Parking

As with many market towns up and down the UK, both traffic congestions and the parking regime are a major concern for residents and businesses.

The town centre is served by seven car parks owned and run by East Herts District Council. These use either a pay-and-display method of charging, whereby you purchase a ticket for a set amount of time when you arrive - or - you can check-in and out using card payments if you're not sure how long you're going to be.

Historically, the limits of the town centre have been confined, prohibiting expansion. Over the last sixty years only two new car parks have been developed in Hertford - the Gascoyne Way Multi-Storey Car Park and a facility on Hartham Lane, utilising the old railway line. A new multi-storey car park was developed at Bircherley Green in the 1980s but this only replaced a pre-existing facility on the site of the former Bus Station - and this car park is now privately owned and subject to restrictions.

There is also an issue with long term parking for people who work in the town. Over the years there has been an increase in the amount of office space in the town and this has led to numbers of workers parking in residential streets. This is also the case with commuter parking, where workers drive into the town to use the two stations and park in residential areas. The East station in fact has only a dozen or so spaces. In response, the District Council has introduced four Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) - in the streets neighbouring Hertford East station, on Folly Island, in Chambers Street and in Stanstead Road.

Cost of Parking

The District Council has a policy of ensuring that motorists cover the cost of providing car parks in the town, and that these car parks are not subsidised by Council Tax payers

Pay and Display

In the past a Pay and Display system was used by the District Council and this came in for a lot criticism. Under the system, you paid to park for a set period of time. If you exceed that period you were fined. Many people argued that a Pay On Foot system would be better, whereby you buy a ticket and pay whenever you return for whatever period you have stayed. The District Council however were extremely reluctant to implement such a system on cost grounds, both because of the cost of new equipment and the loss of income from parking fines.

Introduction of Free 30 Minute Tariff

In March 2014 the District Council approved the introduction of an initial 30 minute free period for using the council's car parks. The existing charging bands would be moved back by 30 minutes, meaning that the first 1½ hours would be charged at the same rate as the existing hour, with 2&halh; hours costing the same as the existing 2 hour charge.

Installation of New Payment Machines

New payment machines were installed in the town's car parks in October 2016. As well as allowing the existing pay and display method of parking, the new machines also introduced cashless payments and pay on exit.

Introduction and Postponement of Evening Charges

In March 2014 the District Council approved the introduction of a flat rate £1 charge for use of the council's car parks during the evening, up to 10pm, subject to a public consultation and Traffic Regulation Order.

However, following a petition by town centre residents and local organisations, the council decided not to implement the scheme due to the adverse effects this would have on town centre resident and the evening economy, as well as voluntary group and community organisations who typically meet during the evening.

Nevertheless, chargeable hours were extended until 8pm in 2023.

Car Parks

• Gascoyne Way multi-storey - 361 spaces - short and long stay
• St.Andrews Street - 100 spaces - short stay
• London Road - 102 spaces - long stay
• Hartham Common - 119 spaces - short and long stay
• Hartham Lane - 85 spaces - short and long stay
• Port Vale - 39 spaces - short and long stay
• Wallfields - 32 spaces - short and long stay
• Baker Street - 38 spaces - long stay closed 2012

Tesco has parking for 283 cars for up to 2 hours and uses an ANPR system for enforcement. Sainsbury's has parking for 229 vehicles and also uses an ANPR system. M&S Food and Aldi also have car parks.

Limited on-street parking is available for up to 30 minutes in Fore Street. There are also a small number of spaces in St.Andrew Street and The Wash.

Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ)

There are four Controlled Parking Zones or Residents Parking Schemes, on Folly Island (H1), Chambers Street (H2), the Hertford East Area (H3) and Stanstead Road (H4). Hours of operation are 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday.

A further CPZ was proposed for the Port Vale area to the west of the town centre. A consultation was launched in May 2011 and broad support was expressed by residents. However, following the publication of a Traffic Regulation Order in August 2012, it became clear that there was no longer widespread support for the zone and the district council suspended all further work on the scheme.

Other residential streets also have parking restrictions during certain hours.

On-street parking

Much of the town centre is a Restricted Parking Zone, which requires less signage than normally required by law. As such there is limited on-street parking.

The town centre has suffered from poor drafting and implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders, resulting in "abusive" parking in what might otherwise be regarded as pedestrianised areas.

Whilst this has been largely dealt with in Maidenhead Street (shown above), there remain problems in Bircherley Green and Railway Street.

Pavement Parking

Obstruction of the footway by parked cars is a problem in some residential areas such as Bengeo and parts of Ware Road.

Whilst pavement parking is technically not illegal, it is an offence to obstruct a pavement.

In 2020, the Government held a consultation called "Pavement parking: options for change", but no formal outcome or response has ever been forthcoming from the Department For Transport. (Hansard 13/3/23 »). The proposals were backed by Hertfordshire County Council.

The Future

In the summer of 2024 East Herts Council revealed an emerging parking strategy, with a consultation taking place in the Autumn.

Some of the changes being considered include the introduction of a workplace levy on parking, a review of existing parking zones, including location and hours of operation, making parking charges more consistent across the district and a simpler payment system.

Background

Police Traffic Wardens Withdrawn

In Autumn 2002, the local police effectively withdrew traffic wardens from Hertford, leaving the town without anyone to enforce on-street parking regulations. This led to widespread flouting of the regulations, which was particularly apparent in the evening from Thursday and through the weekend. It was over two years before the decriminalisation of parking law and the empowerment of the local authority to provide wardens allowed the District Council to deploy their own wardens.

Parking Attendants

Private Wardens were officially deployed by The Council on 17th January 2005 and immediately had an impact on the town, both in terms of the reduction in illegal parking and the number of complaints from the public. The local press were also vocal in their criticism of the wardens, who were perceived as unwavering in their strict interpretation of the regulations. The wardens were backed up by East Herts District Council and in particular Cllr Bob Parker, the executive responsible for parking.

It is widely believed that the Parking Attendants have targets, although the District Council has denied this. However, there is evidence from former attendants and others that this is indeed the case and that the District Council are not being entirely open on this issue.

Fines from on-street parking tickets have to be re-invested in parking and traffic measures, whereas fines from car parks can be used however the Council wishes.

Parking Study

A parking study commissioned by the District Council resulted in a new strategy that included reducing the number of long stay parking spaces and increased charges.

Parking Meters

In July 2004, the District Council announced that parking meters were to be installed with a charge of 20p per half hour. The meters would be installed in areas where on-street parking had previously been free, such as Fore Street, Bull Plain, South Street, St.Andrews Street, The Wash, Parliament Square, Bell Lane, Church Street and South Street. However, these plans were deferred following representations from local businesses and the Town Council.

This article was last updated on 18th November 2024.
The previous update was on 24th March 2021.