Kettering parking enforcement changes: everything you need to know

The way on-street parking is controlled in Kettering will change tomorrow (Monday, February 3).

A team of council wardens will now be responsible for tackling parking contraventions rather than police, bringing the borough into line with the rest of Northamptonshire.

Here's everything you need to know.

Will most parking contraventions still be a criminal offence?

No. This change means it will no longer be a criminal offence but a civil matter.

What will happen if I breach parking rules?

You'll get a parking ticket called a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

How much is the charge?

It will be the same as penalties in the rest of the county - either £50 or £70. Charges will be higher for parking offences that are potentially dangerous.

Do you still get a discount if you pay early?

Yes. Charges are reduced by 50 per cent to motorists who pay within 14 days. More information on penalty charge levels can be found at www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/parking

So what will the council enforce?

Wardens will be out and responsible for double and single yellow lines, blue badge bays, limited waiting bays, taxi ranks, loading bays, parking in bus lanes and stops, zig-zag markings at schools (if restrictions apply) and pedestrian crossings, parking across dropped kerbs where there’s a crossing point (with or without tactile paving) and double parking (parking too far from

the kerb). They will continue to monitor council-owned car parks and residential parking zones as before.

What happens to the money made from PCNs?

Any income from the scheme is used to fund the costs of enforcement with any surplus funds used to improve local transport.

What will police still be responsible for dealing with?

The police will continue to be responsible for dealing with dangerously parked vehicles, obstruction offences and moving traffic offences including double white lines, one-way traffic, white hatched areas and box junctions. You can report these issues to the police by calling 101.

Cllr Mark Dearing, Kettering Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “We are delighted that the council will soon have new powers to help ensure motorists are parking safely across the borough.

"We will provide lots of information for motorists in Kettering about how to park safely, but we will have no tolerance of those motorists who continue to park their cars dangerously, reduce access to parking spaces or create congestion.

"We are very keen to make sure that more space is freed up for shoppers to park in short term spaces.”