Special Access Schemes

Special access schemes are for people who have particular mobility difficulties. permit allows them to drive and park their vehicles in certain pedestrian areas in Nottinghamshire.  

Apply for a special access permit

Alternative ways to apply

Download and print a special access permit application form [PDF] 

Request a paper application through the post: 0115 8040314 

Return completed applications and supporting evidence to: 

Central Processing Unit - Special Access Permits 
PO Box 10282 
Nottinghamshire 
NG17 0DX 

You are entitled to a permit if you receive any of the following as a result of a disability:

  • The higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 12 points or more on the Mobility Section
  • Motability
  • War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.

If you are over 65 years old and have severe difficulty in walking you may also qualify. We will ask for further medical information to support your application.

A special access permit is valid for all special access schemes in Nottinghamshire.

View a list of all special access schemes in Nottinghamshire.

You must clearly display the permit on the nearside window (the window nearest the kerb) whenever you are in the pedestrian area. This includes when you first enter. You should remove it at all other times.

On the back of each permit is a photograph of the holder. You must show this if asked by a Traffic Warden, Police Officer or Civil Enforcement Officer.

If you have a special access permit, you can park in the pedestrian area for a maximum of three hours. 

In pedestrian zone

When in a pedestrian zone:

  • pedestrians have right of way
  • only park in the pedestrian area if absolutely necessary
  • permit holders may park for a maximum of three hours
  • never park where it would cause an obstruction or danger to pedestrians
  • drive slowly
  • watch out - especially for children.   

Misuse of the permit

The following would all be instances of misuse of the permit:

  • allowing other people to use the permit
  • remaining in the vehicle parked in a pedestrian zone, while your driver or other passenger is, for example, shopping
  • using a permit which has expired.

The permit is provided free of charge and can be withdrawn by us at any time.

Blue badge scheme

Parking benefits provided by the blue badge scheme are not affected by this scheme. A special access permit cannot be used in place of a blue badge or vice versa.

If you have a blue badge, but not a special access permit, you are not allowed to enter these pedestrian areas, except where specified. However parking for blue badge holders will generally be found in close proximity to these areas.

Arnold town centre

  • Front Street, Market Place
    • Special Access Permit holders at any time
    • Blue badge holders - before 10am or after 4pm Monday to Saturday - all day Sunday

Beeston town centre

  • High Road
    • Special Access Permit holders only.

Mansfield town centre

  • Church Street (Market Place - White Hart Street)
    • Special Access Permit holders only on Sunday to Wednesday for Westgate, Stockwell Gate, Leeming Street and Church Street.
    • No access Thursday to Saturday (market stalls - park in marked spaces only)
    • .
  • Leeming Street (Clumber Street - Market Place)
  • Queen Street
    • Blue badge holders (at any time). Park in marked spaces only
  • Stockwell Gate (Rosemary Street - Queen Street)
  • Westgate (Street John Street - Regent Street)
  • Service Area D (behind Four Seasons Centre near Debenhams)
    • No blue badge or Special Access Permit parking.

Newark town centre

  • Bridge Street - whole length
  • Carter Gate - Lombard Street to Barnby Gate (marked spaces only)
    • Special Access Permit holders only. Parking in these areas only.
  • Market Place (EaStreet side) - Bridge Street to White Hart Yard.
  • Stodman Street - Middle Gate to Market Place

Retford town centre

  • Carolgate
    • Special Access Permit holders only.

West Bridgford town centre

  • Central Avenue - Tudor Square to Bridgford Road Junction.
    Special Access Permit holders only at any time.

Worksop town centre

Please note that on Monday 23 November 2015 new traffic restrictions came into force.

  • Bridge Street (Potter Street - Newcastle Street)
    • Special Access Permit holders only at all times on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

  • Previous Access for Blue Badge holders before 10am or after 3.30pm Monday to Saturday, all day Sunday is no longer allowed. This applies to all of the Pedestrianised Area of Bridge Street/Bridge Place.

    New designated bays for Disabled Blue Badge Holders Only are in place on parts of Newcastle Street/Newcastle Avenue close to Bridge Street.

  • Previous Access for Special Access Permit holders on Bridge Street (between Newcastle Street to Ryton Street) and Bridge Place/Bridge Street (between Bridge Terrace and Ryton Street) is no longer allowed.


    New designated bays for Special Access Permit Holders Only are in place on parts of Ryton Street and Central Avenue close to Bridge Street.

    Please remember to display the correct badge for parking bays.

Nottingham City 

Special access permits issued by Nottinghamshire County Council are valid throughout Nottinghamshire but are not valid in the Nottingham city area. 

Find out more about special access permits in Nottingham City on their website. 

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