Parking chaos erupts across West Northamptonshire as council apologises ‘unreservedly’ after hiking prices, fining disabled drivers and starting infrastructure work all before legal paperwork was in place as 2,000 people sign protest petition

Ahead of the Reform-led West Northants Council’s (WNC) 2026/27 budget, drafts put forward laid out plans for a range of changes to parking across the authority.

These centred around the introduction of parking charges for the first time ever in our market towns of Daventry, Brackley and Towcester which resulted in a high-profile campaign - backed by MPs, businesses and residents.

With a record number of consultation responses - totalling more than 3,000 - the council's cabinet reversed the decision in February with the Reform leader Mark Arnull saying they had 'listened to our residents.'

However widespread increases to parking charges in Northampton town centre - including the removal of two hours of free parking and weekends and bank holidays as well as concessions for blue-badge holders - remained in the budget.

Proposals for parking charges to be introduced at a number of recreational areas and beauty spots in and around Northampton were also approved.

Key locations include Radlands Skate Park, Claret Car Park, the Racecourse, Sixfields Reservoir, Hunsbury Hill Country Park, West Hunsbury Country Park and the Bedford Road picnic area.

Following the budget the council failed to then activate the legal paperwork required to hike the prices, scrap free parking at peak times as well as introduce parking charges for the disabled and at the proposed recreational areas.

This has meant that since April 1, visitors to several council-owned car parks have been overcharged at the higher rate and disabled badge-holders have returned to their vehicles to find they have been giving a parking fine by WNC.

West Northamptonshire Council issued a statement on Tuesday April 28 to say it would like to 'sincerely apologise to all residents for an error in charges at its car parks and is acting to address the issues.'

It admitted that it had revised changes to off-street parking, including applying them to blue badge holders, before statutory public consultation – making a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – had been carried out.

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.

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."

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 now 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.

With the correct paperwork now being published publicly for the first time in the form of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) - the proposed changes have been thrown into the spotlight.

The Drovers Return Cafe, based at Hunsbury Hill Country Park, said: "Devastated to learn that Reform led WNC have proposed parking charges for our parks in West Hunsbury."

As part of the TRO consultation, new charges and changes have been outlined.

Beauty spots such as the country parks in West Hunsbury could now be charged up to £8 per day which would bring them in line with Daventry and Brixworth Country Parks despite them having way less amenities.

More than 2,000 people, at the time of writing, have signed a petition to stop the proposals going ahead, although the council's website is already has the option for people to buy an annual season ticket for both Hunsbury parks.

A WNC spokesman said: "These charges would be in line with those already in place at other country parks across West Northamptonshire, helping to ensure a fair and consistent approach. Rising costs, including inflation and the ongoing expense of maintaining parks and green spaces to a good standard for everyone to enjoy, are key factors behind the proposals."

Further changes in the TRO outline that Radlands Skate Park would cost £2.20 for two hours rising to £43.30 to park there for 12 hours.

The Racecourse would cost £1 for every hour you're there up to £4 for four hours. It would cost £5 per hour thereafter.

A WNC spokesman said: "It is important to remember that the Racecourse car park is provided for the users of the Racecourse as a public park and attraction. The purpose of the proposed new rules is to ensure the public can use it for its intended purpose."

With the TRO now in the public domain, it's also come to light that WNC has plans to alter charged to short stays in Daventry and Towcester.

This would mean that in Primrose Hill and St John's in Daventry along with Sponne Arcade and Tove in Towcester would remain free for up to three hours.

Thereafter a charge of £5 per hour would kick in with ANPR in place.

A WNC spokesman said: "Following feedback on the draft budget proposals earlier this year, the Council decided not to introduce new parking charges in Daventry and Towcester. However, persistent issues with overstaying in short‑stay car parks were identified, reducing space availability for shoppers and other visitors.

"To address this, the council is consulting on enforcing the existing free three‑hour limit in four larger short‑stay car parks - two in each town - using ANPR. To avoid penalising minor overstays, this approach replaces an immediate £30 penalty charge with a £5 per hour overstay charge, while leaving the free parking period unchanged."

Sarah Bool, MP for South Northamptonshire, revealed on her Facebook page that parking infrastructure is already started to be built in the Tove car park.

This is despite the council not having completed the legal TRO yet.

She said: “Like me you probably have questions about what that is. Is that ANPR and if so why is it being installed at this stage considering they said in February there would be no charges. This order is a draft order and there is a consultation until May 14.

"How is this being installed already. I just don't understand."

Ms Bool called on residents to object to the order, adding: "We need to stop this, it is madness."

With numerous questions outstanding the Chron has requested further comment from WNC.