A trial offering free parking at four central Peterborough car parks began on Monday after the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor provided almost £900,000 to fund the scheme.
Which car parks are included and how the trial will work
Drivers will be able to park without charge on weekdays after 15:00 in the following off‑street car parks:
- Bishops Road
- Car Haven
- Riverside
- Pleasure Fair Meadow
The trial will continue until the end of March 2028. Peterborough City Council operates 11 off‑street car parks across the city, most of which currently apply charges between 07:00 and 20:00.
Funding, expected cost and political context
The funding was offered by Paul Bristow, the Conservative mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and accepted by the council last month. Mr Bristow campaigned on measures to boost town and city centres and earlier committed money in his budget for free parking schemes in the area.
"The city centre needs a lift," said the mayor, adding that a busier high street and more people choosing to come into the city for an evening out would be good for businesses and the local economy.
Council figures indicate that parking income generates about £2.7m a year for the authority. The council has estimated the free‑parking policy could reduce annual income by up to £550,000, although that shortfall is being backfilled by the mayoral funding for the duration of the trial.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| City council off‑street car parks | 11 |
| Typical annual parking income | £2.7m |
| Estimated potential annual loss from free parking | £550,000 |
| Mayor’s funding for the trial | Nearly £900,000 |
Local responses and wider concerns
The Labour leader of the city council, Shabina Qayyum, welcomed the initiative but also flagged the need to continue supporting greener travel options. The council has said investment in schemes to promote walking, cycling and other active travel modes will continue during the trial.
Supporters say the move could help revive evening footfall, supporting hospitality and retail businesses that rely on late trade. Critics are likely to question whether cheaper parking will encourage car use at the expense of public transport and cycling, and whether the boost to the high street will justify long‑term reductions in parking revenue.
What this means for drivers and businesses
- Drivers: free parking after 15:00 on weekdays at the four named car parks until March 2028.
- Businesses: potential for increased evening custom if more people visit the city centre after work.
- Council finances: a projected shortfall being temporarily offset by mayoral funding while the trial runs.
The council will monitor the scheme’s impact over the coming months. Any decision on extending or rolling out similar measures elsewhere in the city or across the region would need to weigh evidence on footfall, business performance and transport patterns against the cost to public finances.
For now, Peterborough residents and visitors can expect a change to parking practice in the afternoons and evenings at the four car parks, as councillors and the combined authority watch for signs that the policy achieves its aim of breathing life into the city centre.
