The challenge
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has successfully managed its Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) services internally for several years. However, the recent introduction of new parking schemes throughout the borough, coupled with difficulties in maintaining the headcount of Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) to meet their desired coverage, prompted the Council to recognise the need for additional support for their in-house team. As a result, they initiated discussions with NSL to learn more about our CEO resilience service.Â
The solution
The Council required NSL to provide two City & Guilds-trained CEOs to integrate fully with their in-house team. The initial contract term was 12 months, with an option to extend should the Council need to.
NSL’s officers were bought in to focus mainly on evening and match-day enforcement at Blackburn Rovers FC – Ewood Park, as these events were known for poor compliance of parking restrictions, making it difficult and unsafe for those who live in the area.
NSL agreed to a deployed hours model with the Council, which means they will only be charged for actual hours that NSL officers are deployed, which reduced any financial risk to the Council. Â
The impact
Since commencing the service in January 2024, NSL’s officers have not only covered their costs but also demonstrated their value. The Council has subsequently increased officer headcount by four to provide extra coverage on evenings and match days at the football ground, which is testament to the positive impact of our partnership.
Through our additional deployment to cover match-day events at Ewood Park, we have contributed to improving the smooth running of fans’ travel to and from the stadium, while also increasing the availability of parking spaces; enhancing the overall fan experience and creating a positive community relationship with local residents and the Council.
With parking spaces appropriately utilised, the additional CEO support also benefits local businesses by ensuring customers and residents can travel to and access their premises more conveniently.
We provide our CEOs with high-level training to give them the knowledge and confidence they need to protect communities and themselves within their role.
Parking regulations are implemented to minimise road safety risks, ensure proper traffic flow and reduce congestion. With additional CEO support and extended enforcement hours, we can enhance road users’ understanding of the importance of parking compliance, creating a better environment for residents, businesses, visitors and football fans.
