Changes to short-stay free parking rolling out
Changes to free parking across the borough’s 7 towns are rolling out, in a bid to make it easier for people to park, pop in, and support local businesses.
Ealing Council is introducing a simplified short-stay parking system, ‘stop and shop+’. This will offer 30 minutes of free parking, along with the flexibility to pay and stay for longer.
What is changing?
From August to November 2025, the current ‘stop and shop’ parking spaces will become stop and shop+. This will happen across the borough on a phased basis. Details of where and when the changes will occur will be shared on this page as the work progresses.
To claim your free half hour, you need to either:
- register your parking session using the PayByPhone app
- call PayByPhone on 0330 400 7275
- by SMS text message (when your phone number has been registered)
- visit a local PayPoint
PayPoint is an in-store face-to-face payment service to register for your free 30-minutes of parking, or pay for any extended periods of parking you need. All that is needed is the PaybyPhone location code for where you plan to park, and your vehicle registration number. The PayByPhone location code will be on the signs at every parking location in the borough.
To find your nearest PayPoint store, you can:
- view a map of all PayPoint stores
- send the word CASH via SMS to 60075 along with the PayByPhone location of where you are parked and you will receive a reply with details of your 2 nearest PayPoint stores
- look out for stores bearing the PayPoint signage
If you need more time, you can extend your stay for up to 2 hours at the standard hourly rate.
Why the change?
The old system had varying time limits across the borough, which led to confusion - and in some cases, misuse. Stop and shop+ aims to keep things simple, fair, and consistent. It will also allow for more residents to use the bays for quick visits.
When and where?
New signs displaying the revised parking restrictions will start appearing on a town-by-town basis from August to November, with digital enforcement following shortly after.
What do I need to do?
When they come into effect, please make sure you:
- check parking restriction details on signs
- register your free 30-minute session via the PayByPhone app, phone, or at a PayPoint store
- stay longer if needed—just pay the standard rate
To help everyone adjust, no fines will be issued during the first 2 weeks in every new location, from when the new signs go in.
Blue Badge holders remain exempt from these changes.
Your views
The council held a 21-day statutory consultation to hear from residents and businesses, working closely with local Business Improvement Districts and the High Streets Task Force.
Rollout schedule
The rollout of Stop and Shop+ will be introduced in a phased approach, starting in mid-August. We will be updating this page with details of each location as they go live.
This will include:
- the start date for that area
- the anticipated completion date
- and the 2-week grace period during which no fines will be issued