Southampton City Council has continued its enhanced enforcement activity against drivers who repeatedly ignore parking regulations, carrying out targeted operations across the city to remove vehicles belonging to persistent offenders.

As part of the latest action on Wednesday 8 July, enforcement officers towed away a number of vehicles linked to drivers with outstanding Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) debts who continue to park illegally. Recently, focus has been on commercial vehicles parked in residential areas, where they can take up valuable parking spaces intended for permit holders and local residents.

This operation forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to keeping roads and parking spaces available for those who follow the rules and ensuring that persistent offenders are held to account. Similar enforcement activity has previously targeted vehicles with significant outstanding PCN debts, helping to free up parking spaces and reduce the impact of anti-social parking on local communities.

Since the start of the year, the enhanced enforcement targeting persistent offenders has removed 41 vehicles, freeing spaces and reducing hazards for local people who do abide by the rules.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The vast majority of people who drive park responsibly and follow the rules, but it is unfair when a small minority repeatedly ignore restrictions and make life more difficult and less safe for local people.

“We are taking a tougher approach to persistent offenders who think the rules do not apply to them. Where drivers continue to park illegally and fail to deal with their outstanding Penalty Charge Notices, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action, including removing vehicles from the highway.

“Our recent focus on commercial vehicles parked in residential areas is responding to concerns from residents who struggle to find parking close to their homes. By tackling problem parking, we are helping to keep spaces available for permit holders, improve access for local people and support safer, more considerate use of our streets.”

The council is reminding motorists that unpaid parking penalties can lead to further enforcement action. Drivers with outstanding PCN debts are encouraged to contact the council to discuss payment options before it gets to the threshold where their vehicles will be removed.

Our latest operation sends a clear message that persistent illegal parking will not be tolerated and that the council will continue to take action to protect parking availability, support residents and keep Southampton’s streets moving safely for everyone.