Request new parking restrictions
Parked vehicles can sometimes restrict access for emergency services, contribute to congestion, or create safety hazards. Waiting and parking restrictions are one way to help keep roads safe, maintain traffic flow, and reduce these issues.
Parking restrictions include:
- yellow lines
- limited waiting bays
- bus bays
- taxi bays
- loading bays
- no loading areas
- school “keep clear” markings
- residents’ parking bays
- on-street pay and display bays
Road markings are usually supported by signs that explain the restriction.
Double yellow lines indicate that waiting is prohibited at any time. Upright signs are not required for enforcement unless the restriction is seasonal or subject to an exception.
Find details of all current and legally enforceable parking restrictions in the county on the Northamptonshire Traffic Orders website.
Parking problems - what can be done
Parking issues can often be contentious within communities, with differing views on how they should be managed (for example, resident parking schemes). Where demand exceeds available road space, there may not be a simple solution.
However, where appropriate, waiting restrictions can be considered to help control where and how vehicles are parked in an area.
The parking review process
Requests are reviewed periodically as part of wider, area-based parking reviews across the authority. This approach helps ensure the most efficient use of resources, as implementing a single change can involve similar legal and administrative costs as reviewing a wider area.
Each request is assessed by highways officers, taking into account factors including:
- road safety
- accessibility
- traffic flow and congestion
- the potential for displacement to nearby streets
- local context and supporting information
If a request meets the council’s assessment criteria, it may be progressed to formal consultation. The level of local support is considered as part of the overall decision-making process but is not determinative.
What happens next
Where proposals are taken forward, the council must follow a statutory legal process under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996.
This typically includes:
- publication of a Notice of Proposal in a local newspaper
- consultation with statutory consultees (such as emergency services and other prescribed bodies)
- the display of site notices in the affected area
- notification of properties directly affected, where appropriate
There is then a formal consultation period of 21 days during which anyone may submit comments or objections.
All representations received are carefully considered, and a decision is made in accordance with the council’s constitution, typically by the relevant cabinet member or a delegated officer or both.
If approved:
- a notice of making is published
- the traffic regulation order is sealed
- road markings and signage are installed
The full process typically takes between 12 and 24 months, depending on the complexity of the proposal, available resources, and the level of objections received.
1.0 Read the guidance
Parking restrictions are introduced for a variety of reasons, including improving road safety and maintaining traffic flow.
A balance must be achieved between keeping traffic moving and allowing people to carry out their day-to-day activities. For this reason, in residential areas, the council will generally prioritise restrictions at locations such as:
- junctions
- bends
- areas with restricted visibility
This helps to balance safety with the availability of parking.
On-street parking is a shared public resource. Any vehicle that is legally permitted to use the public highway may park where spaces are available, even if this is outside residential properties. While this can be frustrating where parking is limited, restrictions cannot be introduced solely to protect private property.
Road networks change over time, and it may be necessary to review whether existing restrictions remain appropriate or whether new measures are required.
North Northamptonshire Council will use the information provided to assess whether any proposed changes are in the overall interests of the community and align with wider objectives, including the Council’s Network Management Plan.
2.0 Gather local support
Support from local residents, businesses, or community representatives can assist in demonstrating the nature and extent of any problem.
Requests are encouraged to be supported by the local town or parish council, where applicable, as this can help provide local context and evidence of need.
Requests should be submitted through your town or parish council initially. Once local support has been established, the request should then be forwarded to the Highways Community Liaison Officers (CLO) team at: [email protected].
You may also wish to contact your local ward councillor for support.
3.0 Provide evidence
Providing evidence will help officers assess your request. This may include:
- photographs of parking issues
- details of times when problems occur
- information on road safety concerns
This helps build an accurate picture of the issue and supports the overall assessment.
4.0 Assessment and review
A member of the CLO team will review your request in line with the council’s assessment criteria. Please allow up to 21 days for an initial response.
Requests that demonstrate clear and evidenced highway safety concerns, or wider network impacts, are more likely to be prioritised for further consideration as part of a future parking review.
If a request is not progressed, you will be informed. The same request will not normally be reconsidered for a period of approximately three years unless there has been a significant change in circumstances (such as a change to the road layout or traffic conditions).
General principles
All proposals are assessed against a range of factors, including:
- location - road classification and surrounding land use
- parking demand - the level of on-street parking pressure
- highway impact - whether parking obstructs traffic or reduces capacity
- safety - including visibility and potential hazards
- collision data - particularly where recorded incidents are linked to parking issues
- local needs - including residents, businesses, and service access
Proposals that are likely to result in significant displacement of parking, or that would be difficult to enforce, are unlikely to be supported.
Restrictions are intended to benefit the safe and efficient use of the highway for all users.
When parking restrictions may not be appropriate
There are situations where parking restrictions may not be the most suitable solution.
These can include:
- parking that affects views from private property
- parking that creates noise disturbances
- obstruction of private driveways (which may be addressed through other enforcement powers)
- lightly trafficked rural roads
- turning heads within small residential cul-de-sacs
In such cases, alternative approaches may be more appropriate.
Important information
All requests are assessed on their individual merits. The council reserves the right to prioritise schemes based on available funding, operational resources, policy objectives, and statutory duties.
The introduction of parking restrictions is subject to the statutory Traffic Regulation Order process and cannot be guaranteed.
Last updated 03 August 2026