Croydon households could get five parking permits instead of three. Cabinet decides on 14 October, along with park car park charges and a 20mph review.
Croydon households could be allowed five resident parking permits instead of three, under plans going to the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 14 October.
The same report sets out parking controls at parks and recreation grounds, a new annual Blue Badge permit for council car parks, and a review of the borough’s 20mph limits.
The Cabinet report asks Cabinet to approve a “Transport and Parking Strategic Direction” for the borough. It would also hand the review of the council’s 2024 Parking Policy to the Corporate Director of Place. The lead member is Cllr Alasdair Stewart, Cabinet Member for Streets and Enforcement.
What the parking review will look at
The report lists these changes for the review:
- raising the number of resident permits a household can hold from three to five
- removing existing limits on permit availability “where appropriate”
- dedicated motorcycle permits in controlled parking zones
- standardised parking charges across the borough
- a review of diesel surcharges
- changes to paid parking hours in some car parks, to help businesses
- new parking controls where parking is now unrestricted or free, including around some schools
- parking controls at parks and recreation grounds, with three hours free at country parks and recreation grounds
- new or amended evening, overnight and multi-day tariffs where appropriate
- an annual Blue Badge permit for council car parks
The report does not name which streets, schools or parks would get new controls. It gives no new prices either. It says the money detail “will be incorporated in varying decision reports at different times due to consultation”.
The Blue Badge change
On-street Blue Badge concessions would not change. The new annual permit would apply in council car parks only.
The report says it is meant to tackle “misuse and fraudulent use of Blue Badges” there. The council’s equality assessment found no disproportionate impact on disabled drivers. It says the number of parking spaces will not fall as a result of the proposals.
Free parking near restaurants and a Motorists’ Forum
The strategy itself goes further than the parking review. It asks the council to explore “up to three hours’ free or discounted parking” in council car parks near restaurants, evening venues, district centres and shopping parades.
It also commits to:
- a Motorists’ Forum, a regular meeting where drivers, tradespeople, carers and businesses can raise problems
- “dedicated pothole patrols”
- a full Croydon Transport Strategy, drafted by June 2027
- a night-time economy strategy
The Executive Mayor’s introduction says “Motorists deserve a fair deal” and describes the 20mph review as “evidence-led”.
What happens to 20mph limits
No 20mph limit changes on Wednesday. The strategy’s timetable puts consultation on “the removal of 20mph limits where supported by evidence” in July to September 2027.
Before then, the council plans an evidence review from October to December 2026 and engagement with residents and businesses from January to March 2027.
What it means for you
Nothing changes on the street straight away. Approving the framework “does not itself introduce operational changes or parking controls”, the report says.
How each change happens depends on what it is:
- price changes only can be made by a notice of variation, with no requirement to consult
- new controls, permit rules or hours need a change to a traffic order, with a 21-day statutory consultation
So a new tariff could appear with only a public notice, while new controls near your home or your child’s school should come with a consultation you can respond to. The report also notes that parking charges “must not be set for the purpose, whether primary or secondary, of raising revenue”.
If your household runs three cars, the third already costs a £171 surcharge on renewal. Our parking in Croydon page has today’s permit prices and car park tariffs. The council’s separate fees and charges report, due in December, carries the parking charge rises behind its draft budget; see our 2027/28 budget story.
We will update this story with the Cabinet decision.
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