Parking in Catford: Car Parks, Charges, Permits and Zones
Where the council car parks are in Catford, how emissions-based charges work, which controlled parking zones cover Rushey Green and Hither Green, and how Catford Broadway's pedestrian zone works.
Two Lewisham Council car parks serve Catford town centre: Thomas Lane with 61 spaces and the Holbeach Road multi-storey with 672 spaces. Both are open Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm with a maximum stay of 10.5 hours. The council says Thomas Lane is due to close permanently in early 2027, so check its page.
Which council car parks serve Catford town centre?
Two Lewisham Council car parks are the ones to know. Both appear on the council's car parks page.
- Thomas Lane: 61 spaces including six disabled bays, open Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm, with a maximum stay of 10.5 hours. It sits behind Catford Broadway.
- Holbeach Road: a multi-storey with 672 spaces including 15 disabled bays, open Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm, with a maximum stay of 10.5 hours.
Outside the chargeable hours, the council says parking in its car parks is free.
Is Thomas Lane car park closing?
According to the council's Thomas Lane Yard page, Thomas Lane car park is due to close permanently in early 2027 as part of a redevelopment, with demolition and enabling works beginning in late 2026. The council points to Holbeach Road as the alternative for people displaced by the closure. The page says the council is reviewing the impact on disabled people, older residents and families through an Equality Impact Assessment. Dates can move, so check the page before relying on Thomas Lane.
How much does it cost?
Lewisham uses emissions-based pay-and-display charges. The council's pay and display page sets out bands from Band 0 (electric only) to Band 5 (201 g/km CO2 and above). For on-street bays in controlled parking zones outside town centres, the published hourly rates are £1.74 (Band 0), £2.32 (Band 1), £2.78 (Band 2), £3.35 (Band 3), £3.83 (Band 4) and £4.64 (Band 5). Diesel Euro 6 non-compliant vehicles pay more, and town centre rates are roughly 20% higher. Rushey Green East is one of the on-street areas the council lists as a town centre. Car park charges vary by site, so read the tariff on the council's car parks page and at the machine. These figures are as published at the time of writing and the council can change them.
Short stays are cashless. You can pay with the PayByPhone app using the location code on the signs, by phone or by text, and the council also lists PayPoint shops for cash top-ups. The car parks page warns that QR code and phone number payment scams have been reported, so use the app with the council's location codes rather than a code on a sticker.
What are the controlled parking zones around Catford?
The council's CPZ operating times table lists these zones for the area:
- Zone K (Catford West): Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm.
- Zones E, L and R (Rushey Green West, East and South): Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm. Milford Towers and Rushey Green West share zone MT/E on the same hours.
- Zone H (Hither Green West): Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm.
- Zone P (Hither Green East): Monday to Friday, 10am to 12 noon.
No dedicated zone was listed for Bellingham in the table when we checked. The council notes that double yellow lines are always enforceable, whatever the zone hours. Check the street signs on your own road, because the signs are what you are enforced against.
How do I get a parking permit?
Apply or renew through the council's online system at parkingpermits.lewisham.gov.uk, linked from the permits page. Permit types listed include resident, disabled resident (needing a Lewisham-issued Blue Badge), visitor, carer (issued free), business, charity business and housing estate permits. For permit questions the council lists 020 8787 5397.
What is the Catford Broadway pedestrian zone?
Catford Broadway is a pedestrian zone, and only vehicles with an exemption permit can enter. Under the council's exemption permits page, residents who live in the zone can register up to five vehicles and may enter at any time, using two pieces of proof of address. Businesses on the Broadway can have deliveries only before 10am and after 4pm, and market traders may load and unload before 10am and after 4pm. Permit enquiries go to Lewisham Parking Permits on 020 8787 5397 (option 3), Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
What about a parking ticket?
You can pay, view or challenge a penalty charge notice at the council's PCN portal, linked from its parking page. Follow the deadlines printed on the notice.
Frequently asked questions
- What car parks are there in Catford?
- The council lists Thomas Lane, with 61 spaces including six disabled bays, and Holbeach Road, a multi-storey with 672 spaces including 15 disabled bays. Both are open Monday to Saturday 8am to 6.30pm.
- Is Thomas Lane car park closing?
- According to the council's Thomas Lane Yard page, the car park is due to close permanently in early 2027 as part of a redevelopment, with demolition and enabling works beginning in late 2026. The council points to Holbeach Road as the alternative.
- Is parking free in Catford car parks outside charging hours?
- Yes. The council says parking in its car parks is free outside the chargeable hours.
- How much is on-street parking in Lewisham?
- Lewisham uses emissions-based charges. For on-street bays in controlled parking zones outside town centres, the published hourly rates range from £1.74 for Band 0 (electric only) to £4.64 for Band 5. Town centre rates are roughly 20% higher.
- How do I pay for parking in Catford?
- Short stays are cashless. You can pay with the PayByPhone app using the location code on the signs, by phone or by text, and the council also lists PayPoint shops for cash top-ups.
- Can I drive on Catford Broadway?
- Catford Broadway is a pedestrian zone, and only vehicles with an exemption permit can enter. Residents who live in the zone can register up to five vehicles, and businesses can have deliveries only before 10am and after 4pm.
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