Have your say on Reform's plans to bring in new parking charges across dozens of car parks in West Northamptonshire

The Reform-led West Northamptonshire Council (WC) is proposing changes to sites in Northampton, Daventry and Towcester, covering town centre car parks, multi-storeys and country parks.

In Northampton, the car parks listed are Abington Place, Albion Place, Campbell Square, Commercial Street South, Doddridge Street, Marefair, Market Street, Melbourne Street, Midsummer Meadow, Newlands, Wellington Street, Radlands Skate Park, Racecourse, Ridings, Sixfields Reservoir, St John’s multi-storey, St Michael’s multi-storey, Commercial Street, Claret car park at Sixfields, County Hall, Grosvenor multi-storey, Mayorhold multi-storey, One Angel Square undercroft and Upper Mounts.

In Daventry, the sites included are Primrose Hill, St John’s Square, Brook Street, Chapel Lane, Chaucer Way, Eastern Way, Golding Close, High Street, Lodge Road, Newlands, Old Gasworks, St James Street, The Hollows/Waterloo and Welton Road undercroft.

In Towcester, the car parks listed are Sponne Arcade, Tove short stay, Richmond Road and Tove long stay.

Country park and leisure sites included are Brixworth Country Park, Daventry Country Park, Hunsbury Hill Country Park, West Hunsbury Country Park and the Bedford Road picnic area. St Crispin Community Centre is also included.

The council says the aim is to standardise how parking is managed across all sites, bringing them under one set of rules covering charges, permits, exemptions and payment methods. However, the consultation documents do not clearly set out how current charges compare with the proposed changes.

The consultation opened on April 23 and the public has until May 14 to comment, object or make representations on the plans.

A WNC spokesman said: “Making representations or objections persons wishing to make comments, representations, or objections to the Order, must do so by sending them in writing to “the Traffic Orders Section, Kier Highways, Brixworth Depot, Old Harborough Road, Brixworth, NN6 9BX” or by email; [email protected] by May 14.

The documents do not clearly show what drivers pay now compared to the proposed charges.

However, Chronicle and Echo has provided the following breakdown of some of the proposed changes to some of the major car parks.

To see the council’s proposals in full, click here and click on the 2087 TRO Draft Order file.

Country parks: Brixworth, Daventry, Hunsbury Hill, West Hunsbury and Bedford Road Picnic Area would all cost £2 for up to 1 hour or £8 for all-day parking, with permits costing £70 for a single park or £95 for multiple parks.

Racecourse car park (Northampton): £1 for up to 1 hour, £2 for up to 2 hours, £3 for up to 3 hours, and £4 for up to 4 hours, with £5 per hour thereafter. An evening rate of £2 (6pm–midnight) would allow parking until 10am the next day if paid before midnight. Motorcycles would remain free all day.

Radlands Skate Park (Northampton): Parking would range from 50p for 30 minutes up to £3.30 for 3 hours, then £5 per extra hour thereafter, reaching around £8.30 for 4 hours, £13.30 for 5 hours, and up to £68.30 for 17 hours.

Wellington Street (Northampton): Charges would start at 70p for 30 minutes and rise to £7 for 5 hours, with a capped rate up to 5 hours, then £6.40 per extra hour thereafter, reaching up to £77.40 for 17 hours.

Abington Place and similar town centre car parks (Doddridge Street, Marefair, Market Street, Melbourne Street): Charges would range from 50p for 30 minutes to £5.50 for 5 hours, with an all-day charge of £6.60. Permits would cost £33.60 for residents or £132 for a season ticket, with a £70 commuter permit also available at Doddridge Street and Marefair.

Claret Car Park (Sixfields, Northampton): Charges would vary, with match and event day pricing displayed on-site. Motorcycles would park free all day, and disabled badge holders would pay the standard charges.

County Hall Car Park (Northampton): Pre-booked evening parking would cost £4 from 6pm to midnight, with a £50 overstay charge. Motorcycles would park free all day.

Grosvenor Multi Storey (Northampton): Charges would range from 50p for 30 minutes up to £8.80 for all day parking, with an evening charge of £2.20 allowing overnight parking until 10am the next day. Motorcycles would park free all day.

Mayorhold Multi Storey (Northampton): Charges would range from 50p for 30 minutes up to £8.80 for all day parking, with permits available for residents (£33.60), commuters, and season ticket holders (£132). An evening charge of £2.20 would allow overnight parking until 10am the next day. Motorcycles would park free all day.

One Angel Square Undercroft (Northampton): Evening parking would cost £4 between 6pm and midnight if pre-booked, with a £50 overstay fee. Motorcycles would park free all day.Ridings Car Park (Northampton): Charges would range from 70p for 30 minutes up to £7 for 5 hours, then increase to higher long-stay rates up to £77.40 for 17 hours. An evening charge of £2.80 would allow parking until 10am the next day. Motorcycles would park free all day.

Sixfields Reservoir (Northampton): Parking would be £1 per hour, with match and event day pricing varying and displayed on site. Motorcycles would park free all day.

St John’s Multi Storey (Northampton): Charges would range from 70p for 30 minutes up to £11.20 for all day parking, with permits available for residents (£42.70), commuters, and season ticket holders (£167.60). An evening charge of £2.80 would allow parking until 10am the next day. Motorcycles would park free all day.

St Michael’s Multi Storey (Northampton): Charges would range from 50p for 30 minutes up to £6.60 for all day parking, with an evening rate of £2.20 allowing parking until 10am the next day. Motorcycles would park free all day. Resident permits would cost £33.60 per month, season tickets £132 per month, and commuter permits would also be available.

Upper Mounts (Northampton): Charges would range from 70p for 30 minutes up to £11.20 for all day parking, with an evening rate of £2.80 allowing parking until 10am the next day. Motorcycles would park free all day. Resident permits would cost £42.70 per month, season tickets £167.60 per month, and commuter permits would also be available.

Primrose Hill (Daventry): Parking would be free for up to 3 hours, then £5 per hour afterwards. Motorcycles would park free all day.

Sponne Arcade (Towcester): Parking would be free for up to 3 hours, with a £5 per hour charge after that, up to a maximum 3-hour stay with no return for 3 hours. Motorcycles would park free all day.

St John’s Square (Daventry): Parking would be free for up to 3 hours, then £5 per hour after that, with a 3-hour maximum stay and no return for 3 hours. Motorcycles would park free all day.

Tove Short Stay (Towcester): Parking would be free for up to 3 hours, then £5 per hour afterwards, with a 3-hour maximum stay and no return for 3 hours. Motorcycles would park free all day.