Street parking advice

Parking on footways and grass verges is banned across London, and has been since 1985, as it causes damage to pavements and verges and can be a hazard for pedestrians, especially the blind and partially sighted, those considered disabled and children in pushchairs. 

In locations where there is an exemption to the ban and footway parking is allowed, blue signs will be present indicating where and how motorists can park. For example, where in the road footway parking is allowed and whether the vehicle can be parked with two wheels on the footway or all four.  

Parking on the footway where not permitted may result in the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). 

A crossover is where the pavement dips to road level at the entrance to a drive. Crossovers are just as much part of the footway as the pavement itself, even if the crossover leads to your own house. Parking on crossovers is not permitted.

Requesting an exemption 

Requests for an exemption to allow footway parking can only be considered in special circumstances where; 

• it can be proved that access is regularly being restricted by on-street parking, 

• there is clearance of 1.2m to allow pedestrian access, and  

• access to essential utilities and street furniture on the footway, such as trees and lamp columns is not impeded. 

If you wish to apply for a footway parking exemption in your street, please complete a request for new parking scheme. 

All schemes are subject to public consultation and we would therefore advise you to speak to your neighbours to see if the idea would get significant support before making a request.