Parking services enforcement policy

6. SCOPE OF ON-STREET PARKING CONTROL AND RESTRICTIONS

The types of parking control within the area of Sandwell are as follows.

6.1 Restricted Streets

A restricted street is one where waiting by vehicles is prohibited during prescribed hours. In addition, there may be restrictions at certain times on loading or unloading.

Yellow lines marked on the carriageway denote the waiting restrictions and yellow kerb markings show where there are restrictions on loading and unloading.

In addition to yellow carriageway markings and yellow kerb markings, time plates are displayed on posts showing the hours during which the restrictions apply, except on double yellow lines, where waiting is prohibited at all times. The signs and lines apply to the side of the road on which they are located - there may be different restrictions on each side of the road.

The restrictions apply to all the Highway, from the centre of the road including any verge or footway behind the carriageway. Only land known to be private, such as some forecourts, is exempted from the restrictions.

There are no exemptions from the restrictions on Bank Holidays. Red Routes are also restricted streets and further information on these is given later.

The prescribed hours vary from place to place according to local conditions, and are indicated by two types of carriageway markings.

6.2 Double Yellow Lines

A double yellow line means waiting of vehicles on that side of the road is prohibited at any time during a period of at least 4 consecutive months.

In Sandwell, there are no seasonal reasons for waiting restrictions and double yellow lines therefore apply throughout the year. These are enforceable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A time plate is not required.

6.3 Single Yellow Lines

A single yellow line indicates that waiting of vehicles is prohibited at specific times only. The times during which waiting is prohibited will be shown on fixed plates within the length of restricted street.

It is permissible to stop briefly on a yellow line, whether single or double, in order to set down or pick up a passenger, or for the period of time necessary to load or unload goods continuously that is too heavy or bulky to carry a distance from and to the vehicle into or out of adjacent premises. Time to select and purchase goods not already pre-ordered or purchased is not included in the observation period.

6.4 Loading Restrictions

On some streets, or parts of streets, it is necessary to ban loading and unloading for varying periods. These bans are only applied on restricted streets and are supported by time plates. The markings are as follows: -

6.5 Double Kerb Marking

The loading or unloading of vehicles on that side of the road is prohibited at all times.

Disabled Badges are not valid for use on a loading restriction.

6.6 Single Kerb Marking

The loading or unloading of vehicles on that side of the length of road is prohibited during the times shown on the time plates.

Disabled Badges are not valid for use on a loading restriction.

6.7 Parking Places/Bays

A parking place consists of a bay or a number of bays or parking spaces which are indicated on the carriageway by white markings, with double white markings denoting the limits. There will be restrictions on parking in the spaces during the times indicated on adjacent plates.

Pay and Display Parking Places Signs bearing the words "Pay at meter Display ticket" and an arrow pointing to the pay and display machine indicate these parking places.

Any motorist is permitted to leave their vehicle in these parking places if they obtain a parking time from the Pay and Display machine or PaybyPhone app. Any parking time purchased must be, valid for use on the vehicle parked, in the correct location, and if required, clearly displayed for a Civil Enforcement Officer to determine validity.

The Pay and Dislay ticket must be face-up, so that the purchase details including the expiry time can be read.

There will be a maximum time allowed for parking in a Pay & Display bay and a minimum period which must have elapsed before a vehicle may return to park again in the same bay.

The details will be shown on the plate or on the face of Pay & Display machine. Further tickets must not be purchased to extend the time paid for, after initially parking, beyond the total maximum waiting period allowed.

Motorists must check that all the coins they have entered into the machine have been registered before pressing the button to purchase a ticket. The amount is shown on the display on the machine. They should also check the expiry time printed on the ticket.

A Penalty Charge Notice may be issued if the vehicle remains parked after the expiry time, although a grace period of 10 minutes will be given by Sandwell Council in accordance with statutory guidance issued in March 2015.

A motorist must seek an alternative Pay and Display machine to purchase a ticket in the event the nearest one is out of order or use the alternative methods of purchasing parking time.

6.8 Limited Waiting Bays

Parking in these is free. However, the time for which a motorist may stay and the period which must have elapsed before they can return to park again in the same bay are shown on the adjacent sign.

6.9 Residents' Parking Places

Parking places for residents' only are indicated by signs bearing the words "Resident Permit holders only".

Residents who use these facilities must obtain a permit from via MiPermit. The parking places may be reserved for residents' permit holders at all times, or at specific times or days only. Details will be given on plates within the length of the parking place.

Each Resident Scheme is unique and qualification of permit entitlement will be dependent on the number of available spaces within each scheme.

6.10 Resident Zone

Conditions are the same as for the Resident Parking Scheme. However, there are no road markings and the signs are displayed facing the oncoming traffic.

SPECIALISED PARKING PLACES

6.12 Solo Motor Cycle Bays

In some streets a space may be set aside for the parking of solo motorcycles, and the bay will be marked on the carriageway with the words "Motor Cycles".

Disabled Badges are not valid for use in motor cycle bays.

6.13 Disabled Badge Holder Parking Bays

Parking bays reserved for vehicles displaying a disabled person's badge are indicated on the carriageway by white markings denoting the limits of the bay and the word "Disabled". There is an adjacent sign on the footway bearing the "P" and Disabled Persons symbol and the legend "Disabled Badge Holders only". 

Disabled Bays within all Sandwell MBC car parks apply 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The signage will give information on the times at which the bay is reserved for vehicles displaying a Disabled Badge. Vehicles must display a Disabled Badge and time clock set at the time of arrival during these times. The sign will usually specify a maximum period of waiting which applies to vehicles displaying a valid Disabled Badge. 

6.14 Disabled parking bay or ‘H’ bar marking outside your house (not enforceable)

A disabled bay is a road marking placed on street outside your home if you do not have off-street parking. It does not guarantee a parking space for you or the disabled person in your household but is simply a visual reminder to other drivers that the space is needed by a person with mobility difficulties.

An 'H' bar road marking is a road marking, shaped like an elongated 'H', placed to discourage other drivers from parking across and obstructing access to your driveway via a properly constructed pavement crossing (dropped kerbs).

Applicants for a disabled parking bay/’H’ bar marking must hold a Disabled Badge, though they do not have to drive a vehicle. The keeper of the vehicle used by the disabled person and the Disabled Badge holder must live at the application address. Evidence will be required during the application process.

To apply, find out more information and current charges visit: Apply for a disabled parking bay or 'H'-bar markings | Sandwell Council

The road markings are purely advisory and not legally enforceable by either the council’s Civil Enforcement Officers or the Police.

You can apply for a disabled parking bay outside your house provided the following conditions are met:

• The keeper of the vehicle used by the disabled person and the Disabled Badge holder lives at the application address
• There is no off-street parking available (e.g. garage, driveway or rear access)
• Parking close to the application address is difficult to find on a regular basis
• The parking bay would not cause a safety hazard to other road users
• Parking outside the applicant’s property is not restricted (e.g. yellow lines)
• The parking bay is not on or near a junction
• The parking bay markings do not conflict with other road markings
• There is enough space for a parking bay outside the applicant’s property. Exceptionally, other locations may be considered but will be subject to local consultation first.
• The parking bay will not overlap a neighbouring property

You can apply for an 'H Bar' outside your house provided the following conditions are met:

• The keeper of the vehicle used by the disabled person and the blue badge holder live at the application address.
• The applicant’s property has a properly constructed pavement crossing (e.g. dropped kerbs).
• The applicant’s property has a driveway or garage where the car is kept clear of the highway (pavement).
• Access to the driveway is difficult due to regular parking near the pavement crossing.

In the event an application is refused, the applicant will be advised of the reason(s) The application fee is non-refundable.

If your application is approved, the work will be carried out as soon as possible – this type of work is subject to good weather.

If a person with a disabled parking bay is not awarded the renewal of a Disabled Badge, or hands it in for some reason, or moves house, or passes away, please let us know so that the marking can be removed.

• A disabled parking bay will not be marked to tailor-fit specific vehicles
• A disabled parking bay/’H’ bar will not be provided for use by friends, relatives or ambulances when they collect a disabled person from their home
• An ‘H’ Bar marking will only be marked from the point where the kerbs taper down.

6.15 Taxi Bays

Taxi parking bays are indicated on the carriageway by yellow lines denoting the limits of the bay and marked with the word "TAXIS". There will be a time plate saying that no waiting is allowed except for taxis. This may be at any time or at specified times only.

These are not valid for use by private hire vehicles or Disabled Badge holders.

6.16 Loading Bays

Loading bays are bays reserved for parking in order for loading or unloading to be carried out. They are indicated on the carriageway by white lines denoting the limits of the bay and marked with the words "Loading only". There will be an adjacent sign also saying "Loading only" and the times at which the restriction applies.

Disabled Badge holders are not permitted to park in Loading Bays.

6.17 Shared Use Bays

These are bays that will allow vehicles not displaying a residents' permit to park at certain times for a limited period, as for limited waiting bays. The details of when they may do this will be shown on time plates. At other times, no-one may park without displaying a valid permit.

These bays are also available for use by displaying a valid resident's permit or by purchasing parking time. The times at which this applies will be shown on time plates.

RESTRICTIONS FOR BUSES

6.18 Bus Stop Clearways

A single thick yellow line, a yellow bay marking and the words "BUS STOP" in yellow on the carriageway indicate a restricted bus stop. On posts adjacent to the bus stop or on the bus shelter are time plates bearing a "no stopping" symbol, the words "no stopping except buses" and the times at which the prohibition applies. This is usually at any time, but may be for a lesser period. There are no exemptions for loading or unloading, or for picking up or setting down passengers.

Buses are not permitted to use Bus Stops as Stands. Penalty Charge Notices will be issued to buses that uses the Bus Stops as Stands.

Disabled Badges are not valid for use in Bus Stops or Stands.

SCHOOL ENTRANCE RESTRICTIONS

6.19 School Keep Clear markings

A yellow zig-zag line and the words "School Keep Clear" in yellow on the carriageway indicate an area outside a school entrance where no stopping is allowed during the times on the signs on either side of the marking.

There are no exemptions for loading or unloading, or for picking up or setting down passengers.

Disabled Badges are not valid for use on school keep clear markings.

6.20 Pedestrian Crossing Zig-Zag Areas

No stopping is allowed on a zebra or pedestrian crossing including the areas marked by white zig-zag lines. There are no exemptions for loading or unloading, or for picking up or setting down passengers.

Disabled Badges are not valid for use on zigzag markings.

The Police may also issue a Fixed Penalty Notice to a vehicle parked in these areas, and this remains an endorsable offence.

OTHER PARKING RESTRICTIONS

6.21 Heavy Goods Vehicles Parked on Verges or Footways

Heavy goods vehicles which exceed 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight must not park on a verge or footway. There are no signs or lines required to show that this is so, and this applies nationally.

For more information please visit: Road Traffic Act 1988 (legislation.gov.uk)

6.22 Vehicles Double Parked or Away From the Kerb, Causing a hazard or Obstruction

The Traffic Management Act 2004 gives local authorities operating civil parking enforcement the power to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to any vehicle parked more than 50cm from the kerb.

In Sandwell this will only be done if the vehicle is double parked outside a parking bay adjacent to the kerb, or if the vehicle is parked towards the middle of the road so that it causes a hazard or obstruction to traffic.

Disabled Badges are not valid for use to park in this manner.