Hereford car park charges to rise, along with free offer

Herefordshire Council’s car parks will give the public 30 minutes’ free parking across the county from April.

The council intends that its “Pop and Shop” scheme will make short, local trips easier and boost footfall in the county’s shops, cafés and services.

But there will be increases of 8-10 per cent in parking charges beyond that, Cabinet member for finance Coun Pete Stoddart told colleagues.

Outlining measures to increase revenue to produce a balanced budget for 2026/27, he said the rise would amount to around 15 pence an hour.

Less central, longer‑stay car parks used mainly by local residents and workers will retain relatively lower rates than the central, higher‑turnover car parks mostly used by visitors, he explained.

Most of the county’s public car parks are owned by Herefordshire Council. The measures do not apply to on‑street metered parking.

It says season tickets will continue to offer around a 57 per cent discount for regular users compared with daily charges, supporting affordable options for local workers.

Council parking tariffs have remained static since 2023, but it says the scale of the financial challenge it now faces, requiring £20 million of savings across its services, “means all areas of the budget, including parking, now require review”.

Backing the move, Cabinet member for roads and regulatory services Coun Barry Durkin said: “We know the council is facing significant financial challenges, but we are determined to protect essential services while still delivering on our commitments and helping to support the local economy.

He said car parking revenue “helps fund well‑maintained and accessible parking facilities, supports sustainable transport options such as cycle parking and ensures a healthy turnover of spaces that benefits local businesses“.