Proposals to introduce a charge for parking on a number of roads around West Bridgford town centre have been approved for implementation.
This is the result of a review that initially began in December 2023.
The roads, and proposed changes are as follows:
Albert Road, Florence Road, Gordon Road, Gordon Square, Rectory Road (south) and Priory Road
Conversion of all existing limited waiting parking areas into short-stay 3 hours pay and display with 30 minutes free parking.
Bridgford Road
Conversion of existing free parking bays into long-stay pay and display bays (no upper daily limit) with 30 minutes free parking.
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Church Drive, Davies Road and Rectory Road (north).
Introduce new restrictions of short-stay 3 hours pay and display parking provision with 30 minutes free parking.
Fox Road and Hound Road
New long stay pay and display (no upper daily limit) / residents parking.
It was felt by Nottinghamshire County Council that the parking areas already available could be repurposed to make them more efficient, with the overall aim of increasing the number of parking ‘slots’ available. This will,it said, in turn, attract shoppers and those looking to enjoy the restaurants and cafés, with a view to ensuring the long-term vitality of the town.
In all locations, parking will be free for 30 minutes, subject to obtaining a parking ticket. In the central shopping area on Gordon Road, for example, the offer will remain at 30 minutes free, as it is now, whilst also offering the choice to pay for longer, to suit all visitors’ needs.
The charges for long and short-stay parking are detailed below. In all instances, the first half hour will be free of charge but a ticket will need to be displayed in the vehicle.
Short stay parking charges
8am – 8pm (All days) Max stay 3 hours, will be as follows:
0 – 30 mins Free
Up to 1 hr £1.50
Up to 2 hrs £2.50
Up to 3 hrs £3.50
Long stay parking charges
8am – 8pm, (All days) will be as follows:
0 – 30 mins Free
Up to 1 hr £1.50
Up to 2 hrs £2.50
Up to 3 hrs £3.50
Up to 4 hrs £4.50
Over 4 hours £6.00
Residents’ permit charge
£40 for either a residents’ or visitors’ permit. Free for Blue Badge holders or those over 75.
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Studies showed that there are limited spaces for visitors to the centre, and it was important to ensure the right mix of parking opportunities to meet their needs. In some areas, there are no restrictions at all, and commuter cars can park freely all day very close to the centre.
Consultation on the proposals began initially with local stakeholders on 30 July, and then fully with the public from 2 September. The consultation closed on 10 October 2024.
This will mean charges on 11 streets around the centre of West Bridgford, with those furthest away, such as Bridgford Road and Fox and Hound Roads, offering no limit on how long drivers can park while paying a charge. For those streets closer to the retail centre, a maximum stay of 3 hours will be implemented.
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Further proposals to help address some of the concerns raised during the consultation have also been included in the implementation plans.
For Fox and Hound Roads, where the spaces are immediately adjacent to residential properties, there will be a hybrid scheme with the option for residents to purchase a resident permit, which would exempt them from the charges.
For other roads where residents have no off-street parking options and it is already difficult to find a space, there will also be an evening parking dispensation offered. This will allow residents to park for free in the pay-and-display bays between 6pm and 9am and all day on Sunday. This will ensure that they have the option of using the on-street bays when they cannot park near their property at times when demand for shopping spaces will be lower.
Another main concern from some residents in areas immediately outside the affected streets was the potential for parking to be displaced into their residential areas.
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For this reason, surveys will be undertaken in all the adjacent residential areas 12 months after implementation to monitor any significant change in parking behaviour. This will enable a view to be formed as to whether further traffic management interventions are appropriate.
Blue Badge holders will not be impacted by the proposed changes to the restrictions, as they can continue to park without charge.
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We would like to thank all the residents, shoppers, local businesses, and partners for their feedback throughout the process of our on-street parking consultation.
“We are confident that increasing the number of parking ‘slots’ available in a day can help bring in a greater number of visitors to enjoy the retail and hospitality offers, which will ensure the long-term vitality of the town. Indeed, none of the businesses responding to the consultation objected to our plans. The 30-minute free parking will encourage that footfall, with people popping into West Bridgford for their shopping or services.
“Please be assured that we have listened. We will continue to monitor parking in the town centre and the wider area very closely and will measure this alongside the needs of residents.
“We will make sure all visitors to the town centre are made fully aware of the new parking regulations and will make it as straightforward as possible to park and obtain a ticket. There will be plenty of signage and promotion of the new charges, and our enforcement officers will also be on hand to support people parking in the area.
“I would also stress that Blue Badge users may continue to use the off-street parking at no charge.
“We are grateful for the support for the proposals from Nottinghamshire Police and Rushcliffe Borough Council, and we look forward to working alongside them as we communicate and implement the changes.”
It is anticipated that the new scheme will be in place by early next year, following the procurement and installation of pay-and-display machines, changes to signs and lines, and legal orders. These dates will be communicated well in advance.
