Residents raise alarm over reported change of parking policy in Buckingham after spate of tickets

A series of parking tickets have been issued on Nelson Street in Buckingham. Residents, who have joined together to challenge the new ticketing policy, are concerned that even more tickets will be delivered in the area when the council switches to a new contractor.

Bucks Council said that parking restrictions have always existed in Nelson Street and the Bristle Hill area of Buckingham and are set out in an existing Traffic Regulation Order.

A Nelson Street Community Group has been set up with the intention of allowing people in the Buckingham area an opportunity to raise concerns with Bucks Council and the town council. A spokesperson from the group raised concerns with the timing of the penalty notices, highlighting that the authority hired a new parking enforcement company to police driving across the county.

APCOA Parking took over parking enforcement duties in Buckinghamshire at the start of this month. APCOA uses ANPR-equipped vehicles to detect parking issues.

A spokesperson for Nelson Street Community Group said: “The whole situation is baffling. We’ve tried to engage with both the town and county council and, at this point, we’re left with more questions than answers. If the County Council’s intervention was centred around enforcing the issues we have with congestion or speeding, we’d understand it, but this is nonsensical.”

They also referred to APCOA’s technology as ‘big brother’-type vehicles and asked where motorists can park if not in town centre zones.

Further issues have been raised regarding people parking on pavements and in front of businesses to avoid fines. Howes a florist in Buckingham and other neighbouring businesses are said to be affected.

Local councillor Robin Stuchbury noted on social media that new parking signs and dashed white lining has been added on the problem streets.

"These measures have been put in place to provide interim clarity on parking arrangements,” he said in a statement. “As a result, no further enforcement should take place in relation to parking in these specific areas at this time providing the lining is maintained and the signs kept in situ.”

However, some residents who received tickets during the uncertain period have revealed that they are still appealing their fines. A campaigner also told The Bucks Herald that the group was told that several parking spaces will be lost once the council completes resurfacing works and the new dashed lines are a temporary measure.

Councillor Steve Bowles told The Bucks Herald ahead of the alterations being introduced in Buckingham: “We understand the concerns raised by residents, businesses and community groups about parking in the Nelson Street, Castle Street and Bristle Hill area of Buckingham, and we recognise how important accessible parking is for supporting the town centre.

"The restrictions in place on these roads are not new and are set out in an existing Traffic Regulation Order, with double yellow lines clearly marked. This means they are legally enforceable, and vehicles parked in contravention may receive Penalty Charge Notices. While parking may have taken place there historically, this does not override the current legal position.

"We do appreciate that the recent visibility of enforcement has come as a concern to some, particularly alongside the introduction of a new contractor delivering on-street enforcement on behalf of the council from 1 June. This change is about how the service is delivered – it does not introduce new restrictions or new parking charges.

"Council officers have been working closely with local councillors to review the situation and consider whether any changes may be appropriate in future. No formal changes have been approved or implemented at this stage, and discussions are ongoing to ensure that any long-term approach strikes the right balance for residents, businesses and visitors."