Pay a parking Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)
Fraudulent PCN text messages
We are aware of scam text messages being sent to West Northamptonshire residents. They are fraudulently claiming that residents have been issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and must follow a link to pay a fine.
Be aware that we never issue PCNs via text.
If anyone has received a genuinely issued PCN from us, it will have been:
- on their vehicle when they have returned to it (parking PCN)
- via the post with photographic evidence (bus lane offence and/or moving traffic offence)
Please ignore any text messages you receive regarding the issuing of a PCN.
To appeal a penalty charge notice (PCN), find out about appealing a parking PCN.
Before you start
To pay, you will need:
- your vehicle registration number
- the PCN number on your parking ticket
Important: You should not make payment if you wish to appeal further because payment is acceptance of liability. By making payment you are therefore admitting that the ticket was right. Payment will close the case and no further communication will be considered.
Amount to pay
The penalty charge is either:
- £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days)
- £50 (reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days)
Ensure payment is made for the correct amount, so that you do not pay either too little or too much.
How to pay
If you are paying more than one penalty charge please ensure that you enter each PCN number individually.
We do not accept payment by instalments, cash or by Visa Electron or American Express.
Online
Pay by credit or debit card using our online payments system:
Telephone
Call our 24-hour automated line on 0345 680 0153 (option 1).
Pay by post
Please ensure that you quote the PCN number on the back of the cheque or postal order.
Allow 2 working days for 1st class post and 5 working days for 2nd class post.
If you would like a receipt please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
To pay by cheque or postal order, please make your cheque payable to West Northamptonshire Council and post to:
Traffic Enforcement Team
The Guildhall
St Giles Square
Northampton
NN1 1DE
Unpaid PCNs and Enforcement
Unpaid PCNs are a civil debt recoverable in the same way as any other debt. We employ Enforcement Agents to recover unpaid parking debt.
If you have been contacted by an Enforcement Agent please ensure that payment is made to them. We will not accept payment for any PCNs that have reached this stage.
Bailiff fees are set by the Ministry of Justice.
In most cases, the fees are:
- £75 when your case is sent to the bailiff
- £235 (and 7.5% of the debt amount exceeding £1500) if you ignore a letter from bailiffs and they have to visit you
- £110 (and 7.5% of the debt amount exceeding £1500) if they have to take your goods and sell them at auction
You will have to pay the bailiff for any action they take against you, such as storing your goods or using a locksmith.
The purpose of the enforcement guidelines is to:
- deliver a high quality parking service to road users in a fair and consistent way
- ensure clarity of enforcement requirements and parking policy
- have a single point in which enforcement policy is documented and updated when changes occur
For further information and contravention breakdowns, please see the document below:
We made a decision not to allow payment of PCNs by instalment for the following reasons:
- the cost of administering the system
- many customers who had been allowed instalment plans failed to adhere to them
- only short term instalments could be allowed to keep within the statutory PCN timescales
- current legislation states that in order for a case to be closed, full payment must be made within certain timescales. This does not provide the motorist with the opportunity to settle a case other than that stated within the legislation. Those seeking instalment plans often wish to do so over a longer period than could be allowed
- payment arrangements could not be allowed during the discounted period as legislation states that the discounted period only lasts for 14 days
- the deterrent of a PCN may be compromised if small repayments, or long term payment arrangements, are accepted
Money collected from PCN payments
The money raised from parking enforcement is used to fund the cost of the service. Any surplus raised is used for highway and environmental improvements. Civil Enforcement Officers do not receive bonuses for the number of the PCNs they issue.
Last updated 15 October 2024