cinek
MB Enthusiast
Following from the other thread, involving parking on double yellow lines I would like to add few points to the discussion, without hijacking the other thread.
I will not go into a very specific details, as I havent got the time (sorry) and it would end up creating another 'War and Peace' on here...
Parking attendants in most boroughs are on the cumulative bonus, meaning - the more revenue they bring, the more extra pay they receive.
When you put it like this, no wonder they will go out of their ways to issue as many tickets as possible.
The government tries to stop this, and show a bit of leniency to members of public and they are currently discussing a 5min delay between the meter cut off and actual ticket issued.
Parking restrictions are normally enforced by yellow markings supported by relevant signs. They may be 'Pay and display' machines near-by, or parking will be restricted to permit holders only (e.g. local residents)
Parking outside the allocated bay, without the valid permit or sometimes with the wrong type of vehicle (car parked in motorcycles bays) will normally result in a fine.
I have already explained the rules behind the yellow lines, so lets add red routes to the equation.
As such, these are monitored by the city's main governing body - oppose to local boroughs.
In London, all red routes are managed and enforced by the TfL.
In simple words - stay away from those. In most cases you will not end up with the just the ticket, but will see your car lifted and taken away as well.
Bus lanes - some of them will have information signs (white letters on blue background), some dont.
If they do have time displayed, e.g. 7am - 10am, this is the time where the bus lane is operational. Some may have 'At Any Time' notice, which is self-explanatory.
If however there are no signs with time limits displayed - stay well away! These are 24h and most likely monitored.
Remember, some buses have on board recording, plus there are countless CCTV units installed for that exact purpose - catch as many offenders, as possible.
Speed - each speed difference will be indicated by two terminal signs (either side of carriageway).
In a temporary situation (roadworks) these signs are subject to illumination requirements, which are;
- in the permanent speed of 50mph or more
- 50m or less from the lamp column
- in are of general street lighting which is on
In the road works situation, the speed repeater signs are to be placed in pairs or on the alternate side of carriageway.
If the speed limit is reduced to 40mph - repeaters must be no more than 500m apart if in pairs, or no more than 350m if alternated.
If the speed limit is reduced to 50mph - repeaters must be no more than 700m apart if in pairs, or no more than 450m if alternated.
The repeaters are subject to illumination requirements, just like the terminal signs.
Yellow boxes - this scheme is monitored and enforced by TfL. Unless your vehicle is constantly moving (even if it is 5mph), stopping on the yellow box will result in fine.
TfL employs special units who's sole purpose is to monitor busy junctions, in some cases - 24/7.
Again, unless the yellow box FULLY complies with TSRGD 2002, no offence was committed and no fine can be issued.
I wont go in a detail as to how these are painted, but as it is extremely difficult to lay the paint across the whole of junction in one hit - and because of that, most of yellow boxes in London are in fact incorrect!
Disabled bays on the streets - if you are disable badge holder and come across a disable bay on a street, say with the house number, you are still allowed to park in there.
It is illegal to paint a house number in such bay, as by law, anybody who's a blue badge holder, is allowed to park in there.
That means, you might have gone through all the effort to have one put outside your house, but if the next door neighbour decides to use it - there is nothing you can do to stop him (unless they do not have the blue badge of course).
There is a lot more, but I got to run...maybe we could use this and others could share their experiences and how to help each other out.
I will not go into a very specific details, as I havent got the time (sorry) and it would end up creating another 'War and Peace' on here...
Parking attendants in most boroughs are on the cumulative bonus, meaning - the more revenue they bring, the more extra pay they receive.
When you put it like this, no wonder they will go out of their ways to issue as many tickets as possible.
The government tries to stop this, and show a bit of leniency to members of public and they are currently discussing a 5min delay between the meter cut off and actual ticket issued.
Parking restrictions are normally enforced by yellow markings supported by relevant signs. They may be 'Pay and display' machines near-by, or parking will be restricted to permit holders only (e.g. local residents)
Parking outside the allocated bay, without the valid permit or sometimes with the wrong type of vehicle (car parked in motorcycles bays) will normally result in a fine.
I have already explained the rules behind the yellow lines, so lets add red routes to the equation.
As such, these are monitored by the city's main governing body - oppose to local boroughs.
In London, all red routes are managed and enforced by the TfL.
In simple words - stay away from those. In most cases you will not end up with the just the ticket, but will see your car lifted and taken away as well.
Bus lanes - some of them will have information signs (white letters on blue background), some dont.
If they do have time displayed, e.g. 7am - 10am, this is the time where the bus lane is operational. Some may have 'At Any Time' notice, which is self-explanatory.
If however there are no signs with time limits displayed - stay well away! These are 24h and most likely monitored.
Remember, some buses have on board recording, plus there are countless CCTV units installed for that exact purpose - catch as many offenders, as possible.
Speed - each speed difference will be indicated by two terminal signs (either side of carriageway).
In a temporary situation (roadworks) these signs are subject to illumination requirements, which are;
- in the permanent speed of 50mph or more
- 50m or less from the lamp column
- in are of general street lighting which is on
In the road works situation, the speed repeater signs are to be placed in pairs or on the alternate side of carriageway.
If the speed limit is reduced to 40mph - repeaters must be no more than 500m apart if in pairs, or no more than 350m if alternated.
If the speed limit is reduced to 50mph - repeaters must be no more than 700m apart if in pairs, or no more than 450m if alternated.
The repeaters are subject to illumination requirements, just like the terminal signs.
Yellow boxes - this scheme is monitored and enforced by TfL. Unless your vehicle is constantly moving (even if it is 5mph), stopping on the yellow box will result in fine.
TfL employs special units who's sole purpose is to monitor busy junctions, in some cases - 24/7.
Again, unless the yellow box FULLY complies with TSRGD 2002, no offence was committed and no fine can be issued.
I wont go in a detail as to how these are painted, but as it is extremely difficult to lay the paint across the whole of junction in one hit - and because of that, most of yellow boxes in London are in fact incorrect!
Disabled bays on the streets - if you are disable badge holder and come across a disable bay on a street, say with the house number, you are still allowed to park in there.
It is illegal to paint a house number in such bay, as by law, anybody who's a blue badge holder, is allowed to park in there.
That means, you might have gone through all the effort to have one put outside your house, but if the next door neighbour decides to use it - there is nothing you can do to stop him (unless they do not have the blue badge of course).
There is a lot more, but I got to run...maybe we could use this and others could share their experiences and how to help each other out.
