Parking charges to be reintroduced in Northampton’s multi-storey car parks by the end of the month

Parking charges across Northampton’s multi-storeys will be reintroduced at the end of the month.

The charges were suspended at all Northampton Borough Council car park at the end of March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Free parking was introduced at car parks including Mayorhold and St Michaels to make sure key workers could carry out their duties and anyone who had a need to visit the town could do so.

But as lockdown eases and businesses reopen, the charges will be reimplemented on Monday June 29.

The council has said if the charges are not reintroduced, the lack of funds might start to affect vital services.

Cllr Jonathan Nunn, Northampton Borough Council Leader, said: “We suspended charges just as Coronavirus was taking a grip on the country, to ensure all those involved in the response were able to go about their business freely.

“At that time, we took the decision to remove charges altogether, so everyone would benefit if they had cause to visit Northampton town centre.

“Now that lockdown restrictions are easing, we will be reintroducing our standard charges in all of our car parks, but for the next two weeks visitors to the town centre are still able to park free of charge.

“Much as we might like to consider extending free parking further, our available funds have already been significantly impacted and if we don’t reintroduce charges at this stage there’s a danger it will begin impacting on other vital services.”

Daily parking charges, annual season tickets, town centre residents and commuter permits will be back in action, although NHS workers will still be able to park for free.

NHS staff will be asked to park in either Midsummer Meadow or St Michael’s car parks.

Charges for on-street parking in Northampton, which is controlled by Northamptonshire County Council, were reintroduced on Monday (June 15).

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