Parking, bus lane and moving traffic penalty charge notices

Pay a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

We use number-plate recognition cameras to enforce bus lanes - currently enforcement takes place in Market Street, Wellingborough town centre (bus gate) from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm

Even with a Blue Badge (disabled), parking is not allowed in a bus lane when it's in operation.

Cost

A bus lane contravention penalty charge is £70, reduced to £35 if paid with 21 days.

Failure to pay within 28 days that we served the notice (2 working days after posting), may lead to further increases in the PCN amount and enforcement action being taken.

Pay

When paying:

  • don't pay if you want to appeal because payment is accepting liability. Payment will close the case and no further communication will be considered
  • enter each PCN number individually if you are paying more than one charge
  • 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:

Further guidance

Phone

Call our 24-hour automated line on 0300 373 1022 (option 1).

Post

Please ensure:

  • you quote the PCN number on the back of the cheque or postal order
  • you allow 2 working days for 1st class post and 5 working days for 2nd class post
  • if you would like a receipt, you enclose a stamped addressed envelope

To pay by cheque or postal order, please make payable to North Northamptonshire Council and post to the following address:

North Northamptonshire Council
PO Box 352
Sheffield
S98 1YE

We employ enforcement agents to recover unpaid bus lane tickets.

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 if you ignore a letter from bailiffs and they have to visit you
  • £110 if they have to take your goods and sell them at auction.

You'll have to pay the bailiff for any action they take against you, such as storing your goods or using a locksmith.

The money raised from 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 08 September 2023