London Borough of Barnet (25 031 068)
Category : Transport and highways > Parking and other penalties
Decision : Closed after initial enquiries
Decision date : 16 Jul 2026
The Ombudsman's final decision:
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to refuse Mr X’s request to extend double yellow lines. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
The complaint
- Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to refuse his request to extend double yellow lines. He says this affects him being able to safely get onto his road. Mr X wants the Council to approve this request.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
- We investigate complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or continue an investigation if we decide there is not enough evidence of fault to justify investigating. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6), as amended, section 34(B))
How I considered this complaint
- I considered information provided by the complainant and the Council.
- I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
- The Council considered Mr X’s request and acknowledged parking pressures on the road. It decided extending the double yellow lines was unlikely to resolve the problem, as it would probably displace parking to nearby streets. It considered a controlled parking zone would be a more appropriate way to manage parking across the wider area. The Council told Mr X it would add this to its programme if residents submitted a petition showing support for a controlled parking zone.
- There is insufficient evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making. It considered Mr X’s request, explained why it did not consider extending the double yellow lines would resolve the issue, and identified a controlled parking zone as a possible alternative. It is open to Mr X and other residents to pursue that option by submitting a petition to the Council.
Final decision
- We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman