Charges apply between the hours of 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Saturday including Bank Holiday Mondays. An all day charge of £1 will be is applicable on Sundays.
The Council’s car parks (with the exception of East Street) are open for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Have plenty of change for the machine before you set out (some older machines may not take £2 coins). Ticket machines do not give change.
Read the information on the front of the machine or tariff board to ensure you are paying the correct amount as these vary between car parks and are subject to change.
Ensure that the ticket is clearly visible on your vehicle before leaving.
Leave plenty of time to get back to your vehicle as the Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO's) will have no information with regards to why you have been delayed, and a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued. A PCN will only be cancelled under specific circumstances.
If the pay and display machine is out of order please use the other machines within the same car park/street if available. If another machine is not available then you can use the Pay by Phone service. You can report a broken machine by calling:
- 01325 388799 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm) (Thursday 9.30am to 4.30pm) Customer Services Helpline
- 01325 388578 (Mon to Sat 7.00am to 8.30am and 4.30pm - 6.00pm) CCTV operated helpline.
It is advisable to check signs before parking on the street. There is at least one Pay and Display ticket machine located in each designated street. Details of charges can be found on the machine.
Delivery vehicles can park without charge as long as they are actively loading/unloading to an adjacent property.
There are various free spaces within the town centre car parks dedicated to motorcyclists, view the car parks page for more information.
Motorcycles parked elsewhere within a car park must pay the appropriate fee. You must keep the pay and display ticket.
Parking a vehicle in a space intended for a motorcycle may result in a penalty charge notice.
You must park their vehicles within the boundaries of the parking bay. If your vehicle does not fit within the bays provided then alternative parking must be found. If any part of your vehicle is outside the marked bay then a penalty charge notice will be issued. Parking out of bay can be a hazard to other motorists and pedestrians and can also prevent other motorists from getting a parking space.
Disabled bays are marked with yellow hatched areas on either one side or both sides of the bay. These areas have been marked to give extra room for disabled drivers/passengers to get in and out of their vehicles. Drivers are not permitted to park over into the hatched areas as this could cause an obstruction to other users of the car park.
Double yellow lines along the edge of the road mean no waiting at any time. However you may stop while passengers get into or out of the vehicle and to load or unload, unless there are also loading restrictions.
For more information regarding parking on double or single yellow lines, refer to the council Civil Parking Enforcement Procedures [pdf document]
Crossing points are provided where older people, disabled people, wheelchair users and people with prams and pushchairs should be able to cross safely and conveniently, without obstruction.
Inconsiderate parking obstructs these crossing points. It is a safety hazard and is also an offence.
It is illegal for any vehicle other than a Hackney Carriage to park on a taxi rank.
However, in some cases ranks may only be specified for taxis at specific times. It is therefore advisable to refer to the signs
Situated next to the Dolphin Centre entrance.
Powered and unpowered wheelchairs and escorts are available to help disabled shoppers. Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am – 5.00 pm (For further information, please telephone 01325 489999). Parking for Shopmobility is available under the Town Hall Council Chamber.