The council, working in partnership with East Herts Council and Apcoa, is responsible for the enforcement of parking restrictions in the town.

Our aims are:

• to benefit pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers as well as all other drivers by reducing the amount of illegal and inconsiderate parking in the town;
• to improve road safety through enforcement action against drivers of illegally and dangerously parked vehicles;
• to improve the street environment for those who visit, live or work in the town;
• to reduce congestion by controlling the parking of vehicles on street;
• to ensure better availability and turnover of disabled and short-term parking spaces in the town centre, allowing more people to park.

Civil Enforcement Officers, in Stevenage, wear a distinctive uniform and, have a recognisable presence, particularly in the Town Centre and Old Town. In addition to enforcement, they are able to report street crime and anti-social behaviour via a communication link to the CCTV control room. This helps make the streets of Stevenage safer.

They have the power to issue tickets that carry a penalty charge.

PCNs are issued for parking contraventions that take place on the street. For example:

• Parking on double yellow lines
• Parking in bays designated for the disabled, without displaying the required badge
• Parking in loading bays
• Overstaying time limits in short term parking areas.

Whilst parking restrictions are enforced by the council, moving traffic offences and vehicular obstruction of the highway remain the responsibility of the Police.

The laws surrounding Parking Offences changed at the end of March 2008: for more information see the Traffic Management Act 2004.