Guildford Car Park Price Rises Confirmed

Published on: 26 Jan, 2022
Updated on: 27 Jan, 2022

Castle Car Park, Sydenham Road

By Emily Coady-Stemp

local democracy reporter

The price of parking your car in Guildford will rise from April, with the exception of a “shopper” tariff on some car parks which is being delayed.

The increase in prices is being made while the council aims to raise more money to maintain and improve car parks, support the council’s budget, and encourage people to use other forms of transport.

Guildford Borough Council’s executive committee meeting on Tuesday (25 January) approved the price rises.

Cllr Tony Rooth

Cllr Tony Rooth (R4GV, Pilgrims) described the council as being “between a rock and a parking space” on the price increases, which his party leader and council leader Joss Bigmore (R4GV Christchurch) adjudged “the worst possible pun” he had heard in the chamber.

But the problem was a difficult one, Cllr Rooth pointed out, because off-street parking is a major revenue stream for the council: “And we need to keep that revenue stream coming in, especially in the current challenging financial circumstances.”

Cllr Joss Bigmore

A public apology was made to Experience Guildford, the town’s business improvement district, for a lack of engagement on the impact of the “shopper” tariff. Its introduction has now been delayed to July 1 to allow the council to offer support to businesses and shoppers after the end of the current Coronavirus restrictions.

Cllr Bigmore said he had met with Experience Guildford’s chief executive, Amanda Masters, and had personally apologised to her on behalf of the council for a lack of engagement on the proposed changes.

Amanda Masters

He said: “I think it was poor. I think we probably all assumed it had been done and no one bothered to check.

“So I add my public apology to Experience Guildford.”

The “shopper” tariff increase will affect the car parks at Bedford Road, Castle, and York Road multi-storey car parks as well as at GLive, Millbrook and Tunsgate.

Prices will increase from £3.00 for less than three hours, £6.00 for three to six hours and £12 for more than six hours to £3.60, £7.20 and £14.40 for the same time periods.

A “short-stay” tariff which ranges from £1.30 and £1.50 per hour currently will be consolidated into one rate and increase to £1.80 per hour for less than three hours and £2.30 per hour for more than three hours.

The “short-stay” tariff affects Bedford surface, Bright Hill, Commercial Rd 2, High Street, Leapale Road multi-storey car park, Old Police Station, and on Saturdays only would apply to Lawn Road, Millmead House, Portsmouth Rd , Robin Hood and St Joseph’s Church.

Other changes include to evening and Sunday parking rates.

All changes except to the “shopper” rates will come into force on April 1.

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