Rochford District Council has announced plans to introduce a new 3-month trial offering 30 minutes of free parking in council owned pay and display car parks - with the exception of Hockley Woods and The Approach, Rayleigh.
This initiative is part of a wider effort to support local businesses, encourage people to our town centres, and make it easier for residents and visitors to access shops and services. Currently, the Council already offers free parking on Saturday afternoons after 1pm and all day on Sundays.
The trial will run from September through November, avoiding the school holiday and Christmas shopping periods to ensure a fair set of data is gathered. Data from the trial will be used to assess how the scheme affects visitor numbers, local business activity, and user satisfaction. This feedback will be reviewed by the Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism Committee at the end of the trial to decide on the next steps.
Councillor Daniel Efde, Chair of the Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism Committee at Rochford District Council, said: “We know that parking charges can be a barrier for people who want to quickly pop into town to shop, visit a café, or run errands. This trial gives us the chance to test whether a small change like offering 30 minutes free parking can make a big difference to our High Streets. It’s about improving access, encouraging local shopping, and supporting our town centres to thrive again.”
Car park users will need to collect a free ticket from the nearest pay and display machine, which will allow them to park for 30 minutes at no cost. After the free 30 minutes, standard parking charges will apply for those who wish to stay longer, additional time can be paid for via the PayByPhone app or at a pay and display machine.
The trial is being funded from existing parking reserves and will not impact the Council’s wider budget. Residents are advised to keep an eye on the Council’s website and social media channels for the confirmed start date and further details on how to use the new 30-minute free parking scheme.