City to weigh grant-backed trial for free after-3pm stays
Peterborough City Council is set to decide on Tuesday whether to proceed with a time‑limited trial offering free parking after 15:00 at selected city centre car parks. The proposal is backed by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), which has offered £891,667 to help launch the scheme and compensate for lost income during the trial period.
The plan stems from a commitment made last year by Bristow, who allocated £1.5 million from his budget to support free parking initiatives in both Peterborough and Huntingdonshire. CPCA has always framed the measure as a trial to be evaluated for its impact on city centres, including footfall and the early evening economy. If councillors give the green light, officials indicate the offer could begin as soon as August.
Financial implications for the council
Council papers state that Peterborough operates 11 off‑street car parks, most of which currently levy charges between 07:00 and 20:00, seven days a week. Together, these sites bring in approximately £2.7 million per year. Officers estimate the council would forgo around £544,118 annually if the free-after-3pm proposal is implemented across the four car parks earmarked for the trial.
While the CPCA grant is designed to offset a substantial share of that loss during the pilot, the council will still need to consider operational adjustments and potential behavioural changes, such as shifts in demand from earlier in the day to late afternoon and evening. The decision therefore balances short-term revenue pressures against the prospect of strengthening the city centre’s offer at quieter times.
| CPCA grant on offer | £891,667 |
| Estimated annual income foregone | £544,118 |
| Council car parks | 11 (off‑street) |
| Typical charging hours | 07:00–20:00, Mon–Sun |
| Possible start date | August |
Rationale behind the trial
Supporters of the proposal argue that removing afternoon charges could make it easier and more attractive to head into the city after work or at weekends, benefiting retailers, hospitality and cultural venues that rely on early evening footfall. As Bristow has previously put it:
"Free parking after 15:00 means more people choosing to come into the city for an evening out, to shop, to eat and to support the businesses that make Peterborough worth visiting."
The CPCA has said from the outset that outcomes will be monitored. Metrics could include usage levels in participating car parks, variation in dwell time, and the indirect effects on trade within the core retail and leisure areas. The time‑limited nature of the trial is central to that test‑and‑learn approach.
What residents and businesses should know
If the plan is approved, full details of participating sites, enforcement times and any signage changes would be announced before the launch. For now, standard charging remains in place across council‑run sites until any official start date is confirmed.
- The offer would apply after 15:00 at four council car parks during the trial period.
- Normal tariffs would still apply before 15:00 and at any non‑participating council or private car parks.
- The scheme would be subject to ongoing evaluation by the council and CPCA to assess impact on the city centre.
Local traders and venue operators are likely to watch the decision closely. Reduced parking costs late in the day could dovetail with theatre performances, cinema screenings and the evening dining rush, while also easing access for families and visitors during school holidays.
Balancing accessibility and revenue
With parking revenue helping to fund transport and city management functions, the debate is not simply about price but about what kind of city centre Peterborough wants to encourage in the late afternoon and evening. The headline figures highlight the trade-off: a potential £544,118 in annual income foregone at the trial locations versus the opportunity to stimulate a post‑3pm recovery in footfall. The £891,667 CPCA grant is intended to underwrite the trial stage so that the council and businesses can judge the real‑world effects before any longer‑term decision is made.
Residents can expect further updates following Tuesday’s meeting. Should the plan proceed, details on signage, participating car parks and the trial’s start date will be publicised in advance to minimise confusion and ensure drivers understand where and when the new arrangements apply.
