New car park charging proposals target congestion and pollution

Parking charges in Cambridge’s car parks are to change from April as part of the council’s plan to tackle congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions.

The new charges have been agreed following consultation with city centre stakeholders, but are still subject to approval of the council’s overall budget in February.

The changes, which would take effect from 1 April, are set to include a charge to encourage drivers to switch to other modes of transport to access the city centre during the very busy period between 8am and 10am.

This will support Cambridgeshire County Council’s plans to end charging for cars at its Park and Ride sites.

Other car parking initiatives include: freezing prices at Castle Hill, Adam and Eve, Riverside and Gwydir Street pay and display car parks; ending last year’s trial in which prices on Mondays and Tuesdays at all multi-story car parks were reduced in line with 2012 prices and on Wednesdays, Thursdays Fridays and Saturdays where they were frozen at 2015; and introducing a peak time congestion tariff for a trial period of 12 months.

In the last year, the council has invested £2.1 million into its car parks including essential improvements to surfaces, structure and drainage.

Other improvements have included new energy saving LED lighting at four car parks to reduce their carbon footprint, and new signage to deliver improved pedestrian safety.

Kevin Blencowe, executive councillor for planning policy and transport, said: “Our parking strategy aims to reduce congestion, improve air quality and maintain value for money for short stay parking.

“We want to encourage motorists to use the Park and Ride sites rather than city centre multi-storey car parks and that is why we plan to introduce charges that disincentivise driving in to the centre.

“We have invested in our car parks and demonstrated that we provide customers with a good service. Now, we need a fair pricing structure that will help to tackle congestion and reduce air pollution.”