Nottingham car parking charges to rise by up to 25 per cent in attempt to ease congestion

Car parking charges – both on and off-street – are due to rise in Nottingham, some by as much as 25 per cent. Motorists who use dozens of streets across the city, as well as car parks such as Broad Marsh, Trinity Square and Lace Market, will be affected by the changes, which come as part of Nottingham City Council’s review of parking tariffs.

The authority, which declared effective bankruptcy last November, estimates the increases will generate £648,000 in revenue and said the changes were made to encourage a higher turnover of spaces. The prices across all three on-street parking zones, which are determined by their proximity to the centre, will be raised.

The hourly rate for Zone 1, which includes streets such as Plumptre Street, Broad Street and Lower Parliament Street in the city centre, will increase from £2.40 to £2.80. Zone 2 will rise by 25 per cent from £1.20 to £1.50, affecting motorists who use the likes of Derby Road, Castle Boulevard and The Ropewalk.

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Meanwhile Zone 3, which includes Peel Street in the Arboretum and Crocus Street in the Meadows, will rise to 80p from 60p. In documents posted on the city council’s website, the new prices for the car parks were not disclosed, however the changes are said to affect Trinity Square, Lace Market, Broad Marsh, Nottingham Castle, Curzon Street, and Sneinton Market Square car parks.

The city council said that car parks were regularly reaching full capacity due to the return of “economic vibrancy” after the Covid pandemic, which was causing “growing queues” for spaces and congestion in the city. It said this meant it would focus on “medium-stay retail and leisure customers”.

“It is therefore important that the council prioritises medium-stay retail and leisure customers into the Council’s off-street car parks to maximise the value of the relatively small number of spaces compared to the 35.6 million visitors to Nottingham and Nottinghamshire each year,” read documents.

A general view of a car park information sign in Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham city centre.

“The alterations to tariff prices aim to encourage medium stays of 4-6 hours within car parks and ensure that parking does not undercut active, shared or public transport for longer visits into the city centre.”

The council, which operates 2,500 of the city’s 9,330 car park spaces, said the plans were also in keeping with its plan to be a carbon neutral city by 2028. It added that surplus parking income would be reinvested back into parking, highways and public transport.

Studies have found that up to 74 per cent of traffic on city centre streets is from people ‘cruising’ for a parking space, the council said. “The management of on-street parking to reduce ‘cruising’ for spaces is a key factor in addressing the climate crisis and improving the experiences of Nottingham’s residents and visitors.

“It is important that turnover of spaces is encouraged to ensure the continued economic vibrancy of Nottingham city centre.” Nottingham City council has been approached for comment.