Following a thorough six-month trial period, Bedford Borough Council is pleased to announce the results of the trial of four-hour free parking in the town centre, aimed at encouraging more visitors to shops, markets, events and cultural attractions.
The trial, which started in August 2023, tested the concept of providing four hours of free parking at Allhallows Car Park. Additionally, overnight free parking was extended at both Allhallows and Lurke Street car parks until 8.30am.
"The results of the trial are encouraging and affirm our commitment to enhancing the vibrancy of Bedford's town centre," said Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Town Centres and Planning at Bedford Borough Council. "The increased footfall and positive feedback from businesses and visitors underscore the importance of initiatives that support our local economy."
The key findings of the trial, presented by the Chief Officer of Transport, Highways, and Engineering, Matthew, D’Archambaud, highlight a significant increase in car park usage by over 40,000 vehicles during the trial period, from August 2023 to January 2024, compared to the same period in 2022 and 2023. Importantly, this increase was not found to negatively impact elements such as public transport usage and air quality.
Councillor Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, and Transport at Bedford Borough Council, commented, "The trial has demonstrated the potential of free parking initiatives to drive economic activity while maintaining a sustainable transport ecosystem. It's crucial that we continue to monitor and evaluate the impact to ensure the long-term success of this strategy.
“Alongside other initiatives, such as £2 bus fares and secure cycle shelter, we are determined to make it as easy as possible for all residents to access Bedford town centre.”
Feedback from local stakeholders, including the Business Improvement District, local businesses, and visitors to the town centre, has been overwhelmingly positive. February 2024 saw an additional 15,080 cars using multi-storey car parks compared to February 2023, indicating sustained interest and engagement with the trial.
Based on the success of the trial, Bedford Borough Council has made several recommendations, including continuing four hours of free parking at Allhallows Car Park from April 2024, with potential consideration for extending the same provision to Lurke Street Car Park from October 2024.
Council members noted the importance of collecting more data under normal operating conditions, especially considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on shopping and working patterns, to make informed decisions about the continuation and expansion of the free parking initiative.
The Council remains committed to monitoring the impact of free parking on various aspects, including town centre travel patterns and air quality, to ensure the ongoing success and sustainability of the initiative.
Learn more about parking and public transport in Bedford Borough at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel.