Free parking will be coming to some car parks in Peterborough in a “time-limited trial” from August 3, the combined authority has confirmed.
Peterborough City Council’s cabinet yesterday (Tuesday July 21) accepted grant funding from the Combined Authority to deliver free parking in four council-owned car parks from 3pm.
The car parks covered by the scheme are Bishops Road, Car Haven, Riverside and Pleasure Fair Meadow.
They will be part of a time-limited trial between Monday and Friday which will run until March 2028, funded by £891,667 of the total Mayor’s budget.
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow said: "Free parking is happening this summer, and it's part of my work to regenerate and revive our city centre.
"The city centre needs a lift, and increased footfall, a busier high street and more people choosing to come into the city for an evening out will be great for local businesses and great for the local economy.
"Peterborough has a lot of potential, and free parking is one step towards getting our city thriving."
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: "Peterborough city centre has so much to offer in terms of shopping, places to eat and drink, visitor attractions such as our fantastic Cathedral, Museum, Key Theatre, and Lido.
“This free parking offer should encourage more people to see what our city has to offer.
"At the Cabinet meeting where members approved acceptance of this funding concerns were raised about the impact of this scheme on people using more environmentally friendly forms of transport and assurance was given that investment will continue in schemes which promote active travel."
The council said that the impact of the planned free parking will be monitored to assess the impact.
The free parking scheme is being proposed to support the evening economy, attract more visitors, support city centre businesses and attractions, and help local traders compete with out-of-town and online retailers.
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