Higher parking fees help council bank extra £1.6m

An increase in off-street car park charges has helped bring in an additional £1.6m for a council.

Cambridge City Council increased off-street tariffs by an average of 20% last year, and scrapped free overnight parking at several car parks.

It said the additional income was due to the changes and "strong demand" at the Grand Arcade, Park Street and Queen Anne Terrace car parks.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Cambridge is a thriving, prosperous city, and demand for our car parks was higher than anticipated."

They added: "The money raised funds other vital services and amenities including street cleaning, parks and open spaces, public toilets, and support for homeless people."

Council figures show net income from car parks reached £8.17m in 2025 to 2026, £1.6m higher than budgeted.

The council reinstated evening and overnight charges at four of its car parks in April 2025: Grand Arcade, Park Street, Grafton East and Grafton West.

For the previous two years, evening and overnight parking had been free as part of efforts to support the city's evening economy.

The authority said 58% of respondents to a public consultation on the changes had agreed with the idea.

The Grand Arcade on Corn Exchange Street is one of Cambridge's most expensive council-run car parks, charging up to £36.50 for stays of more than five hours during weekends.

The council went £1.9m under budget last year, after it also brought more income than expected from its investments.

It said the money could be used for other projects, such as the "necessary urgent repairs" needed to the riverbank at Jesus Green.

Councillors will be asked to approve the budget proposals at a meeting on 1 October.

Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.