Penalty Charge Notices

To keep traffic flowing safely and freely our uniformed Civil Enforcement Officers patrol the city. They try to keep illegal parking to a minimum and check that parking permits are being used correctly. Our Civil Enforcement Officers also look out for motorists who return back to their cars to put more money in the Pay and Display machine without moving their cars. This happens even though there is a fixed time limit.

Our Civil Enforcement Officers will issue a Penalty Charge Notice, also known as a parking ticket, to vehicles that are parked and do not comply with law.

From 31 March 2008 the Traffic Management Act 2004 will replace the Road Traffic Act 1991.  The Traffic Management Act introduces a two tier penalty charge system.  Please follow the link at the bottom of the page to see the document which explains which contraventions are defined as higher and lower level penalty charges.

What to do if you get a Penalty Charge Notice

We will accept a discounted amount (stated on the Penalty Charge Notice) if we receive your payment within 14 days of the date it was issued. We need the full penalty charge amount if we have not received the discounted payment within 14 days or you do not challenge the penalty.

You can pay in any of the following ways;

• by post - with cheque, postal order, debit or credit card;
• in person - at our offices;
• by phone 01782 234123 - with debit or credit card; or
• using the on-line payments system on the main council webpage.  Click here to be taken to this page.
• Full details of how and where to pay are shown on the Penalty Charge Notice.

What to do if you disagree with the penalty

You may feel you should not have received the penalty and may wish to challenge it. If so, you need to do this in writing within 14 days from the date the Penalty Charge Notice was issued. Follow the link on the right hand side to find out how to challenge a penalty.

We have also added links to other useful organisations.