Waltham Forest Council is considering making permanent changes to the borough's Pay to Park (P2P) scheme, initially implemented through an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) on 1 April 2025. The ETMO was introduced to support active travel and climate goals, address inconsistent enforcement, manage demand, and improve vehicle turnover by addressing the impacts of free parking periods.
The proposed changes, which are the subject of an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA), include extending P2P hours to 8am - 6:30pm, Monday to Saturday across the borough, removing the 15-minute free parking period, and removing the 1-hour free parking period between 1pm and 2pm. These changes could disproportionately affect residents with limited financial means.
The EqIA considered the potential impacts on groups with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. While acknowledging potential impacts on some residents and visitors, particularly those with limited financial means, the Equality Impact Assessment also highlights potential positive benefits, such as improved parking availability, reduced congestion, and environmental benefits. The scheme includes mitigations to minimise adverse effects. Blue Badge holders will continue to park for free, and households within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) where one or more residents are aged 60 and over will still be entitled to 90 hours of visitor permits for free.
The council conducted a public consultation between 7 October and 28 October 2024, receiving over 5,000 responses. Concerns were raised about the impact on businesses, especially in areas like Chingford and Station Road, and the additional costs for short stops. The council responded by stating 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 Objection Report references TfL research and the Living Streets 'Pedestrian Pound Report' to support this claim, suggesting that shoppers arriving by foot, bike, or public transport tend to spend more than those arriving by car.
Surveys conducted before and during the ETMO trial period indicated that the changes had increased turnover of vehicles in P2P bays and reduced the number of vehicles parked for extended periods. Reports from the PaybyPhone system showed a decrease in the number of vehicles paying to park per hour since the implementation of the ETMO, from 187 to 148 on average across the borough.
The report states that Any proposed changes will be self-funding and any surplus revenue will be used in accordance with guidance and legislation.
Revenue from parking charges is governed by legislation and can only be spent on road repairs/improvements, transport infrastructure schemes, or to fund transport-related activities such as the Freedom Pass.
The Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Environment, in consultation with Councillor Clyde Loakes, has been recommended to consider the objections received and the impact of the ETMO, and to make the changes permanent through a Permanent Traffic Management Order. Parking Services at Waltham Forest Council remains the lead department for the Equality Impact Assessment and the EqIA will be updated to reflect findings and feedback gathered during the experimental phase.
