Original parking charges, and two hours of free parking, at Northampton town centre car parks will be reinstated from TOMORROW (Friday May 1), following the council’s legal error.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has confirmed that off-street parking charges in the likes of St John’s Car Park, Wellington Street, Albion Place and more, will return to the tariff that was followed prior to April 1, 2026.

On Tuesday April 28, WNC confirmed new charges had been launched in error on April 1. The council was supposed to make a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which is a statutory public consultation, before these changes were implemented. However, this was not done. The council has “sincerely apologised” for the error, which also saw the incorrect removal of two hours of free parking on weekends, free bank holiday parking and free parking for blue badge holders.

WNC also confirmed to the Chronicle & Echo that there has been a temporary suspension of charges from Thursday April 23, which is when the TRO was published. Free parking will now be lifted as original arrangements will be reintroduced from Friday. Monday May 4 will see free parking across the town centre car parks, as it is a bank holiday.

Car parks such as St John's will see parking charges reinstated from Friday May 1.

placeholder image — Car parks such as St John's will see parking charges reinstated from Friday May 1.

A council spokesman said on Thursday April 30: “Parking charges will revert back to the original arrangements with the same tariffs which were in place before April 1.

"Visitors are reminded that parking will be free on Monday May 4 due to the bank holiday, in line with previous arrangements. There will also be two hours free parking on Saturday and Sunday.

"Motorists using council run car parks and on street parking bays are advised to check signage and payment information locally.”

As the council failed to activate the legal paperwork required to hike the prices, scrap free parking at peak times as well as introduce parking charges for the disabled, many residents have overpaid or paid when they should not have done during the month of April.

Anyone with a blue badge can now get a full refund and those who paid increased fees will be refunded the difference between the old and new charges.

Any Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) relating to these changes will also be refunded.

The WNC spokesman added: “We are still working on our mechanism for people to claim refunds for the incorrect charges applied throughout April and expect to be able to update on these soon. Further details will be published on our website and social media.”

The council is required by law to carry out a formal public consultation before any revised – increased – charges are brought back. Notices have now been published and there must be a minimum 21‑day period during which people can raise objections or comments. Once the consultation closes, the council will consider any responses.

With the correct paperwork now published publicly in the form of a TRO - the proposed changes have been thrown into the spotlight and include a number of additional areas where charges could be increased or introduced.