The council’s enforcement contractor, NSL, has already begun the process of hiring 16 new Civil Enforcement Officers.
Enfield Council has announced an increase in parking and traffic penalty charges across London from 7 April 2025, a move aimed at improving road safety and reducing congestion. The council has welcomed the rise, stating that the revenue from penalty charge notices (PCNs) will help fund essential traffic management services, including the recruitment of additional Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs).
The council’s enforcement contractor, NSL, has already begun the process of hiring 16 new CEOs. These officers will be deployed to patrol Enfield’s streets more frequently—on foot, in vehicles, and on mopeds—ensuring that drivers adhere to parking regulations. Enforcement will also be extended to evenings and bank holidays to prevent illegal parking that obstructs roads and pedestrian access.
Reinvesting in Transport and Safety
PCN revenue not only funds enforcement operations but is also reinvested into traffic and transport schemes, including concessionary fares such as the Freedom Pass. The additional officers will support Enfield’s commitment to maintaining safe and accessible streets for all road users.
“We will jointly lobby the government with other London councils for a change in rules which restricts us from using CCTV for general parking enforcement except in certain cases such as red routes, bus stops or school keep-clear markings.”
Rick Jewell, cabinet member for transport and waste
Cllr Rick Jewell, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Waste, stressed that law-abiding drivers would not be affected by the changes. “The majority of drivers abide by the rules and will therefore not feel any impact at all. The charges are in place to make our roads safer, reduce congestion and keep the borough moving, and most drivers respect that,” he said.
However, he issued a stern warning to those who continue to ignore parking restrictions. “For those who park in cycle lanes, stop on zig-zag markings, park on the footway blocking pedestrian access, or on yellow lines preventing waste teams from accessing roads to empty bins – you have been warned. We are going to have more officers patrolling our streets, and they will issue you with a PCN if you are found breaking the rules.”
Lobbying for Expanded CCTV Use
Enfield Council is also advocating for changes to parking enforcement regulations. At present, general parking enforcement can only be carried out by on-the-ground CEOs, except in specific cases such as red routes, bus stops, or school keep-clear markings where CCTV is permitted. Cllr Jewell described this restriction as “counterproductive” and called on the government and the Mayor of London to review the rules to improve enforcement efficiency.
The increase in PCN charges, approved by London Councils on 17 March, marks the first rise since 2011. It is seen as a necessary measure to deter inconsiderate and dangerous parking across London. All 32 London boroughs, along with the City of London, will introduce the new fees following approval from the Mayor and no objections from the Secretary of State for Transport.
