2024 Parking Strategy FAQ's

Through changing the way we manage parking, we want to reduce the number of non-essential car journeys in East Herts and encourage more people to walk, cycle, or take public transport. Opting for these more sustainable modes of travel help reduce air pollution, lower carbon emissions, and address traffic and congestion. This creates a safer and healthier environment for local communities and helps tackle the climate emergency.

The majority, and at times, all of the money made from parking is used to cover the cost of parking expenditure, such as the cost of parking enforcement contracts. This data is available in our annual Parking Reports.

Any surplus income made from parking returns to the Council's general funds, which are used to finance Council operations and services.

East Herts have already taken steps to promote the use of lower emission vehicles and active travel. To date we have:

• Installed new racks for 60 e-chargers and 26 anti-idling signs in council car parks
• Introduced stricter emissions standards for District taxis and waived fees for e-taxis
• Supported the introduction of demand responsive bus services in the northern half of the district.

We are also currently seeking feedback for our new Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. These plans aim to improve cycling and walking infrastructure to increase the number of trips made on foot or by cycle. 

Hertfordshire County Council is also making a range of bus improvements, such as increasing frequency of services, lowering fares and simplifying ticketing. More information on recent and proposed improvements can be found here.  

At this stage, no decision has been made on any change suggested here. Rather, we are looking for residents and local communities to help us identify improvements that could be made to the price and structure of parking in East Herts. Once this engagement period is over, we will use the feedback, along with relevant data and policies, to develop a new Parking Strategy in autumn 2024. The measures identified in this strategy for improving parking will start being implemented in 2025.

We are not trying to stop people from driving. While we want to reduce the number of car journeys in East Herts, we recognize that some people still need to drive, such as those with mobility impairments. Our objective is to encourage people to use more active modes of travel, such as walking or cycling, when car use is not essential such as for shorter trips. When car use is essential, we want to encourage people to opt for lower-emissions vehicles, such as electric vehicles. Finding more sustainable ways to carry out these journeys has benefits to the climate, air pollution, safety, health and the local economy.