Civil Parking Enforcement
Civil parking enforcement (CPE) powers in Suffolk moved from the police, to Suffolk County Council, on 6 April 2020. This was done with the aim of decreasing unlawful parking.
These powers have been passed to district and borough authorities to enforce in their own areas. In Ipswich, this system has been in operation since 2005.
What is CPE?
CPE gives local authorities the power to enforce against illegal parking based on existing traffic regulations. This is with the aim of promoting better and safer parking.
This process means illegal parking becomes a civil offence.
It applies to both:
- on-street parking (roads and highways)
- off-street parking (public car parks run by the local authority)
Bad parking can impact local areas, delaying services such as waste collections.
Read more information about parking and no waiting restrictions in Suffolk
CPE plays an important role in keeping our roads safe. It keeps roads clear for priority vehicles like ambulances, police cars, fire engines, as well as waste trucks and other road traffic. It ensures that all traffic can move easily and avoid delays. In some cases, this could save someone’s life.
Traffic regulation orders
On-street traffic regulation orders (TROs) are made by Suffolk County Council (SCC).
You can find the TROs on SCC's interactive maps. Access SCC's map based traffic orders
Off-street TROs are made by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils.
Off-street traffic regulation orders
Babergh's current traffic regulation order
Mid Suffolk's current traffic regulation order
Annual CPE reports
Please access the links below to read our annual CPE report(s):
2021-22
2020-21
What are the benefits of CPE?
Benefits of CPE include:
- greater powers are given to local parking management, which helps keep traffic moving
- district and borough councils are empowered to make local decisions - alongside town and parish councils - about parking that suits their constituents and circumstances
- irresponsible and nuisance parking are tackled - which supports pedestrians, vulnerable road users, public transport services, drivers and emergency services
- parking fines will be spent in Suffolk, which means that local towns and parishes can benefit from improved local infrastructure
- new jobs will be created in the county to support parking management, patrols and enforcement
How will it be managed in my area?
In Babergh and Mid Suffolk, Ipswich Borough and West Suffolk Councils will manage CPE on our behalf.
To give a rough idea of boundaries, Hadleigh, Shotley and Needham Market will be managed by Ipswich Borough Council.
Sudbury, Stowmarket and Eye will be managed by West Suffolk Council.
Check which council covers where you live
I have recently received a Penalty Charge Notice
- I have a ticket issued by Ipswich Borough Council
- I have a ticket issued by West Suffolk Council
- I want to know more about how to request new or change existing parking regulations
Further guidance
You can apply for a season ticket for our car parks online
Visit the Parking section of our website for more information about parking in Babergh and Mid Suffolk.