Following a review of fees relating to parking and traffic management, as part of the council’s budget, the cost of on-street parking in Cambridge will increase slightly to help with inflation as well as encourage people to make more sustainable travel choices.

A small increase is being in introduced for all pay and display parking sites, including Shire Hall and Castle Court and resident, business and visitor permit fees operated by Cambridgeshire County Council.

The council hopes the changes will help demand in the city and encourage the use of greener travel options, such as the Park & Ride, Guided Busway, other forms of public transport and active travel.

As a result of the changes, on-street pay and display parking charges will increase by 20p in Cambridge city centre. This will come into effect on 12 March 2024. The new permit charges will increase, on average, by around £8, depending on the zone as some operate seven days a week. This will come into effect from 1 April 2024. Letters will be sent to residents with more information. 

Last month, as part of the council’s budget proposals, members of the Highways and Transport Committee agreed to review the fees relating to parking and traffic management to encourage sustainable modes of transport. The income will be used to fund delivery of highways and transport services across the county.

Vice-chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, Cllr Neil Shailer, said: “This decision has been made to stay in line with the costs of running our parking services and we haven’t increased resident, business and visitor permit fees for two years. We hope that these small changes will also have a positive impact by encouraging people to shift to greener and more sustainable travel. That’s why I’d continue to encourage everyone to make active travel choices or use other forms of transport including the Park & Ride services.”