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Car parking charges

Date Posted: 1:55 PM on Wed, 27 March 2024 Car park in Arnot Hill Park

Gedling Borough Council to continue offering free two-hour parking in town centres to support local economy

Gedling Borough Council has announced its commitment to supporting local businesses by continuing to provide two hours of free parking in all of its pay and display car parks in town centres.

The proposal comes as part of the council's ongoing efforts to strike a balance between generating necessary income and supporting local economic growth. By maintaining the two-hour free parking provision, the council aims to minimise the impact on residents and visitors while safeguarding the vitality of local shopping centres.

The proposed changes, outlined in a report published today, include adjustments to the charging tariff for parking beyond two hours which will see the long stay charges increase from £1 to £2 for 4 hours, the first increase in 10 years. However, the provision of two hours of free parking remains unchanged, demonstrating the council's commitment to supporting the community.

Gedling Borough Council is one of only a few councils to continue offering free parking in its town centres. It is also investing in several electric car park charging stations at various car parks and new cycle hubs at key sites as part of its commitment to reduce CO2 emissions. The proposed increase in charging also aligns with the council's broader environmental sustainability goals, encouraging active travel and public transport use.

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said

"We recognise the importance of free parking in our town centres, particularly for our local businesses and residents. Our proposal ensures that visitors have access to two hours of free parking while also generating necessary income to support essential services.

We know how vital it is for businesses and residents to have free parking in our town centres and while we will continue to provide this essential service, we are also encouraging more people to shop locally, use public transport and reduce their carbon emissions, which is why we are also investing in electric vehicles charging points in several car parks in the borough.”