Motorists are being reminded that they need to pay special attention over the bank holiday weekend if they don’t want to get a parking ticket.

Drivers are likely to get a ticket if they park their vehicle on a yellow line on tomorrow’s (Friday) Royal Wedding bank holiday and also Monday’s May Day bank holiday.

Although both days are bank holidays, as the law stands, yellow line restrictions remain in force – mainly for safety reasons.

On bank holidays motorists can park for free for as long as they like in parking bays in controlled parking zones.

Enforcement action is also likely against vehicles that obstruct driveways and those that park unlawfully in specialist bays such as doctors' bays and mandatory disabled bays.

It is also illegal to park in front of dropped kerbs. These facilities - which are found on virtually every street corner - ensure that disabled pedestrians and parents with pushchairs can safely cross the road. As well as receiving a penalty notice, vehicles that park in these locations could also be towed away.

 
Technical services director Tony McDonald said:
"The vast majority of yellow line restrictions - especially at places like street corners - remain in force on bank holidays.  

"The question drivers must ask themselves is 'would this yellow line restriction be in force on any other Friday or Monday?' If the answer is yes then they shouldn't park there.
 

"Generally speaking drivers can check what the rules are for each specific yellow line by looking at the small yellow signs that are attached to adjacent lamposts. These will tell you the days of the week and the hours of the day when the restrictions are in force.  If the yellow sign says that parking is outlawed Monday to Friday, then that will include all bank holidays that fall on those days."

April 28, 2011