suspended while the vehicle is still parked there.