Liverpool Ends Free Evening Parking, Thousands Ticketed in Three Months

Liverpool City Council has implemented new parking charges in the controlled parking zone (CPZ), effectively ending free evening parking after 18:00. This change, which affects drivers throughout the city, was first proposed over two years ago and became official following a review initiated in 2018. The council aims to standardise parking regulations and better accommodate the growing night-time economy.

In the first three months of the new scheme, from August to October 2023, over 7,000 parking fines were issued. This surge indicates that many drivers were either unaware of the updated regulations or overlooked the new restrictions. The highest concentration of tickets was recorded on Hope Street, where 385 drivers were fined. Significant figures were also seen on Duke Street with 378 tickets and Old Hall Street where 264 tickets were issued.

Despite nearly 90% of public feedback opposing the proposal, city leaders moved forward with the changes. Local business owners, especially those in the hospitality sector, have voiced concerns that the new rules are detrimental to their revenue. A local pub operator reported a marked decline in pre-theatre patronage, stating that the earlier parking fees deter customers from returning to their vehicles during performances.

In defense of the changes, a spokesperson for the council highlighted that Liverpool has experienced substantial growth, which has increased demand for parking spaces. They argued that the new fees align Liverpool’s parking charges with those of other similar-sized cities and private car parks. This adjustment marks only the second rise in parking fees within the past decade.

As part of the new parking scheme, the maximum stay limit for pay and display bays in the Hope Street area has been extended from two hours to four hours. While this change applies to several adjacent streets, Hope Street remains the primary area for parking offences. Additionally, the council has reclassified various parking bays, such as limited waiting bays, into pay and display, residents, and disabled categories.

The council anticipates that the new parking regulations will generate approximately £240,000 in revenue, which will support the costs of increased enforcement efforts. As the city adapts to these changes, officials hope to see improvements in driver behaviour in response to the updated parking policies.