Wherever possible please use cashless provider Paybyphone.

 We are responsible for all parking restrictions across the borough and employ Civil Enforcement Officers to enforce the rules.

Our approach is to give priority to the local parking needs of residents, shoppers and local business, while recognising that parking must also be available for people working in our borough.

Our restrictions aim to:

  • Reduce the amount of illegal and inconsiderate parking, to the benefit of other pedestrians and road users
  • Improve road safety
  • Improve the street environment
  • Reduce congestion
  • Ensures better availability and increase turnover of disabled and short-term parking spaces in town centres, allowing more people to park.

 

Where can you park?

You are responsible for making sure that your vehicle is parked properly and is not causing an obstruction.

If you are in any doubt about the parking restrictions in operation on any street, check the signs and road markings before you park.

Outside the shops in Borehamwood, Potters Bar and Radlett there are pay and display machines. The first 30 minutes parking is free BUT you must still take and display a ticket, even if only stopping for a few minutes, as this will show the time you arrived.

Penalty charge notices

If you fail to comply with the parking restrictions, or do not take a ticket from the ticket machines, you will be served with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Motorcycles

Motorcycles are able to park for free within all of Hertsmere's pay and display car parks ( a ticket is not required). A ticket is not required when parking within the pay and display bays on-street however, motorcycles are still subject to the time limits that are imposed (please check the restriction plates on-street for time limits).

Video Badges

Our Civil Enforcement Officers are now wearing video cameras on their uniform to help improve their personal safety, reduce crime and save us time and money when dealing with complaints and appeals.

Unfortunately, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) are too often subject to verbal and physical abuse so the main purpose of the cameras is to act as a visible deterrent to members of the public who may behave in a threatening way. Much like CCTV, the recordings will provide evidence of a situation and help clear up any disputes and challenges that are made against tickets.

The brightly-coloured ‘video badges’ are worn on the chest and will be turned on by an officer to record both visual and audio when they issue a ticket or speak to a member of the public. It is clearly stated on the device that recording is in process so people are aware.

With regard to data protection, the video footage is operated in accordance with strict guidelines in place for CCTV recording. Each frame is stamped with the date and time, held securely for a set time and is only used in appeal cases or if requested by the police. The video footage is only retained for a maximum of six months

10-Minute Grace Period

As of the 6 April 2015 the law requires that a penalty charge notice (PCN) must not be issued to a vehicle which has stayed parked in a designated parking place on or off street (council pay and display car parks) beyond the permitted parking period for a period of time not exceeding 10 minutes.

The exact wording in the Statutory Instrument is as follows:

“From 6 April 2015, the law requires that a penalty charge must not be issued to a vehicle which has stayed parked in a parking place on a road or in a local authority car park beyond the permitted parking period for a period of time not exceeding 10 minutes. The grace period applies to on-street and off-street parking places provided under traffic orders, whether the period of parking is paid for or free. Any penalty charge issued before expiry of the 10-minute grace period would be illegal, unless the vehicle itself is parked unlawfully (e.g. where the motorist has not paid any required parking fee or displayed a parking ticket where required).

What does this mean?

If a vehicle is parked in a restricted free or pay and display parking bay both on and off street and is still parked beyond the expiry of the ticket, obtained from the machine or beyond the allotted free time, a grace period of 10 minutes must be applied. The observation period must not commence until 11 minutes after the expired time and a penalty charge notice must not be issued until the 11 minutes has passed.

Where does this apply?

Designated parking places whether pay and display or free:

  • Time restricted on-street free parking bays
  • Pay and display on-street parking bays
  • Pay and display car parks

 

Where does this NOT apply?

The 10-minute grace period does not apply where a road has a restriction (e.g. single yellow line) or prohibition (e.g. double yellow line) which is not a 'designated' parking place either during - or outside of - the period of the restriction or prohibition and where no payment has been made (where required).