Free Parking Boost for Bedford Town Centre

Mayor Dave Hodgson has announced plans for an extension to the free parking offer in Bedford Town Centre, in support of local shoppers and traders.

The proposals, which will go to a meeting of Mayor Dave's Executive tomorrow, retain and extend the Mayor's Free Parking Deal, Bedford's flagship offer which gives shoppers two hours' free parking on Saturdays in town centre council car parks, alongside all day free parking on Sunday.

It is further proposed that from January 2017 Queen Street Multi-Storey Car Park will offer two hours free parking through the week, from Monday to Saturday.

In the face of rising costs and massive cuts to Council funding, it has not been possible to avoid proposals for any increase in charges. However, the introduction of free parking through the week at Queen Street will ensure a free parking option for motorists at all times, while the increases which are proposed are as little as 10p - 20p an hour in almost all cases.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "In the face of punishing cuts from central government we are set to maintain our Free Parking Deal and offer town centre parking designed to ensure Bedford businesses and the local economy can continue to thrive. We want to support shoppers and businesses, with plans which ensure that there are free parking options available throughout the week."

"The council maintains a broad selection of car parks which allow local residents to easily access all that the town centre has to offer including shopping, leisure and culture, and the beautiful Embankment. Despite massive cuts in our funding and rising costs we are doing all we can to make sure the price of parking remains reasonable and more people than ever visit Bedford town centre."

If approved by the Council's Executive at its meeting on Wednesday 30th November, the proposals are due to come into force on 1st January 2017.