On street parking is available within marked bays. There are various types of parking bays for different users. Please see below the different types of bays available and the uses of these bays.
Types of parking bay
Resident/pay-and-display bays
In these bays you may park while displaying a Resident Permit, a pay-and-display ticket, a Visitor Voucher or a Disabled Badge.
Permit only bays
In a few areas pay-and-display tickets cannot be purchased and parking is restricted to holders of permits, Visitor Vouchers or Disabled Badges only.
Special bays
There are a variety of bays reserved for specific road users, such as Blue Badge Holders, motorcycles, buses/coaches, and taxis and should only be used by the appropriate user.
Misuse of a specific parking bay may result in the issue of a PCN to your vehicle.
On street parking charges
Length of the parking period and the tariff that this will incur:
- Up to 30 minutes: £0.90
- Up to 1 hour: £1.50
- Up to 2 hours: £2.20
- Up to 3 hours: £4.20
- Up to 4 Hours: £6.60
- Over 4 Hours (all day): £8.80
If you are using a machine that accepts coins, they will accept 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins. The machines do not give change.
Parking charges apply 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday including Bank Holidays.
Pay for your parking with your smartphone
You can now pay for parking in Bedford Borough using the PayByPhone app. This convenient, cashless parking solution is designed to make your parking experience quicker, easier, and more flexible.
Why use PayByPhone?
- Quick and secure: pay for parking in seconds using your mobile phone.
- Stay informed: receive reminders before your session ends.
- Extend parking remotely: add more time without returning to your vehicle (where applicable).
How to get started
- Download the PayByPhone app from your app store (Android or Apple Store).
- Enter the location code displayed on parking signs in Bedford Borough.
- Choose the duration of your stay and confirm your payment.
See PayByPhone.co.uk for more information.
Maximum stay
Pay and display bays within the CPZ have an allocated parking time allowance applied.
There are signs within the street advising motorists what the maximum parking period is within the specific bay. Please observe the signs. If you believe that you duration of stay will be longer than that which is permitted within the parking bay, then we advise that you find an alternative parking space or car park. You are not permitted to extend your duration of stay by purchasing another ticket.
Motorcycle parking
Motorcycle parking is free of charge and without time limit within any council owned car park or on-street pay-and-display parking bay. We request that motorcycles be parked perpendicular to the kerb subsequently using minimal parking space.
Disabled badge holder parking
Disabled badge holders may park free of charge and without time limit within any council owned car park (pay-and-display bay or disabled bay only) or within on-street parking bays (pay-and-display, permit only or disabled bays). However, clocks must be displayed to show your time of arrival if a bay has a time limit.
Contact Bedford Parking Services
Email: parking.services@bedford.gov.uk
Parking Services
Bedford Borough Council
PO BOX 1494
Bedford
MK40 9EA