London Council Approves Parking Crackdown With More CCTV

Barking and Dagenham Drivers Face New Parking Enforcement Plans

Barking and Dagenham Approves New Parking Crackdown With More CCTV and School Streets Drivers in Barking and Dagenham are set to face increased parking enforcement after the council approved a new strategy for managing parking across the borough. The plans include greater use of CCTV cameras, more enforcement activity and the continued rollout of school streets designed to control traffic around schools during busy drop-off and pick-up periods. The council says growing demand for limited kerbside space has made changes necessary, with increased residential development and population growth putting additional pressure on parking in residential areas, town centres and neighbourhoods. Under the new strategy, CCTV enforcement will be expanded at locations including bus routes, banned turns, yellow box junctions and pedestrian crossings. The council also wants enforcement to target motorcycle and moped-related parking contraventions, including inappropriate parking in shopping parades, public spaces and other sensitive locations. School streets are another major part of the plans. These schemes restrict motor vehicles from entering certain streets around participating schools during set periods on weekday mornings and afternoons. There are currently school streets near 13 primary and junior schools across Barking and Dagenham, with the council planning to support their continued development and enforcement. The council says the measures are intended to improve safety and air quality around schools while encouraging more walking and cycling among children and families. Another significant change concerns parking permit zones. The council's strategy includes plans to extend parking permit zones so they cover the entire borough by 2028. The council says this is intended to help residents park closer to their homes while also reducing the number of cars on the road and supporting improvements to health and air quality. However, the proposals have faced opposition during scrutiny, with councillors raising concerns about the effect on residents who depend on older vehicles. The council's parking strategy was endorsed by cabinet members at a meeting on September 15, while a further proposal to pause the rollout was due to be considered at a full council meeting on September 23. For drivers, the changes could mean greater scrutiny of parking behaviour and more restrictions around schools and other sensitive locations. Motorists visiting Barking and Dagenham should pay close attention to signs, road markings and any local parking controls. The changes also highlight the importance of knowing where parking is available before travelling, particularly in areas where restrictions and enforcement are increasing. Drivers can use EveryonesParking to plan parking in advance and avoid wasting time searching for a suitable space when they arrive.