Parking Crackdown Coming: New Signs Go Up in St Neots as Council Prepares to Take Over Enforcement

Drivers and residents in St Neots may have spotted new temporary signs going up around town this week – part of a public awareness campaign by Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) ahead of a major shift in how parking is enforced locally.

From August 2025, Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) will officially come into effect across Huntingdonshire, meaning responsibility for enforcing most on-street parking rules will move from the police to the district council. This includes streets across St Neots, where parking problems have long been a frustration for local residents, businesses and disability campaigners alike.

The move is part of a national framework that decriminalises certain parking offences, enabling local councils to handle them as civil matters. The rules themselves are not changing — but who enforces them is.

What Does This Mean for St Neots?

From August, HDC will begin issuing warning notices for on-street contraventions for a four-week grace period. After that, penalty charge notices (PCNs) will be issued to drivers found breaking the rules, including:

• Parking without a permit or valid ticket
• Overstaying time limits
• Parking in restricted bays or on yellow lines
• Misuse of disabled bays

The council will also continue enforcement in its off-street car parks, where CPE is already in place. These areas will not be subject to the warning notice period.

Police Powers Remain for Serious Offences

Although many parking issues will fall under the council’s remit, police will still retain powers to deal with:

• Dangerous and obstructive parking
• Vehicles parked on pedestrian crossings or zig-zag lines
• Moving traffic offences such as speeding or ignoring ‘no entry’ signs

Positive Reaction from Locals

The change has been broadly welcomed in St Neots, where residents and business owners have frequently raised concerns about inadequate enforcement – particularly around:

• Blocked dropped kerbs
• Abuse of disabled bays
• Obstructive parking in the town centre

It’s hoped that having dedicated council enforcement teams will lead to faster and more consistent action.

Local disability campaigner Liz Owen, who has previously highlighted issues in the town centre, told Black Cat Radio earlier this month she was “super happy” about the news, calling it “a win for blue badge holders who just want to come and enjoy St Neots.”

Next Steps

The council has published its Civil Parking Enforcement Policy and Operational Guidance, which includes a full list of common contraventions in Cambridgeshire. Local drivers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the rules before enforcement formally begins.

CPE is being promoted through signage, online resources and local media, with the aim of raising awareness and improving compliance.

For more information about the changes and what it means for you, visit:

www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/parking