Report a parking issue

If there are no parking restrictions, as prescribed by clear lines and signs, we will not investigate reports of vehicles parked:

across a dropped kerb to private driveway (unless it completely obstructs access to the public highway from the private property)
on a grass verge (you should report this online to Essex Highways, part of Essex County Council)
as to cause an obstruction or a hazard, on a footway (pavement) or on or opposite a junction (you should report this online to Essex Police or by calling 101)
on private property (you should report this to the land owner, landlord, developer or private parking company)

If you observe a vehicle parked in contravention of a parking restriction, as prescribed by clear lines and signs, you can report this to us.

We do not operate an emergency response service. Generally, reports are for the purpose of reporting substantial long-term parking issues, not one-off contraventions. However, we will endeavour to attend to all reports as quickly as is possible.

Before you report this to us, you should consider the following information and guidance.

Have you only just observed the vehicle?

We do have active officers out on patrols and one of them will probably observe the vehicle at some point during normal patrols.

However, if you notice the vehicle parked in the same position at a later time without a parking fine, you should report this to us.

Does the vehicle already have a parking fine attached to it?

If so, then we will already be aware of this. Some vehicles that receive multiple parking fines may be abandoned and/or known to Essex Police. You do not need to report this to us.

Have you reported the issue/vehicle to us before?

If so, you do not need to report this to us again as we will already have attended and will be aware. Our officers would have assessed the matter and reported back when they first attended so that they can organise further enforcement.

If the issue continues after we first attend, it does not mean we will not return. We monitor reports on a regular basis and provide additional resources to try and resolve ongoing issues. However, some parking issues will remain ongoing and may not be resolved, but these are managed over long periods of time.

Is the vehicle on a section of highway that is not covered by a parking restriction?

We can only enforce against vehicles parked on the highway that is covered by a restriction, as prescribed by clear lines and signs.

We cannot enforce this if the section of highway is not covered by a parking restriction and:

the vehicle is parked too close to or opposite a junction
the vehicle is parked as to cause an obstruction or a hazard

You should report this online to Essex Police or by calling 101.

Is the vehicle parked on a footway?

You should check that the vehicle is fully obstructing the footway and that there is a yellow line in the roadway adjacent to the footway. If so, you should report this to us.

If the roadway adjacent to the footway does not have a yellow line, then we cannot enforce this. You should report this online to Essex Police or by calling 101.

Is the vehicle parked on a grass verge?

You should check that there is a yellow line in the roadway adjacent to the grass verge. If so, you should report this to us.

If the roadway adjacent to the grass verge does not have a yellow line, then we cannot enforce this. You should report this online to Essex Police or by calling 101.

Is the vehicle parked on private land?

We can only enforce against vehicles parked on the public highway. If the road is private, then we cannot enforce this.

You can send us a report if you have read everything and are sure that the vehicle is parked in contravention of a restriction.

To report a parking issue, you will need:

your name and contact details (we will not log anonymous reports)
the location of the vehicle or issue (you should include house names or numbers and landmarks)
details of the vehicle (you should include the registration number, make, model and colour)
the restriction you believe is being contravened
any other information that you feel may be relevant

Once we receive your report, we will:

acknowledge your report
visit the location to investigate the report as soon as possible (we do not operate an emergency response service)
send a response, where possible, updating you on any action taken

We do not send responses to all reports. We will only do this during less busy periods and if the report has not been sent to us previously.

Report now