North Northamptonshire Draft Car Parking Strategy 2026-2036 - have your say

Overview

North Northamptonshire Council is consulting on its draft Car Parking Strategy 2026-2036. 

The draft strategy sets out a long-term approach for the management of Council owned car parks and parking services across North Northamptonshire. It seeks to establish a consistent approach across the area following Local Government Reorganisation and the creation of North Northamptonshire Council in 2021.  

The draft Car Parking Strategy 2026-2036 was considered by Executive on 15 September 2026, including an Equality Screening Assessment. 

The objectives for the draft Car Parking Strategy 2026-2036 are:   

1. Reduce congestion, particularly in town centres, encouraging efficient use of car parks  

2. Promote healthy and sustainable travel choices  

3. Adopt a user pays principle for car parks  

4. Reinvest and improve infrastructure within car parks, to include reliable, modern and efficient payment options  

5. Improve user experience and ensure car parks are safe, secure and fit for purpose  

Car parks play an important role in supporting residents, visitors and businesses. They help people access to town centres, workplaces, leisure facilities, healthcare, public transport and local services. The way parking is managed can also influence congestion, accessibility, road safety, economic activity and environmental outcomes. 

Before any decisions are made on the final strategy, we would like to hear your views on the proposals within the draft Car Parking Strategy 2026-2036. Any changes that are proposed in the draft strategy would be subject to consideration and final approval by Councillors and, where necessary, consultation and amendment in line with the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process. (more details below in 'What happens next')

How we got here 

The draft strategy has been developed using a range of evidence, including: 

• Engagement with residents and stakeholders 

• Car park occupancy surveys 

• Duration of stay information 

• Customer engagement with car park users 

• Benchmarking against neighbouring authorities 

• National guidance and legislation 

• Review of existing parking arrangements across North Northamptonshire  

• Consideration of the Car Parking Charges Investigation Study from 2023

This work identified that parking provision and management currently vary across the area, reflecting different approaches inherited from the former councils. The evidence also suggests that parking demand differs significantly between locations, with some sites heavily used and others underused. The challenge is not simply the number of parking spaces available, but ensuring those spaces are managed effectively and consistently. 

What you told us 

Earlier engagement with residents and users of Council car parks helped us understand local priorities and experiences. You can view more detail via the We Asked, You Said, We Did.  

Using your feedback, occupancy surveys, benchmarking data and national guidance, we developed the draft Car Parking Strategy which includes proposals on parking charges, accessibility, parking technology, permits, electric vehicle charging and investment in parking infrastructure. 

What the draft strategy proposes 

The draft strategy includes proposals to: 

• Increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure

• Improve accessibility and customer experience 

• Reinvest parking income into parking and transport related infrastructure where legislation permits 

• Introduce a more consistent approach to parking management across North Northamptonshire

• Introduce a banded approach to parking tariffs based on demand and location

• Introduce charges or restrictions at some car parks that are currently unrestricted or free

• Increase the use of contactless, cashless and app-based payment options

• Review permit arrangements

Have your say 

You can share your feedback on the draft Car Parking Strategy by completing the survey via the link below.

This questionnaire focuses on the main points raised within the draft Strategy. However, there is opportunity to comment on anything within the draft Strategy in the comment boxes towards the end of the questionnaire.

Alternatively, you can email or write to us at: 

Email: Trafficenforcement@northnorthants.gov.uk

Post: Draft Car Parking Strategy Consultation Response, North Northamptonshire Council, Traffic Enforcement Team, c/o Bowling Green Road, Kettering, Northants NN15 7QX

You may also find the FAQs helpful.

What happens next?

All consultation feedback on the draft Car Parking Strategy 2026-2036 will be considered and any proposed amendments incorporated into the final draft Strategy. The Corporate Scrutiny Committee will consider the draft Strategy at the end of the year, prior to consideration by Executive in early 2027.

Any amendments to the TRO (affecting car park use, tariffs, payment methods, length of stay, permit holder requirements, disabled and electric vehicle parking bays, vehicle restrictions, opening/closing times and enforcement arrangements) will be conducted through the TRO process, including further consultation as required.

Further information on TROs and NNC car parks can be found on the NNC website.

This survey closes at 23.59 on 20 December 2026. 

At the end of the survey there is an opportunity, for those responding as an individual, to share some demographic information. The purpose of asking for equality monitoring information is to check that our consultation and engagement activities have reached an audience that reflects our community and ensure everybody has an opportunity to be heard. It is voluntary and we thank you, in anticipation, for taking the time to share your details.

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the consultation and engagement privacy notice.