Rochford District Council has confirmed that its new trial offering 30 minutes of free parking in council-owned pay and display car parks (excluding Hockley Woods and The Approach, Rayleigh) will run from 1 September to 30 November 2025.
The initiative is part of wider efforts to support local businesses, encourage visits to town centres, and make it easier for residents and visitors to access shops and services. It builds on the existing offer of free parking on Saturday afternoons after 1pm and all day on Sundays.
During the trial period, car park users will be entitled to one free 30-minute parking ticket per vehicle per day, provided a valid ticket is obtained from a Pay & Display machine and clearly displayed in the windscreen.
How to obtain your free 30-minute ticket:
- ENTER your Vehicle Registration Number.
- PRESS the GREEN button.
After the free 30 minutes, standard parking charges will apply. Additional time can be paid for via the PayByPhone app or at a Pay & Display machine.
Notice boards will be placed around participating car parks and on the Payment Machines with information on how to obtain the free ticket.
The trial has been scheduled outside school holidays and the Christmas shopping season to ensure fair and reliable data collection. Feedback and data from the scheme will be used to assess its impact on:
- Visitor numbers
- Local business activity
- User satisfaction
The findings will be reviewed at the end of the trial to determine next steps.
Councillor Daniel Efde, Chair of the Economic Development, Regeneration and Tourism Committee, said: "This trial is designed to make it easier for residents and visitors to access our town centres while supporting local businesses. The data we collect will help us understand how such initiatives can benefit the community and guide any future decisions on parking policy."
For more information on Rochford District Council car parks, please visit our car parks page