{"id":65434,"date":"2026-06-18T05:16:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T05:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/65434\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T05:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T05:16:43","slug":"traffic-wardens-in-posh-london-area-failing-to-ticket-cars-by-mosque-uk-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/65434\/","title":{"rendered":"Traffic wardens in posh London area \u2018failing to ticket\u2019 cars by mosque | UK | News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parking Chaos Outside London Central Mosque <\/p>\n

Locals in one of London<\/a>\u2019s most expensive neighbourhoods have accused traffic wardens of failing to do enough to stop parking \u201ccarnage\u201d around a mosque at prayer times. An Express investigation has revealed that traffic wardens, contracted by Transport for London (TFL), are regularly not issuing tickets for vehicles being parked in restricted zones around the London Central Mosque by Regent\u2019s Park.<\/p>\n

One resident who lives near the large mosque said the parking situation has become a \u201cnightmare\u201d. The concerned local, who did not want to be named, claimed there has been a \u201chiatus\u201d in tickets being issued by wardens and that parking has been a \u201cconsistent problem\u201d. They alleged parking restrictions are only “infrequently enforced\u201d, with the red route \u2014 prohibiting stopping entirely or between certain hours \u2014 not enforced since the beginning of this year.<\/p>\n

\"Cars<\/p>\n

One local said there has been a ‘hiatus’ in parking tickets being issued by traffic wardens (Image: -)<\/p>\n

\"Parked<\/p>\n

Cars have been seen parked in restricted zones. (Image: -)<\/p>\n

\u201cOn a couple of occasions, [worshippers attending the mosque] have just parked in the middle of the road because there\u2019s no parking,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

Resident Moiz Siddiqui, 80, said he has scraped his car a couple of times while trying to get past vehicles parked up on his street.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWhat can we do? We just keep on complaining to the people in the mosque that they should discourage people to leave their cars.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"W8media.<\/p>\n

Cars stopped on the red route outside the mosque. (Image: -)<\/p>\n

\"Traffic<\/p>\n

Traffic warden walks past a car parked on the red route. (Image: -)<\/p>\n

When asked if he thinks traffic wardens are doing enough to stop the cars, he said: \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n

A TfL spokesperson said there has been a \u201ctemporary disruption\u201d to parking enforcement due to a change in contractor.<\/p>\n

London Central Mosque said the enforcement of parking restrictions is up to the authorities, but that it understands residents\u2019 concerns and encourages worshippers to comply with all regulations.<\/p>\n

The Express witnessed parking issues around the mosque over three separate Friday afternoons, the busiest time for prayers.<\/p>\n

Traffic wardens were repeatedly seen failing to issue tickets for vehicles stopped on the red route or on double yellow lines.<\/p>\n

Only one ticket was seen being issued by the Express.<\/p>\n

The pleading driver, who argued they had stopped only briefly, was told by the traffic warden they had been there \u201cone minute too long\u201d.<\/p>\n

Double red lines mean vehicles cannot stop at any time, while single lines mean stopping is only allowed at certain times of the day.<\/p>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

More than 5,000 worshippers can fit inside the London Central Mosque’s main prayer hall (Image: -)<\/p>\n

Around the London Central Mosque, the no stopping rule on single red lines is in force between 8am and 7pm Monday to Saturday \u2014 this includes the hours in which the Express was in the area.<\/p>\n

The only exceptions are for Blue Badge holders, taxis and private hire vehicles, which are allowed to stop on single red lines during the restricted hours and double red lines to pick up or set down passengers.<\/p>\n

Guidance published by TfL says drivers doing so to collect or drop off a Blue Badge holder need to have the Blue Badge displayed, and that the vehicle must \u201cmove off as soon as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n

Most cars seen by the Express stopping on double or single red lines did not appear to have a Blue Badge, or be a taxi or private hire vehicle.<\/p>\n

People who attend the mosque admitted to the Express that parking is an issue.<\/p>\n

One person said there are not enough parking spaces at the place of worship, while the surrounding streets are mainly permit-only or on double yellow, single red, or double red lines.<\/p>\n

They said, despite the parking problems, there is no tension between worshippers and the local community.<\/p>\n

London Central Mosque, which can welcome over 5,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall, has more than 50 parking spaces and six disabled parking spaces.<\/p>\n

All are free and are on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/p>\n

\"Car<\/p>\n

The Express only saw one ticket issued over three different Fridays (Image: -)<\/p>\n

Ahmed Ibrahim, who was picking up a disabled family member who has a Blue Badge from the mosque, said he struggled to find a parking spot.<\/p>\n

The 41-year-old said: \u201cTo be honest, this is the first time I’m coming here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t find a place to park here; all I found here is a single red line, which is ok for drop off or picking up.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said more worshippers should take public transport, or the mosque\u2019s car park should be expanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince it\u2019s a central mosque, I think they should make more parking spaces inside the mosque so they don\u2019t make more traffic outside,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Locals have taken measures into their own hands to try to prevent the parking issues.<\/p>\n

Plastic barriers have been installed in front of the gates to one block of flats to prevent drivers from blocking the entrance.<\/p>\n

A sign on the gate reads: \u201cNo Parking. Please do not block gates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo parking\u2026 illegally parked vehicles will be towed,\u201d states another sign on the same street, although the Express witnessed cars still parked in front of it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo parking\u2026 24 hour access required,\u201d another sign read.<\/p>\n

Contractors Marston Holdings, appointed to deliver red route enforcement across London, is working towards a full mobilisation of enforcement operations later this month, the Express has been told.<\/p>\n

\"Barriers<\/p>\n

Barriers have been put up outside one block of flats to stop cars from blocking the entrance (Image: -)<\/p>\n

\"No<\/p>\n

A sign in front of a block of flats reads: ‘No Parking… Please do not block the gates’ (Image: -)<\/p>\n

Traffic wardens have not been instructed not to enforce in the area around the London Central Mosque, it is understood.<\/p>\n

A TfL spokesperson said: \u201cWe are committed to keeping London moving safely and efficiently. Compliance with the parking restrictions on the Transport for London Road Network, which includes many of the busiest roads in the capital, is essential to achieving these aims.<\/p>\n

“While there has been temporary disruption to some parking enforcement operations across London this year due a change of contractor, Marston Holdings have confirmed that they will make regular patrols at this location and issue PCNs if vehicles are parked in contravention of restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n

A London Central Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre spokesperson said: \u201cThe London Central Mosque welcomes thousands of worshippers and visitors each week and remains committed to working constructively with local residents, Transport for London, Westminster City Council, and other stakeholders to promote the rule of law and to be responsible in minimising disruption to the local community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important to note that the mosque does not have any legal authority or control over public roads or surrounding streets. Enforcement of parking restrictions and traffic regulations on public highways remains the responsibility of the relevant authorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mosque management regularly reminds the congregation to comply with all parking and road traffic laws, and to be extra considerate of local residents.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand the concerns, and we do believe that continued engagement and effective enforcement by the relevant agencies are paramount in addressing these challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Westminster City Council source said the authority does \u201cvery strongly\u201d enforce the nearby roads it is responsible for, including extra patrols at peak times.<\/p>\n

The authority has held positive conversations with the mosque about encouraging worshippers to use public transport, they said.<\/p>\n

The London Mayor\u2019s office did not respond to the Express\u2019 request for comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Parking Chaos Outside London Central Mosque Locals in one of London\u2019s most expensive neighbourhoods have accused traffic wardens…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":65435,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[26],"tags":[30862,30859,173,27,30861,30860,1457,1043],"class_list":["post-65434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-london","tag-car-parking","tag-cars-section","tag-england","tag-london","tag-london-central-mosque","tag-regents-park","tag-tfl","tag-transport-for-london"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/116769415783673884","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65434\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}