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What does Civil Parking Enforcement mean?

The 2004 Traffic Management Act permits highway authorities to apply to the Secretary of State to become a Civil Enforcement Area (CEA). Once a CEA application is approved, the power to enforce parking, loading and waiting restrictions passes from the Police to the Local Authority.

Cheshire County Council took over responsibility for enforcing parking, loading and waiting restrictions from Cheshire Police on the 21 January 2008 in Crewe/Nantwich, on the 14 May 2008 in Macclesfield and on the 8 January 2009 in Chester/Ellesmere Port & Neston. The Borough/City Councils undertake enforcement as agents to the County Council using their own Civil Enforcement Officers to enforce on-street parking as well as in their car parks.

From these dates, illegal parking on the street is no longer classed as criminal offences and has become civil contraventions. The Civil Enforcement Officers will issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to any vehicle parking illegally.


For further detailed information about Civil Parking Enforcement in your area please use the links below:

Chester    - Chester City Council    Telephone: 01244 402633

Crewe and Nantwich   - Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council    Telephone: 01270 505334

Ellesmere Port and Neston   - Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council    Telephone: 0151 356 6789

Macclesfield   - Macclesfield Borough Council    Telephone: 01625 504706