Keep clear road markings

Providing "H", "Keep Clear" or yellow box markings on roads where consistent obstruction problems occur.

Trunk roads are not managed by Suffolk County Council


Suffolk County Council can provide the following road markings where consistent obstruction problems occurs:

  • white “H” markings on the road where a driveway is regularly blocked by drivers visiting, for example, some form of retail outlet (corner shop, off licence, etc.), a leisure facility or school
  • white “Keep Clear” markings on the road where queuing drivers regularly block a side road
  • yellow box markings on the road where traffic frequently blocks a junction

The use of these kinds of markings is not considered to be a high priority and will only be considered in extreme circumstances.

The county council has no powers to move vehicles parked inconsiderately or illegally and you should contact Suffolk Police for help.

If you would like to request renewal of existing road markings please follow this link: Maintenance of road markings.

“H” markings are used to indicate to drivers where a road should be kept clear of waiting or parked vehicles to allow access to private entrances. These markings can only be provided on roads where there are no existing waiting restrictions.  However, obstruction in residential areas is mainly caused by residents/neighbours who know that the driveway/footway crossing area is in use.  In these cases, provision of a white 'H' marking is unlikely to solve the problem.

"Keep Clear" markings are used to indicate to drivers where the road should be kept clear of waiting or parked vehicles to allow access to side roads.  These markings can only be provided on roads where there are no existing waiting restrictions.  However, obstruction in residential areas is mainly caused by residents who know that side road is in use.  In these cases, provision of a white 'Keep Clear' marking is unlikely to solve the problem.

Yellow box markings are used to indicate to drivers where a road MUST be kept clear of waiting or queuing vehicles to allow access to side roads as stated in the Highway Code. Enforcement of the restriction is the responsibility of Suffolk Police.

If you wish to report a problem please contact your Customer Service Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cars are always parking outside my house. Can I stop them?

If these vehicles are legally parked, taxed and not causing an obstruction then they are entitled to park there, even though it maybe outside your property.  If vehicles are parked illegally, contact Suffolk Police.

At school opening and closing times parents picking up their children stop me parking my car near my house.  Can anything be done?

Because it is a short term problem very little can be done.  Enforcement of parking restrictions is carried out by Suffolk Police and they are unlikely to have the resources to attend school premises twice a day, 5 days a week to make sure that that waiting restrictions are observed.

What can be done to stop vehicles parking on the pavement?

Suffolk County Council has no power to stop this happening - it is an enforcement matter for the Suffolk Police.

Cars are always parking outside my house. Can I stop them?

If these vehicles are legally parked, taxed and not causing an obstruction then they are entitled to park there, even though it maybe outside your property.  If vehicles are parked illegally, contact Suffolk Police.