A community petition signed by more than 1,000 people is making a final attempt to stop a new £3 weekend parking fee in Northampton, Northamptonshire. West Northamptonshire Council is meeting today, 26 February 2026, to decide on a final budget that includes ending the current policy of two hours free parking on Saturdays and Sundays.
If the plan is approved, shoppers will face a flat £3 charge on Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays starting in April 2026. Local resident Taylor Cowley-Coulton started the online petition to keep the town centre accessible for visitors and people with blue badges who might struggle with the price rise.
The council administration recently decided not to introduce similar parking fees in nearby Daventry, Towcester, and Brackley on 16 February 2026. However, they have kept the proposed increases for Northampton, arguing that the town must help fill a significant budget deficit estimated at many millions of pounds.
The Northampton Business Improvement District has backed the petition, warning that the higher costs could hurt trade and footfall in the town centre. Local business owners worry that the new fee will act as a tax on the town, driving customers away to out-of-town retail parks where parking remains free.
Councillors will meet at the Northampton Guildhall at 5pm this evening to cast their final vote on the budget proposals. The outcome will confirm whether the weekend parking rules will change for all council-run car parks in the town for the upcoming year.
