Parking enforcement

Parking enforcement plans (15 June 2020)

In order to support the re-opening of shops, businesses and schools, it is important that we review our current temporary relaxation of parking enforcement.

It is vital that we continue to support the NHS, health and social care workers and NHS COVID-19 volunteers and support the government’s message to continue to work from home wherever possible.

We are continuing to follow the national guidance and from Monday 15 June 2020, the following applies:

Charging in all Northampton on-street pay and display bays resumes – motorists must purchase a pay and display ticket before leaving their vehicle parked. All maximum stay or no return time limits associated with pay and display bays will apply.
Free parking will continue to be given to the NHS, health and social care workers and NHS COVID-19 volunteers in line with the government’s free parking concessions. A Government Parking Pass or a pre-agreed parking permit must be clearly on display in the vehicle.
In residents permit zones, residents with valid permits will continue to be able to park without time limit in time-limited bays (to be reviewed 30 June 2020)
In residents permit zones, residents with valid permits will continue to be able to park on single yellow lines during the hours of operation (to be reviewed 30 June 2020)
In high density residents areas, we will continue to allow residents to park on single yellow lines during the hours of operation (to be reviewed 30 June 2020)
All other restrictions such as limited waiting bays (free bays), school keep clear areas, disabled bays, loading bays or restrictions, bus stops, taxi ranks, zig-zags, restricted zones etc. will continue to be enforced; and
Local exemptions and permits previously issued to wider groups of key workers will no longer be valid and should not be displayed in vehicles. Only the Government Parking Pass and any pre-agreed permit or sticker (agreed June 2020) will be valid.
Any person receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will still need to follow the statutory process in place as detailed on the reverse of the PCN itself.

Dangerous, obstructive or anti-social parking

Whilst we acknowledge that the government is still advising us to work from home if we can, it is evident that vehicles continue to park dangerously such as at junctions or causing unnecessary obstructions particularly on pavements so we will continue to enforce and PCN will be issued. Anti-social parking is not permitted and our Civil Enforcement Officers will enforce accordingly.

NHS, health and social care workers and NHS COVID-19 volunteers should ensure that they do not park dangerously, causing an obstruction or in an anti-social manner.

Please note that:

The on-street charging strategy plays an important part of the recovery process in regulating vehicle movement. Since charging was temporarily suspended in March 2020, those not able to work from home have benefitted from free parking in very close proximity to their workplace which was our aim at that time.

It is now essential that we turn our focus to support retail and by recommencing on-street pay and display charging, this should free-up parking bays to allow shoppers the opportunity to park near to their intended destination therefore bringing people back in to our town centre.

All pay and display machines will, where possible, have social distancing markings in place around the machines.

While a regular cleaning regime will be in place, customers are advised to cover their fingers to press buttons. It is recommended that customers wash and sanitise their hands as soon as possible after using the machine.

The Government has issued guidance on safe travel, which includes a checklist of planning a journey and what to take. The council is encouraging visitors to follow this advice.

Our officers will continue to observe the social distancing rules as they carry out their work and any instances of aggressive or abusive behaviours will be reported immediately to the Police.

Who is responsible for parking enforcement?

Northamptonshire County Council is responsible for parking enforcement in the following areas:

Northampton Borough
Borough of Wellingborough
Corby
South Northamptonshire
East Northamptonshire
Daventry District
Kettering Borough (Effective from 31/01/2020)

The County Councils Parking Enforcement Contractor (NSL) carry out enforcement in all areas except Kettering Borough, the enforcement for the Kettering area is carried out directly by Kettering Borough Council.

Which parking restrictions do the council enforce?

The county council currently has responsibility for ensuring the following parking regulations are observed:

Bus stops – no waiting at any time.
Disabled bays – a valid Disabled Blue Badge must be displayed with parking clocks (if time limited).
Double yellow lines – no waiting at any time.
Limited waiting bays – for permitted period stated.
Loading bays – for loading/unloading only during specified time.
Motorcycle bays – for motorcycles only.
Pay and display areas – a valid pay and display ticket must be purchased and visible.
Police bays – marked police or unmarked vehicles displaying the relevant police logbook.
Permit holder bays - a valid permit must be displayed.
Single yellow lines – no waiting during prescribed hours indicated on the sign or on entry signs to controlled parking zones.
Taxi bays – bays designated for taxis only.
Zig-zags - on restricted pedestrian crossings.
Vehicle Drive Aways (VDAs) - a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) can still be issued to a vehicle parked in contravention if the motorist has driven away before the Civil Enforcement Officer has affixed the notice to the vehicle. The PCN will be posted to the registered keeper.
Prevented from Issue - if a Civil Enforcement Officer is prevented from issuing a PCN to a vehicle because of aggressive behaviour, both verbally and physically, the PCN will be posted to the registered keeper.

If you are unsure of the parking regulations, you can find further information on the Highway Code website.

Working in partnership

The county council is working in partnership with NSL Services and Kettering Borough Council who provide a range of parking related services on behalf of the council.