Parking on verges, pavements and dropped kerbs would be banned on parts of 74 Panshanger roads, with double yellows on 80. Objections close on 12 November.

Drivers in Panshanger could be fined for parking on grass verges, pavements and dropped kerbs under plans published by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. The ban would cover parts of 74 roads across the estate.

The council is also proposing double yellow lines on parts of 80 roads, mostly at junctions. Objections must reach the council in writing by Thursday 12 November.

The proposals were advertised on 21 October. Residents should have had a letter, dated 16 October, telling them the plans were coming. (Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Panshanger parking consultation)

What is proposed

There are three parts to the scheme:

  • A verge and footway parking ban on parts of 74 roads. It would stop any vehicle waiting with two or more wheels on a verge, a pavement or a vehicle crossover, at any time.
  • Double yellow lines on parts of 80 roads. The council’s letter says they are for junctions and for roads “where access issues were highlighted”.
  • A single yellow line on part of Sylvan Way, next to Moneyhole Park, in force on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm only.

All but eight roads appear in both lists. Aspen Way, Bericot Way, Breakmead, Dodwood, Elizabeth Close, Great Break and Holwell Hyde would get double yellow lines but no verge ban. Little Ganett would get the verge ban but no double yellows.

The exact stretches are only on the council’s map plans, which come in six large PDFs. “Parts of” a road can mean a few metres at a junction or most of its length, so check the plan for your own street before you decide whether to object. (Panshanger public notice documents, October 2026)

The dropped kerb is included

The verge ban covers vehicle crossovers, the dropped kerb between the road and a driveway, where that crossover is public highway. That is the part most likely to catch residents out.

The draft order lets a vehicle stop on a crossover only for as long as it takes:

  • to load or unload goods for the house next to it
  • for a passenger to get in or out, with their luggage
  • to deliver or collect post, in a marked postal vehicle
  • to move furniture in or out

A Blue Badge holder showing a badge and a parking disc could wait on a crossover for up to three hours, with no return within an hour.

Emergency vehicles, road and utility works, and anyone directed by a police officer or a council enforcement officer are also exempt. (Draft verge and footway order)

Why the council wants it

The council’s statement of reasons says parking on verges and footways “is an unnecessary obstruction”. It says it inconveniences other road users and damages the verge and the services underneath.

Bylaws already ban driving over grass verges. But the statement says current law does not let parking enforcement officers enforce them. A verge and footway order would let the council issue fines.

The council says the scheme will:

  • cut inappropriate or inconsiderate parking
  • improve road safety
  • help keep and improve the look of the area

For the double yellow lines it adds reducing congestion. (Statement of reasons, verge and footway order; statement of reasons, yellow lines)

How it got here

Panshanger went on the council’s 2024 to 2026 parking work programme after residents raised parking concerns.

  • May to 4 July 2025: a survey letter went to residents.
  • November to 19 December 2025: an “ideas letter” set out possible changes for feedback.
  • 21 October 2026: the formal proposals were advertised.
  • 12 November 2026: objections and written support close.

Comments sent at the survey or ideas stage do not count as objections. The council says they were used to shape the proposals, so anyone who wrote in before needs to write again.

What happens next

Objections and letters of support will go to a future meeting of the council’s Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel, with officers’ comments and recommendations. No date has been set. The council says it will publish the meeting date on its Panshanger page and write to residents once a decision is made.

It has happened this way elsewhere in the town. In Hollybush, restrictions approved by the panel on 24 June 2026 started on 14 September. Objections were received in Welwyn West and Howlands South earlier this year, and both are still waiting for a decision. (Parking Services Works Programme, updated 21 October 2026)

Sherrards and Howlands North, the same day

Two other Welwyn Garden City schemes were advertised on 21 October, with the same 12 November deadline:

  • Sherrards: the existing verge and footway ban would be removed from parts of Cherry Croft, Corn Mead, Greenfield, Oakdale, Summer Dale, Tilecroft and Warren Dale. New double yellow lines are proposed in parts of Knightsfield, Monks Rise and Pentley Park.
  • Howlands North: the verge boundary maps for Cole Green Lane, Heronswood Road and Sweet Briar would be redrawn to match the public highway boundary. One junction in Sweet Briar would get double yellow lines.

Both amend orders made in 2025. Both notices were published in the Welwyn Hatfield Times and are on the Public Notice Portal (Howlands North).

What it means for you

  • Check the map for your street. The road list says “parts of”, and only the plans PANSVFP1 to 3 (verges) and PANSNW1 to 3 (lines) show which parts.
  • Think about your driveway. If you park across your own dropped kerb, or half on the pavement outside your house, that would become a fineable offence on the affected stretches.
  • Object or support in writing by 12 November. Email parkingservices@welhat.gov.uk or write to Parking Services, Council Offices, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AE. Give your full name, postal address and your reasons.
  • Write again even if you replied before. Earlier survey replies are not counted.
  • Questions: Parking Services on 01707 357000.

Town-wide parking charges, permits and the existing verge rules are on our parking in Welwyn Garden City page.

Sources