Maintaining the safety of roads and pavements
by reducing parking on pavements.
Trunk roads are managed by W S Atkins on behalf of the
Highways Agency.
Kerbside parking is controlled in a variety of ways. Drivers
must look out for parking restrictions and obey the regulations
(see
the
Highway Code for further
information). In addition to any waiting or loading
restrictions, drivers must ensure that they are not causing an
obstruction to other road users. Driveways and pedestrian
dropped kerbs should be left clear.
There is no legal right for anyone to park on a public road or
outside their property. Where parked cars or vehicles loading
and unloading obstruct other traffic on a regular basis, Suffolk
County Council may introduce waiting or loading restrictions
(yellow lines, kerb markings and signs showing the extent of the
restrictions). These require a
Traffic regulation order (TRO) to be made. However,
the County Council has no powers to enforce these restrictions once
in place, this is the responsibility
of Suffolk Police.
Traffic restrictions on a road also apply to the highway
verge. It is also an offence to drive along the
footway.
It is not an offence to park a motor vehicle – other than a
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) – on a grass verge unless it:
- causes an obstruction
- a by-law is in force prohibiting it
- there are waiting restrictions on the road which also apply to
the highway verge
Driving or parking, partially or wholly, on a footway is illegal
unless accessing/exiting properties or specifically signed bays are
provided or specific signs allow it.
Vehicles which are parked on the verge that are considered
dangerous or are causing an obstruction e.g. restricting access or
causing visibility problems for other road users, should be
reported to Suffolk Police.
For more information contact our
Customer Service
Centre.
Frequently asked questions:
Can anything be done to stop cars parking next to a road
junction?
Suffolk County Council can assess the junction to see whether a
waiting restriction will make the junction safer.
How can I stop parking outside my property?
There is no legal right for anyone to park on a public road or
outside their property. Unless there is a residents' parking zone,
you cannot reserve a parking space on a public road.
What is a residents parking zone?
A residents parking zone is specifically for residents within the
vicinity of the parking space, to occupy one of these places you
must have either a residents parking permit or a valid visitors
permit.
How can I make the road outside my house a residents'
parking zone?
Suffolk County Council will only consider introducing residents'
parking zones where the local district council has agreed to
operate and fund the scheme. Your first contact should be your
district
or borough council.