Motorists will no longer be able to park for free as the council has scrapped the incentive. 

Previously, motorists were able to enjoy 60 minutes free parking at Central Car Park in Basingstoke.

But Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has now removed the offer - as it introduces Sunday parking charges. 

This means motorists will have to pay for parking 24 hours a day seven days a week at Central Car Park short stay, with the exception of public holidays.

Hourly daytime charges now apply between 8am and 7pm with an evening charge applying any time after 7pm until 8am.

The new charges are:

  • up to one hour £1.00
  • up to 2 hours £2.10
  • up to 3 hours £3.10
  • up to 4 hours £4.10
  • Over 4 hours £12.40

The evening charge between 7 PM to 8 AM is £2.10.

If you park here any time before 7 PM and stay after 7 PM you must add £2.10 to the daytime charge.

The changes were agreed by the council’s cabinet on 12 November 2019 and were due to be implemented on 1 April 2020 but they were postponed due to COVID-19.

The new charges have been in effect since Thursday 9 July.

One hour of free parking is still available at Albert’s Yard, Caston’s Yard, Jacob’s Yard and Feather’s Yard.

Feather’s Yard will soon be for the use of electric vehicles only with the EV charging hub, the first of its kind in the county.

The council has said that Sunday charges have been introduced as this day of the week is now one of the busiest shopping days.

Councillor Hayley Eachus, cabinet member for environment and enforcement, has said ‘the council is committed to supporting local businesses located in the top of town’.

She added: “Prices are consistent with Festival Place and shoppers now have a simplified tariff structure across the week, reflecting that Sunday is now one of the busiest shopping days.

“We are also continuing our investment in our car parks and all income generated from parking charges is used to improve traffic management and parking facilities across the borough as well as subsidising public transport.

“We have recently refurbished central car park and work is now starting on the creation of a new electric vehicle charging hub in feathers yard, the first of its kind in the county, supporting our climate emergency targets and providing motorists with more opportunities to move towards more sustainable methods of transport.”