ANPR cameras go up at popular Northampton walking spot as parking charges set to begin soon, council confirms
ANPR cameras have been installed at a popular walking spot ahead of controversial plans to introduce parking charges at the site.
The Chronicle & Echo spotted the new cameras and pay machine at Sixfields Reservoir car park entrance this week.
A WNC spokeswoman said: “The cameras at Sixfields Reservoir were approved as part of the 2024/25 budget [under the former Conservative administration] and form part of a response to anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping in the car park.
“They are expected to be operational shortly following issues with securing the power supply, which have now been resolved.”
WNC says the plans were originally outlined in December 2024 and were then included in the 2025/26 budget, under the new Reform-led WNC.
A consultation on the proposals, launched by the council, ran for more than three months before closing on May 14.
However, when the Chronicle & Echo visited the site on Monday (May 18), ANPR cameras and a pay machine had already been installed at the reservoir car park entrance.
Despite the cameras already being up, WNC said: “The council is carefully considering the issues raised in the consultation which ended on 14 May. It expects to have reached a conclusion on the action to take by mid-June. This timescale is necessary to ensure there is full review of the issues.”
According to council documents, charges are set to apply Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day.
Under the proposals, cars and motorcycles would pay £1 for up to one hour, with each additional hour costing another £1. Variable charges could also apply on match or event days.
Disabled badge holders would also be required to pay the applicable parking charges.
Labour group leader Sally Keeble previously criticised the plans. She said: “For the urban parks, they will penalise families going out to enjoy themselves at the weekend. They also run completely counter to public policy to encourage exercise and good health. For people who are blue badge holders, the charges do not take account of the extra time they may need to spend while out and about.
“The stated aim of the order is to provide a consistent framework for charging. These proposals are just the opposite. They’re a mishmash of proposals with some of the most swingeing imposed on those least able to pay. Some of the hourly rates are higher than those found in the City of London, which is ridiculous.”
Plans to introduce parking charges at Sixfields Reservoir were first reported by the Chronicle & Echo in December 2024 as part of WNC’s draft budget proposals.
At the time, a report published by the council said the new costs reflected the impact of any inflationary increases in the cost of service delivery and are benchmarked against other providers.
It said that the fees and charges, including parking payments, penalty notices and business licences, represented a key source of funds and enable a range of services to be provided.
According to council budget documents published in 2024, the changes are expected to generate around £28.5 million in income for the authority.