In response to Anya Rowson’s letter about parking at Earlsfield station (Station parking chaos, February 14) I am happy to clarify that vehicles are allowed to stop on waiting and loading restrictions – indicated by yellow lines and yellow kerb “blips” – or in any parking bay for as long as necessary for a person and their luggage to get in or out. 

The place that is most convenient and nearest to the station is the length of double yellow lines in Magdalen Road nearest its junction with Garratt Lane.  But although vehicles are exempt from waiting, loading and parking bay restrictions while a passenger is being dropped-off or picked up, if you need to wait to pick up a passenger, you must be parked legally.  Pay and display parking is available in Magdalen Road and other side roads next to Earlsfield station. 

A payment of 20p will buy just over five minutes of parking time in these bays, although if the vehicle is being used to carry a disabled passenger and a blue badge is displayed, no payment or time limit applies. Earlsfield station and the surrounding area is undergoing ongoing accessibility improvements. We cannot put in more passenger drop-off or pick-up opportunities near the station entrance as the area outside is an important transport interchange for pedestrians and buses, and a busy through-route for traffic. 

Coun Russell King
Cabinet member for transport
Wandsworth Council