Goose Fair Parking Fines Doubled as Nottingham Warns Drivers

Nottingham Goose Fair Visitors Warned as Parking Fines Soar

Goose Fair Parking Fines Doubled as Nottingham Warns Drivers Over Restrictions Drivers heading to Nottingham's Goose Fair are being urged to check parking restrictions before travelling after figures showed the number of fines issued around the event doubled last year. The annual fair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, but parking is not permitted on nearby residential streets, with temporary restrictions in place around the Forest Recreation Ground. Goose Fair parking fines rise sharply A Freedom of Information request to Nottingham City Council found that 877 parking fines were issued at the Goose Fair site and surrounding roads in 2025. That compared with 447 fines in 2024, 469 in 2023 and 463 in 2022. The fines issued in 2025 had generated £20,370 for the council by 12 November that year. The council said the increase reflected a change in the event's operating model, although it did not provide further details when asked about the change. More parking enforcement during Goose Fair The council said additional staff had been trained to carry out parking enforcement throughout the event. It said this increased its capacity to enforce temporary restrictions introduced to manage traffic, maintain access for emergency services and reduce disruption for nearby residents. The authority also said it recognised the impact Goose Fair can have on surrounding communities and had continued to review its arrangements based on feedback from previous years. For this year's event, Nottingham City Council has warned that parking restrictions around the fair will be strictly enforced, with more patrols taking place. Drivers urged to plan ahead Goose Fair began on Friday and will run until 4 October, giving visitors several days to plan how they will travel to the event. The council has published a list of roads affected by parking restrictions and is encouraging visitors to plan ahead and use public transport wherever possible. Blue Badge holders can park at Forest Recreation Ground, where the fair is being held, but other visitors are not permitted to park on the site. Public transport options may also require additional planning this year, with tram services affected by strikes during two of the fair's weekends. For drivers unfamiliar with Nottingham, checking the restricted roads before setting off could help avoid an unexpected parking fine. The figures also show how quickly parking enforcement can increase during major events, particularly where temporary restrictions are introduced around residential areas and busy public spaces.