Cambridgeshire support Proposal for Two Years of Free Parking

Key Points

• A proposal for two years of free parking in parts of Peterborough and Huntingdonshire has been approved by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority board.
• Mayor Paul Bristow put forward the plan as part of his wider budget package, which also freezes the mayoral council tax precept at £36 a year for a Band D property.
• The £36 mayoral precept is earmarked to support bus services across the Combined Authority area rather than being reduced or removed.
• The free parking scheme will apply to selected council-owned car parks and is intended to support local high streets and economic recovery.
• The approved budget was backed by members from councils across the region after debate on the financial implications and impact on transport funding.
• Opposition voices raised concerns about the potential loss of parking income and long‑term sustainability, while supporters highlighted benefits for traders and town centres.
• The Combined Authority has committed to monitoring the scheme’s economic impact and reviewing it before the end of the two‑year period.

Cambridgeshire (Cambridge Tribune) 29 January 2026 – A plan to introduce two years of free parking in Peterborough and parts of Huntingdonshire has been approved by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority as part of its annual budget. Mayor Paul Bristow’s proposal includes maintaining the mayoral council tax precept at £36 a year for a Band D property, with that income continuing to support bus services in the region. Board members representing councils across the area voted on Wednesday to approve the budget following discussion of the scheme’s costs and expected local economic benefits.

As reported by local democracy reporters and regional outlets, the decision means selected car parks in Peterborough and parts of Huntingdonshire will move to a free‑to‑use model for a trial period of two years, while the Combined Authority will use other funding streams, including the existing mayoral precept, to sustain public transport support rather than cutting that charge or parking tariffs in isolation.

What Has Been Approved in the Free Parking Proposal?

The approved budget package centres on a two‑year free‑parking offer in specific locations and a commitment to keep the mayoral precept unchanged.

As described in coverage of the budget meeting, Mayor Paul Bristow’s plan sets out that:

• Parking charges will be waived for a defined list of council‑owned car parks in Peterborough and parts of Huntingdonshire.
• The policy will run initially for two full financial years once implemented.
• The mayoral precept of £36 per year for a Band D property will be frozen rather than reduced or increased, and the revenue will continue to be ring‑fenced to help fund bus services.

Board papers referenced in reports state that the intention is to use the parking offer as a targeted economic stimulus while avoiding cuts to bus support, with the Combined Authority absorbing the expected loss of parking income within its wider medium‑term financial plan.

Where Will the Free Parking Apply and for How Long?

Coverage of the decision explains that the scheme is focused on town‑centre and local shopping‑area car parks in Peterborough and specified parts of Huntingdonshire.

The arrangement will:

• Apply to selected car parks controlled by partner councils within the Combined Authority footprint rather than every parking facility.
• Be introduced for a fixed period of two years, after which a review will determine whether to continue, modify or end the scheme.
• Be monitored against agreed indicators such as car park usage, town‑centre footfall, and local business performance.

Reports on the meeting state that the Combined Authority will work with district councils to publish a clear list of eligible car parks and any time‑limit rules, so residents and businesses understand precisely where free parking is available.

How Is the Mayoral Council Tax Precept Affected?

A key element of the plan is that the mayoral precept remains unchanged at £36 for a Band D household.

According to accounts of the budget discussion, Mayor Bristow argued that:

• The precept should be kept at its current level to protect funding for bus services.
• Reducing or removing the precept would undermine support for routes that are not commercially viable but are considered socially necessary.

Board reports cited in local coverage note that the £36 charge is used by the Combined Authority specifically to underpin bus services, including supported routes and network improvements, and that this purpose will continue under the new budget.

Why Did the Combined Authority Support Two Years of Free Parking?

Reports from the meeting indicate that the Combined Authority board backed the proposal as an economic support measure alongside a stable transport levy.

Supporters on the board argued that:

• Free parking could encourage more people to visit Peterborough and affected Huntingdonshire centres, supporting retailers and hospitality businesses.
• The two‑year timeframe provides enough duration to assess whether the policy has a measurable positive impact on local economies.
• Maintaining the precept while offering free parking in specific locations strikes a balance between supporting high streets and sustaining public transport.

Members also cited ongoing pressures on town centres from online retail and changing work patterns, with the parking policy presented as one lever to help increase footfall.

Were There Any Concerns or Objections Raised?

While the budget was approved, local coverage notes that some members and commentators highlighted potential risks and drawbacks.

Concerns reported from the debate included:

• The loss of parking income for councils and the Combined Authority, and whether this could create pressures on other services if economic gains do not offset the shortfall.
• Questions over whether free parking might increase congestion or conflict with climate and modal‑shift objectives.
• Whether the policy could favour car users over those who rely entirely on public transport.

However, the board’s final decision reflected a view that these risks could be managed through monitoring and that the trial nature of the scheme provided an opportunity to adjust course if needed.

How Will Bus Services Continue to Be Supported?

The budget decision explicitly connects the frozen precept to continued support for bus services.

Reports on the meeting explain that:

• Revenue from the mayoral precept is earmarked to support bus routes across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including those that require subsidy.
• The Combined Authority has previously used this funding to protect or enhance services that might otherwise be withdrawn.
• Under the new budget, this approach will continue, with board members emphasising that the free‑parking scheme does not come at the expense of bus support.

The authority has indicated it will continue working with operators on maintaining and improving services, using the precept as one of the main tools for doing so.

What Are the Financial Implications of the Free Parking Scheme?

Accounts of the budget paper highlight that the Combined Authority has modelled the financial impact of offering free parking for two years.

Key financial points reported include:

• The estimated loss of parking revenue over the two‑year period, which will be absorbed within the broader Combined Authority budget.
• The expectation that any reduction in income could be offset, at least in part, by increased economic activity in town centres generating higher business rates and related revenues over time.
• A commitment to keep the mayoral precept at £36 rather than raising it to cover the cost of the parking initiative.

The board agreed that detailed monitoring reports will be brought back to members during the two‑year period to track both costs and any economic benefits.

How Has the Plan Been Received Locally?

Early reactions reported by regional outlets show a mixed but engaged response from stakeholders.

Points highlighted include:

• Business groups welcoming the move as a potential boost to trade, especially for small retailers.
• Some residents expressing support for reduced parking costs during the cost‑of‑living pressures.
• Environmental and transport campaigners raising questions about long‑term impacts on car use and calling for continued investment in bus and active‑travel infrastructure alongside the parking offer.
• The Combined Authority hasstated that it will continue to engage with local communities, businesses and campaign groups as the scheme progresses and data is collected.

What Happens Next with the Free Parking and Budget Plan?

With the budget now approved by the Combined Authority board, implementation steps will follow.

According to published summaries of the decision:

• Partner councils will confirm which car parks are included and the operational start date for the free‑parking period.
• The Combined Authority will issue updated guidance on how the mayoral precept income will be allocated to bus services over the coming years.
• Officers will put in place monitoring frameworks to track usage of free‑parking sites, economic indicators, and any knock‑on effects on transport patterns.

The board has committed to review the scheme before the end of the two‑year period, using evidence gathered to decide whether to extend, modify or end the free‑parking offer while keeping the wider budget position under review.