Major changes to parking in Stroud starting next month 

Parking fees will increase in two district council car parks, Church Street and Rowcroft, beginning next month, from Monday, April 1.

Stays in Church Street car park will be £1.70, £2.50 and £4.70 for one, two and three hours respectively. Stays in Rowcroft car park will be £1.70, £2.50 and £3.70.

It comes after councillors recently approved Stroud District Council’s budget for 2024/25 during last week’s full council meeting on Thursday, February 22. 

But, there will be no increase in charges at the London Road car park and adjoining Brunel Mall multi-storey car park, Cheapside or Parliament Street.

Meanwhile, the “Free after 3pm” scheme will be extended to “Free after 2pm” at the London Road car park and Brunel Mall multi-storey car park. 

It comes after a proposal from Stroud District Chamber of Trade and Stroud Town Council and will also launch on April 1. 

New digital signage will also eventually be installed at the Brunel Mall multi-storey car park to show drivers how many free spaces are available. 

Additionally, new cycle storage and bike parking spaces, including for cargo bikes, are also planned to be introduced later in the year. 

Electric vehicle charging points will be installed in all district council car parks. 

Two car parks in Stonehouse and Lower Stratford Park will also be resurfaced.

Parking charges will increase at Church Street and Rowcroft car park starting next month - April 1 (Image: Newsquest / Google Maps / SDC)

"We need as few barriers to visiting town as possible"

The news has been welcomed by Tony Davey, chair of Stroud Chamber of Trade.

He said: “My discussions with the public have shown that whilst the existing “free after 3pm” initiative is popular, some avoid using the scheme as their journey to Stroud is via roads that can be clogged with school traffic at that time. 

“I acknowledge that whilst using public transport is desirable, not everyone has a viable service, not everyone is able to use it and not everyone has the luxury of a schedule that facilitates it. 

“Having suggested “free after 2pm” to both bolster the afternoon footfall opportunities and help overcome barriers to accessing the town, I am pleased it has been adopted and hope it will be well used. 

“This gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the town with less rush, at a time that is often quieter. 

Shoppers will be able to park for free after 2pm at the London Road and Brunel Mall multi-storey car park (Image: Newsquest)

“Town is for leisure and shopping, in addition to important transactions, and afternoons are ideal for that. 

“Our local economy is under significant strain at the moment and we need as few barriers to visiting town as possible. 

“I also acknowledge that, given the decision to increase charges in the town was not negotiable, that the least damaging route to achieving more revenue from the town has been taken - increasing charging in short-stay car parks. 

“This should not further impact blue badge holders as parking remains free for them both in designated and non-designated bays. 

“All flexible-stay car parks operated by SDC within the town offer shorter stays at a much lower tariff than the short-stay ones - so it is easy to park smarter and reduce cost, whilst not parking much further away.

“I welcome the addition of secure cycle parking, something the Chamber has called for and is expected this financial year, and clear signage that will enable the Brunel Mall Car Park to be utilised more and inform users. 

“Those travelling to town on electric bikes and cargo bikes (indeed, all bikes) need somewhere secure to store both their bike and their cycling gear.”

"We have listened very carefully" say SDC 

Stroud District Council owns and maintains 33 public car parks in the district and of the six in the Stroud town centre. 

For more information see here - tinyurl.com/4wyssnfn

Stroud District council Leader Catherine Braun said: “We understand the concerns of town centre traders, which is why we have listened very carefully to their proposals which help increase turnover of spaces. 

“This isn’t just about parking in the traditional sense – shoppers arrive by a wide variety of means, so we’re bringing in decent cycle storage and parking spaces, including for cargo bikes.”

Council deputy leader Natalie Bennett added: “We’re investing in digital signage to help traders and drivers, and electric charging points for cars across the district in addition to an ongoing programme of resurfacing work.”