New parking enforcement partnership to keep borough roads safe and clear
A renewed partnership between St Helens Borough Council and car parking service APCOA Parking UK Ltd will continue to keep the borough's road network safe and clear of illegal and inconsiderate parking.
Article date: 9 December 2025
A parking enforcement contract has been awarded jointly to APCOA by St Helens and Knowsley Borough Councils and can be extended up to ten years - with this cooperative long-term arrangement helping to cut reduce and streamline operational costs.
Delivered in a fair and transparent way, parking enforcement services can help to tackle congestion, support positive changes in travel behaviour, contribute to safer roads, and improve air quality. They can also support the delivery of council services through income generation.
In 2024/2025 the council received 441 requests for parking enforcement visits by concerned residents and businesses, and 69 requests for double yellow lines to be installed - reinforcing the need for an active and visible parking enforcement service.
The scope of the contract includes on-street and off-street parking enforcement issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in a range of council car parks and on-street parking locations, including residential permit areas, town centres and outlying areas, schools and clearways and potential red routes.
The new contract introduces enhanced flexibility in enforcement hours, extending coverage to evenings and weekends. It also enables the expansion of enforcement services across a broader range of locations within the borough.
Councillor Tracy Dickinson, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services, said: "Parking in breach of local highway restrictions can create congestion and result in real dangers for other road users, while avoiding fares at ticketed car parks and on-street parking locations is unfair to everyone else paying for their use.
"So it's important that we have a robust parking enforcement contract in place to deter illegal and inconsiderate parking, and keep our roads safe and clear."