East Herts Council is welcoming an expression of interest in the pilot ahead of its launch in early November following discussions with Bishop’s Stortford BID, which has been calling for more affordable parking options for town centre businesses and their employees.
Up to 100 discounted permits will be available. The lower the vehicle’s carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, the greater the saving, with discounts ranging from 5% to 20%.
The permits will be available to:
• people who work for a town-centre business and pay for their own parking; and
• town centre businesses that pay for parking for their employees.
Permit holders will be able to park in any available space on floors A–E of Northgate End car park and choose whether to pay monthly or annually. The permits will be virtual, so drivers will not need to display anything in their vehicle.
Cllr Tim Hoskin, East Herts Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, said: “This pilot is about trying something new to support our town centre workforce while encouraging cleaner travel.
“Regular parking costs soon add up, so a saving of up to £200 a year could make a real difference. We recognise that lower-emission and electric vehicles are not affordable or practical for everyone. That is why the pilot offers different levels of discount, rather than limiting the scheme to zero-emission vehicles, and why taking part is entirely optional – Northgate End remains the cheapest place to park in Bishop's Stortford, even for those who don't participate.
“We know the scheme will not work for everyone, but that is why we are starting with a pilot. We will look carefully at who benefits - and who does not - and use feedback from local businesses and their employees to shape what happens next.”
Karen Burton from Bishop’s Stortford BID, said: “We are pleased to support this pilot. While it will not meet the needs of every worker, it is an opportunity to test a new approach and understand what works in practice.
“We will encourage businesses and employees to share their experiences, including any barriers that prevent them from benefiting. Their feedback will be an important part of the review.”
Northgate End already has the lowest daily parking charge in the district, at £4.40. Permit prices have been calculated against a baseline cost of £998.80 a year - the cost of parking at the standard daily rate for 227 working days.
Northgate End | % Discount | Annual Cost (£)* | 6 monthly cost (£)* | Monthly cost (£)* |
Parking 227 days of the year at full rate (baseline) | 0 | 998.80 | 499.40 | 82.23 |
Cars with zero emissions | 20% | 799.00 | 399.50 | 66.50 |
cars with emissions between 1 – 99 g/km C02 | 15% | 849.00 | 424.50
| 70.75 |
cars with emissions between 100 – 130 | 10% | 899.00 | 449.50 | 75.00 |
cars with emissions between 131 – 170 | 5% | 949.00 | 474.50
| 79.0 |
Permits will not be available for vehicles emitting more than 170g/km of CO₂.
The prices are based on regular full-time parking during charging hours. The permits may therefore not offer the best value for people who park less often or mainly work evenings or Sundays. The pilot review will consider demand from people with different working patterns and whether more flexible options could be offered in future.
Each permit will be linked to one vehicle registration so its emissions can be checked against DVLA records. Businesses can apply for more than one permit, but each permit must be assigned to a specific vehicle.
The pilot will run until the end of the financial year. East Herts Council and Bishop’s Stortford BID will then review the results and consider whether the scheme should be changed, expanded or introduced elsewhere.
To express your interest or find out more please email: business.ops@eastherts.gov.uk