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Moving & Removals

Moving house in London is never a simple task. With the hustle and bustle of the city, there’s always plenty to consider – from finding a trustworthy removals company to ensuring you have enough parking space for your move. One way to make sure you don’t run into any problems on moving day is by arranging for a parking suspension or dispensation from your local council. But what’s the difference between them, and how do you go about getting one? In this blog post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about parking suspensions and dispensations so that your removal can go as smoothly as possible.

What is a Parking Suspension?

A parking suspension is when your local council agrees to suspend parking restrictions on a specific street or section of street for a set period of time. The advantage of parking suspensions arranged through your local borough is that the council will put up warning signs of blocked spaces a couple of days before the move to inform residents.

If on the day of your move, the suspended bays are blocked or used by another resident or company, the local borough will come and move them via a pickup truck. It’s a much safer bet to ensure there is no disruption during your removal in London.

What is a Parking Dispensation (or Permit)?

A parking dispensation is when your local council agrees to allow you to park in an area where normally there would be restrictions (for example, on yellow lines). Dispensations are usually only granted for specific reasons (i.e. removals). However, unlike parking suspensions, you do not have the right to a parking spot. There is also the option to use a permit, if you already have one. Again, this does not give a removals company the right to a specific parking spot and you will need to reserve suitable space for the removal vans with neighbours or use dustbins with notes on them that the space has been reserved for removals. We don’t typically recommend this method.

Suspension or Dispensation

At South London Movers, we always ask for suspensions to be made with the local borough approximately 10 working days in advance of your removals. Shorter notice is possible, but there would be a surcharge with your local borough. Suspensions are definitely the safest option and ensure there won’t be interruptions with your removal that can add time to the job which would incur additional costs.

How much parking space do I need for my removal?

Typically, a 3.5 ton van requires two parking bays or 10 meters of parking area to be suspended. If your move requires two 3.5 ton vans then you can unusually fit the vans into 3 parking bays or approximately 15 meters total. Feel free to contact us for advice prior to booking your parking suspension and we’ll give you the best advice on size requirements.

How Do I Arrange a Parking Suspension or Dispensation?

If you need to arrange a parking suspension or dispensation, you’ll need to contact your local council in advance and submit an application. You’ll usually need to provide enough notice and you may be required to pay a fee. Once your application has been processed, you’ll be given confirmation of your suspension or dispensation and instructions on how to proceed. If you book your removal with South London Movers, our team can help confirm these details at the quoting stage and make all arrangements for a small surcharge.

Conclusion

To conclude, parking suspensions or dispensations can be beneficial for those who are planning a move and need to secure enough space for their removal vans. It is best to contact your local council in advance with the necessary paperwork and payment so that you don’t run into any issues on moving day. If you book your removals service through South London Movers, we have experienced staff members who will help arrange the parking suspension as well as provide advice on size requirements if you’re booking it yourself.

Looking for a removal company in London? Contact the friendly and professional team at South London Movers today. We’re London’s finest removals company with over 20 years of experience. We pride ourselves on delivering outstanding service and ensuring all the pieces of your removal go smoothly. From the parking suspension, to packing, loading, and delivery. Reach us today for a free quote.