The answers to some of the most frequently asked questions relating to On-Street Parking available. Covering the issue of Penalty Charge Notices (Parking Fines), the appeals process and Vehicle Removals. For a printed booklet please telephone: 0115 915 6655

On-Street Parking In Nottingham

• Where can I park?
  In the city centre there are around 1400 On-Street Pay & Display parking spaces. (as well as numerous car parks). Some have a MAXIMUM-STAY period of ONE HOUR, - others are TWO HOURS or THREE HOURS You will see our black Pay & Display machines in the parking bays. Please read carefully the instructions, including the times when charges apply and the Maximum-Stay periods.
  
  
• Why are the times shown on Pay & Display machines different in some areas?
  Certain roads in the city are very busy with traffic during the morning and evening "rush hours". For this reason parking is not allowed at these times. Please check the signs on the streets which show the times when parking is not allowed. The signs are mounted on plates on poles or street lighting columns.
  
  
• What about bus lanes?
  Some bus lanes are in operation from 07:30 to 09:30 and from 16:00 to 18:00. Others operate all day. If there are no times stated on the signs, the bus lane is in operation 24 hours a day. Parking is not allowed when the bus lanes are in operation.
  
  
• What is the Clear Zone all about?
  The Clear Zone has been introduced to make it easier for people to use the shops and businesses in the centre of the city. Most vehicles (including delivery vehicles) are not allowed in the Clear Zone after 10:00 or before 16:30. A separate leaflet is available about the Clear Zone. The City Information Centre have copies available or please ring 915 6592.
  
  
• Why can't I park in pedestrianised areas?
  The pedestrianised areas have also been introduced to make life easier for shoppers. There are still plenty of alternative parking places in the city centre. And don't forget we are all pedestrians as soon as we get out of our cars. So we all benefit from pedestrianised areas.
  
  
• I have a Disabled Persons Blue Badge - Can't I park in the pedestrianised areas?
  Blue (previously Orange) Badge holders can park in the pedestrianised areas until 10:00 and after 16:30. Between 10:00 and 16:30 Blue Badge holders are not allowed to park in these areas. Blue Badge holders who receive High Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, may apply for a Restricted Access Permit which will allow parking in the Pedestrian Areas at any time. Telephone 0115 915 6510 for an Application Form.
  
  
• My business involves doing work for shops and other businesses in the city centre. Where can I park?
  If you are a tradesman carrying out work in the city centre, you may unload your tools and equipment. Once you have unloaded these items, you must move your vehicle to a place where parking is allowed. If the location is within the Clear Zone, you must finish unloading by 10:00 a.m. and you will not be allowed to return to load your vehicle until after 16:30.
  
  
• I'm a delivery driver - What about delivering to businesses in the city centre?
  Deliveries can be made within the Clear Zone before 10:00 and after 16:30. In most other areas (except where the streets are signed "no loading") deliveries can be made at any time. However, if you are parked on yellow lines, or in Pay & Display bays, our Parking Attendants will expect to see loading / unloading activity at least every 5 minutes for saloon vehicles, every 10 minutes for Estate Cars and Vans up to "Transit" size and every 20 minutes for larger vans / lorries.
  
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• I was delivering to a business and have been issued a Penalty Charge. I thought I was allowed to unload on yellow lines or without buying a Pay & Display Ticket in parking bays.
  Unless there is a loading ban (marked by lines across the kerb as well as parallel with the kerb), loading / unloading is permitted. However, the Parking Attendant must see loading activity happening. If your vehicle was left unattended for more than the times shown in Question 8, it is unlikely that the Penalty Charge will be cancelled, - unless you can prove that the goods were so very heavy / bulky that it would reasonably take longer than these times to take them to the relevant place. In any event delivery documents will need to be produced to enable us to consider whether the charge can be cancelled.
  
  
• What about yellow lines - What do they mean?
  a. Single yellow lines on the road mean that there is some restriction on parking. There will also usually be a sign plate (on a pole or lamp post), showing the times when parking is not allowed. Double Yellow Lines mean No Waiting (Parking) At Any Time. Sign Plates are not now required where Double Yellow Lines are in place.
  
  b. For single yellow lines within Controlled Parking Zones, the no waiting restriction normally applies during the same hours as the Zone (unless time plate signs show otherwise). Controlled Zone signs are in place at the entry points to the Zone.
  
  
• I've been issued with a "parking fine" - I had only gone for change. What can I do about it?
  There is no obligation on the City Council to allow any time for motorists to obtain change for Pay & Display machines. The motorist should arrive equipped with change for the machines if he / she intends to park in these spaces. In practice our Parking Attendants carry out observation for 5 minutes before issuing a Penalty Charge Notice. However, once the Notice has been issued, it will not be cancelled in circumstances where the motorist has gone to obtain change and this has taken longer than the observation period.
  
  
• My meeting / doctor's appointment / dental appointment over-ran and I've now received a parking fine because my Pay & Display ticket expired.
  Unfortunately the Penalty Charge will not be cancelled in these circumstances. It is the motorist's responsibility to buy enough time to cover the duration of the parking time required, allowing for any possible over-running of meetings or appointments. In these situations it is advisable to use a car park where payment is made upon return (like Trinity Square, Broadmarsh or Fletcher Gate)
  
  
  
• I have been at a Wedding / Funeral and the service ran over the expected time.
  Only the Official Wedding cars (i.e. The Bridal party) are exempt. Any other wedding guests should park within the normal rules. Similarly only the Official Hearse and any other car provided by the Funeral Director are exempt. All other people attending the funeral should park within normal rules.
  
  
• I lost track of time whilst I was shopping and now I've received a parking fine.
  Again, unfortunately the Penalty Charge will not be cancelled in these circumstances. It is the motorist's responsibility to buy enough time to cover the duration of the parking time required, It is important to make a note of the expiry time on your Pay & Display ticket and then keep a check of time, to make sure you do not over-run your paid for time.
  
  
• Surely, there must be a right of appeal against a "Parking Fine"?
  
  Yes there is a right of appeal.The Road Traffic Act 1991 sets out six grounds on which you make representations to the Council. These are shown below:
  
  a. The recipient was not the owner or driver of the vehicle
  
  b. The alleged contravention did not occur
  
  c. The vehicle was stolen at the time of the offence (documentary proof from the police will be required)
  
  d. The relevant Traffic Regulation Order is invalid
  
  e. The owner of the vehicle is a Hire firm and the hirer has signed a statement of liability for any Penalty Charge Notices. (In this case the hirer will be held to be liable and the city council will proceed against the hirer).
  
  f. The amount of the Penalty Charge exceeds the appropriate amount. (In practice this has been correctly approved by the Council and the Department of Transport, so any challenge is unlikely to be successful).
  
  
• The Council may consider mitigating circumstances, although the following reasons will not normally be accepted:
  
  “I could not find anywhere else to park”
  “I went to get change for the meter”
  “I only stopped for a minute”
  “I thought I was legally parked but I made a mistake”
  “I lent the car to a friend and he will not pay the ticket”
  “This is too much money for a parking contravention”
  “There was no need for a yellow line anyway”
  “I am not the owner / keeper because I hired / leased the vehicle”
• What happens to all the money collected by the council from parking fines?
  Most of the income from Penalty Charge Notice ("Parking Fines") is used to pay for the costs of enforcement. These include the costs of employing the Parking Attendants, the administration staff involved in collecting the fines, maintenance of signs and lines and other associated costs. Any surplus after the costs have been paid, has to be used towards the improvement of on-street or off-street parking facilities, measures to improve public transport or other highway associated improvements.
  
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• Penalty Charge Notices ("Parking Fines")
  
  Although the Penalty Charge is shown as either £50 or £70, a reduced sum of either £25 or £35 is accepted if payment is received by the City Council within 14 days of the date the Notice is issued. Details of How To Pay are shown on the reverse side of the Notice.
  
  If you have been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice ("Parking Fine") please be aware that Parking Attendants have no authority to cancel them.
  
  The following questions and answers in this leaflet have been designed to help you understand the rules and any rights of appeal which you may have. Please do not blame the Parking Attendant for doing his / her job.
  
  Please Note the following information relating to appeals:-
  
  All appeals against a Penalty Charge Notice must be in writing.
  
  
• If your appeal is received at the City Council's Parking Office within 14 days of the date on which the Penalty Charge Notice is issued, you will be allowed to pay at the discounted rate even if your appeal is rejected. You will receive a response, and the discounted payment will be accepted provided you pay within 14 days of the date of the City Council's response. Of course if your appeal is accepted, we will notify you of this.
  
  
• If the City Council rejects your informal appeal, you have the right to make a Formal Representation - see the answer to the earlier question "Surely there must be a right of appeal against a parking fine?" The official form for this will be sent to you with a "Notice To Owner". However, if the Formal Representation is rejected at this stage, the amount payable will be the full charge of either £50 or £70.
  
  The City Council will send you a response. This time it will be either a "Notice of Acceptance of Representation" or a "Notice of Rejection of Representation"
  
  
  
• If the City Council rejects your Representation, you have the right to appeal to an independent body called the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. The legal grounds for appeal are shown under the earlier question “Surely there must be a right of appeal against a parking fine?” ("a" to "f"). The appropriate form to enable you to appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal will be enclosed with the council's "Notice of Rejection of Representation" .Again if the Traffic Penalty Tribunal rejects your appeal, the amount payable will be the full £50 or £70.
  
  For further information about the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, please visit their website:- www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk
• Vehicle Removals
  
  Motorists should be aware that illegally parked vehicles may be removed and taken to the city council's car pound. The Release Fee is £105, in addition to the Penalty Charge. Storage fees are also charged if the vehicle is left at the pound more than 24 hours. (£12 per day)
  
  Nottingham City Car Pound
  Handel Street
  Nottingham
  

           Opening Times:
           Monday - Saturday 7.30am - 9.30pm
           Sunday 9.00am - 1.00pm

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