West Northamptonshire Council forced to refund drivers after parking charge blunder leaves fines invalid
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) must issue refunds to anyone who paid increased parking charges or received a ticket for Blue Badge non-payment over the last month, after it made an error in how the updated fees were imposed across Northampton.
New parking charges were introduced across town centre car parks from April 1 this year. This followed the Reform UK administration approving the increased hourly fees, removal of free weekend parking, and removal of free Blue Badge holder parking in its first-ever budget.
It has since come to light that the fees were introduced before a legal document, known as a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), had been carried out, rendering the charges invalid.
The authority has “sincerely apologised” to all residents for the error and says it is acting to address the issues.
Anyone with a Blue Badge who has paid for parking at the council’s car parks since April 1 will be entitled to a full refund. Similarly, motorists who paid the increased car parking fees at council-owned, off-street car parks since April 1 will be entitled to a refund of the difference between the old and new charges.
Any Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) relating to these changes will also be refunded.
Where possible, the council will make reimbursements automatically. Where it cannot do this, it has said it “will make it as easy as possible” for people to claim reimbursement.
According to WNC, the affected car parks are Albion Place, Campbell Square, Midsummer Meadow, The Ridings, St John’s Multi-Storey, Upper Mounts, and Wellington Street.
The removal of free parking on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays and free Saturday mornings at Brixworth Country Park were also introduced without the proper TRO in place.
Some residents who were fined during this period spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service last week, criticising the council for its communication surrounding the changes to Blue Badge parking and inadequate notice.
Across the council car parks, signage boards and payment machines have been taped up with black bags so they are no longer visible to car park users. A printed photo of the previous fees before April 1 has been stuck to the signs, alongside a confirmation that blue badge holders have free parking and a copy of the late Traffic Regulation Order.
Before any revised charges are brought back, the council is required by law to carry out a formal public consultation. This includes a minimum 21‑day period during which people can raise objections or comments.
Notices have been published in the local press and displayed at the affected car parks so that everyone is aware of the proposals. Once the consultation closes, the council will consider any responses and publicise any changes we decide to introduce.
Residents making representations or objections can email their feedback to [email protected], or send it in writing to “the Traffic Orders Section, Kier Highways, Brixworth Depot, Old Harborough Road, Brixworth, NN6 9BX” to feed into the council’s consideration by May 14, 2026.
Stuart Timmiss, executive director of place, economy and the environment, said: “We apologise unreservedly to anyone that has been affected by this error.
“We know this falls far short of the standards our residents expect from council officers, and how we should be delivering services and I would like to assure them that we are taking swift action to put this right.
“Blue Badge holders and other drivers who paid the incorrect charges at our car parks since April 1 this year will be reimbursed the difference, and Penalty Charge Notices relating to these errors will also be cancelled and refunded.”
It is not clear when the council became aware of the mistake, however the notice of intention for the new Traffic Regulation Order was dated April 23. 2026.
Further information on how to claim refunds will be available shortly on the WNC website and residents are also urged to keep an eye out for updates on the council’s social media channels.
The LDRS asked the council questions on how many people received a penalty charge since the new fees were brought in, but has not received a response.
The council has confirmed that this error did not affect on-street parking. These charges were implemented correctly and remain in place.