Residents Parking Zone (RPZ) Policy

An RPZ is implemented by a Traffic Regulation Order using the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.  Residents and businesses within a proposed scheme and interested parties such as a Business Forums in addition to local Ward Councillors and Town or Parish Council are consulted and given opportunity to feedback their views. Traffic Regulation Orders are processed in accordance with statutory procedures and advertised as required by the "Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England & Wales) Regulations 1989" as amended. This includes observing an objection period for a minimum 21 days during which representations to the proposed Order may be made and considered in accordance with the Council's constitution. Legislation does not allow for a residents parking scheme to be introduced on a temporary or experimental basis.

Designated parking bays are marked out (at a minimum of 1.80 metres wide) on the road and generally designated for use by permit holders only, although in some RPZ's bays are dual use and have limited waiting or Pay and Display controls also in place, the times of operation and any other applicable parking controls in effect are displayed on upright signs at required intervals. 

These signs and markings are required for enforcement of the scheme and cannot be omitted. Traffic signs and road markings are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and Traffic Signs Manual.

Where road width does not allow for parking bays to be marked on both sides of the road, one side may be provided with yellow lines to prohibit parking, to ensure parking is not simply displaced to the other side of the road.