FREE Parking is still available in short-stay district car parks around Plymouth

Despite rumours on social media, Plymouth City Council can confirm that free parking will not be impacted by the installation of new parking terminals in short-stay district car parks.

Last week, the Council announced that new terminals are being installed in short-stay district car parks to help ensure that free spaces continue to be available for shoppers and support local businesses. The new terminals are in response to concerns that some people are overstaying their ‘free time’ allocation and in some cases staying all day. The terminals will simply ensure that people check-in when they arrive and leave at their allotted time.  This will ensure a regular turnover of spaces.

Over the past few days there has been a lot of misinformation on social media regarding the plans, with some people speculating that the machines are signalling the end of the free parking arrangements. This is not the case.

Councillor Richard Bingley, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Having the ability to park for free for a short period of time is a vital to keep our district shopping centres alive. But we do need to ensure that people do not abuse this benefit and overstay their allotted time. It isn’t fair on other local shoppers and it isn’t fair on our local businesses.

“The new terminals will simply be a way for drivers to check in. We have had similar arrangements in place at the Crownhill car park for over ten years and it works really well.

“I know that there has been some confusion and a lot of unhelpful misinformation online. So I will be clear – the free parking that is currently available in district car parks is not being reduced or removed. It is being protected.”

The new terminals are being installed at: Alexandra Road, Plymstock Broadway, Church Street, Deans Cross, Haye Road South, Marlborough Street, Morice Street, Mudge Way North, Plympton Ridgeway and West Park car parks. They will be live by April 2023.

Signs will be placed in each car park to let drivers know when the terminals are due be activated and we will be writing to nearby businesses to let them know what is happening and when.

Parking officers will also be on hand when the system goes live in each car park to help explain the new arrangements.

The decision to introduce the new system was made at the Cabinet meeting on 10 November, as part of a range of changes to modernise and simplify parking arrangements in the city. This followed public consultation from 19 August to 10 September.

Free parking available in district car parks in the city:

Frequently asked questions

What are we doing? Why have parking meters appeared?

We are introducing new systems which require motorists to undertake a simple registration to obtain their free parking. 

Are we removing or reducing any free parking?

No. None of these changes are removing the existing free parking which, in most locations, has been in place for over 20 years.

Why are we doing it?

We are aware that some motorists overstay the allocated free parking times.  The impact of this is that this can make it difficult for other shoppers to find available parking, ultimately impacting on local shops and businesses.

This is not new and is currently used in other areas of the city which has resulted in making it easier for shoppers and visitors to find available parking to support local businesses.

When will it start?

We plan to roll out the changes from March 23 and expect to be completed in April 23. We will be rolling out the changes car park by car park.

Did we consult people on this?

Yes.  On 7 July 22 the Council approved for consultation to be undertaken on these proposed changes.  Consultation was undertaken for a period of 21 days, from 19 August through to 10 September; the changes were also subject to media coverage.

On the 10 November the Council decided, having considered all representations received through the consultation, to implement the changes at the district car parks.

How does it work?

People will be required to register for their free parking using the new terminals.  Instructions will guide people through this simply process which is the same as already in use in the city. 

The terminals will not issue a paper ticket meaning you do not need to return to your car to display anything.  This also means that the machines can be located at convenient locations that people would have to walk past on leaving the car parks.

What are my options if I need to park for longer?

You cannot stay beyond the maximum stay periods in the short stay car parks which are primarily there to support local businesses that rely on frequent turnover of cars/passing trade. Some district car parks offer long stay parking, some of this parking is free and some of this parking is chargeable.  We are not making any changes to long stay parking where it has always been available.

I am a Blue Badge Holder, do these changes apply to me?

Yes.  You will be required to register for your free parking session.  The terminals which have been installed are the same as those used in our other disabled car parks. We recognise that some blue badge holders may need longer to go about their business.  We will therefore be affording blue badge holders (who correctly display a blue badge) an additional hour of parking as a reason adjustment i.e. if the maximum stay is 2 hours, a blue badge holder will be afforded 3 hours.

What will we be doing to help people?

We will ensure local businesses are aware of the start date for each car park and we will have staff on hand to help and support people with the changes.  We will also continue to update the information we have displayed in the car parks in respect to when people can expect the changes to happen.

What happens if you don’t register for free parking?

Once the new system is operational, if someone does not register for their free session or, if someone overstays the maximum stay time, the vehicle will be liable to a fixed penalty charge notice.