The Traffic Management Act 2004, which crept onto the statute books with little debate, is mainly about regulating road works, scaffolding, and the powers of traffic wardens. But tucked away towards the end is a section containing a couple of clauses you may not be aware of.
It's now illegal to park next to a dropped kerb, for instance. Exceptions are:
When you're in a parking space
When you're parked outside residential premises with the consent of the occupier of the premises -- as long as you're not paying for parking.
When loading or unloading for 20 minutes or less.
Works such as gas and water, or road works.
It's an armed forces vehicle -- so a parking a tank across your neighbour's driveway is OK
Double parking is also now illegal -- you've got to be within 50 cm of the kerb. Exceptions are as above, although the law does allow you to stop to allow people in and out of the car.
Fixed penalties could be up to £80.
Check out the detail
Here