Waltham Forest Council is set to permanently implement changes to its Pay to Park (P2P) scheme, extending hours and removing free parking periods across the borough. The decision, made at an Executive Decision meeting on Monday 01 December 2025, follows a trial period and a public consultation that generated over 5,000 responses. The cost to make the ETMO permanent is expected to be under £5,000 and will be funded by Parking Services. Any proposed changes will be self-funding and any surplus revenue will be used in accordance with guidance and legislation.

The changes, which have been in effect as an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) since 1 April 2025, include:

  • Extending P2P hours to 8am - 6:30pm, Monday to Saturday.
  • Removing the 15-minute free parking period.
  • Removing the 1-hour free parking period between 1pm and 2pm.

The council's decision aims to encourage more active and sustainable travel, reduce congestion, and align Waltham Forest's parking restrictions with those of most other London boroughs, according to a report prepared for Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader (Climate and Air Quality). The council is measuring the success of the scheme by looking at reports from the PaybyPhone systems, which show that there has been a reduction in the number of vehicles paying to park per hour since the implementation of the ETMO. The reports show a decrease from 187 transactions per hour to 148 per hour on average, borough-wide. Surveys carried out through the first six months of the ETMO also show an increase in the turnover of vehicles in P2P bays as well as a reduction in the number of vehicles staying in bays for extended periods of time, particularly during the previous free or unrestricted periods.

Surveys conducted before and during the ETMO trial period indicated that the changes have increased turnover of vehicles in P2P bays and reduced the number of vehicles parked for extended periods. The Public Reports Pack stated that surveys in December 2024 showed that approximately 39% of vehicles parked for the entire one-hour free period, whereas recent surveys showed this figure as approximately 6%. Data from the initial P2P consultation showed that 56% of respondents said they used their vehicle several times a week or daily, with 19% saying they used their vehicle multiple times per day. The council considered this as confirmation that the previous P2P model, and particularly the free periods, actively encouraged vehicle usage, even amongst those who confirmed they use or are able to use active and sustainable travel modes.

The council received 43 responses during the six-month statutory consultation period for the ETMO, with three respondents formally objecting. Concerns were raised about the impact on businesses, particularly in areas like Chingford and Station Road, and the additional costs for short stops. The Objection Report details these concerns and the council's responses.

In response to business concerns, the report stated that Business trade is generated from people using a variety of travel options including, walking, cycling and public transport, and not just by car. The report references TfL research (Walking and cycling: the economic benefits) and the Living Streets 'Pedestrian Pound Report' (Pedestrian Pound) to support the claim that shoppers arriving by foot, bike, or public transport tend to spend more than those arriving by car.

An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) was conducted to assess the potential impact of the changes on groups with protected characteristics. The EqIA concluded that while the changes may impact some residents and visitors, particularly those with limited financial means, the scheme includes mitigations. These mitigations include loading/unloading allowances and a 10-minute grace period for those who have paid to park or at the start of a restriction period. Blue Badge holders will continue to park for free, households within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) where one or more residents are aged 60 and over will continue to be entitled to 90 hours of visitor permits for free, and the council will continue to give free permits to carers in receipt of DWP Carers Allowance.

The Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Environment, in consultation with Councillor Clyde Loakes, was recommended to make the changes permanent through a Permanent Traffic Management Order, after considering the objections and the impact of the ETMO.