Advantages and disadvantages of a resident parking scheme

Advantages 

• Residents having no off-street parking facility would have a reasonable opportunity to park close to their homes. Resident parking schemes do not offer any guarantees of a parking space and certainly not a parking space in front of the resident’s own home.
• The amenity of the area would be improved with vehicles being parked in a more orderly fashion.
• A scheme may have benefits from a social, community safety, housing or planning policy aspect.
• Shared use bays provide for short term visitors without the need for complex visitor permit administration systems.
• A scheme can encourage the use of alternative modes of transport.
• They may reduce traffic flows on residential streets.
• The reduction in the number of vehicles driving around an area searching for a parking place can improve local air quality.
• A scheme can improve road safety by reducing the number of vehicles using an area and also the number parked in unsuitable locations. 

Disadvantages 

• Schemes do not agree with the primary role of the highway which is to ensure passage and re-passage.
• A resident parking scheme in one area might create or worsen parking problems in adjacent areas.
• Parking capacity for residents and visitors could at times be inadequate.
• A scheme could inhibit activities of commercial and other non-residential activities within the zone, especially retail areas.
• During restricted hours, the street may be lightly parked possibly leading to an accusation that the “parking stock” is being under used.
• By formalising the parking layout a net loss of spaces may result when turning movements and visibility at junctions are protected by new parking prohibitions.
• A scheme may limit the residents’ freedom to keep unlimited numbers of taxed vehicles on street.
• Permits to park in the area are charged to the residents within the zone area.