Clearing Up Misconceptions About City Centre Parking
As more people live, work and enjoy our city, the way people park in the city centre has had to adapt. Paid on-street parking in the City Centre Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) is now in effect from 7am to 11pm each day. Enforcement during these hours will help to reduce illegal and inconsiderate parking, creating safer, more accessible streets for all road users.
We know that people have questions about these changes, and there has been some misunderstanding around the decision. This page is dedicated to address some of the most common misconceptions.
Here are some of the most common Myths and the Truth about them:
You ignored a public consultation which said we didn’t want any changes
The consultation was an important part of the process, but it is not a referendum. Consultations are designed to gather views and evidence to inform the council’s decision making, rather than to determine the outcome by a simple vote.
The changes to the parking restrictions were made in response to a changing city centre. Liverpool has grown, with more people living, working and going out later. This has created evening congestion, unsafe pavement parking and poor turnover of spaces, which has a direct impact on accessibility, safety and the overall experience of the city.
We have taken feedback from the consultation into account and will continue to collect feedback from residents and businesses. This feedback will be used to review the scheme and determine whether further changes are required.
You’re not supporting local businesses
We’ve listened to feedback and increased the maximum stay from two to five hours after 6pm around the Hope Street area to better align with theatre, hospitality and late-shift patterns.
Other changes will be implemented soon, including work in both Victoria Street Car Park and Mount Pleasant multi-storey car park to enhance safety, and reduce overnight parking costs.
You’ve changed parking restrictions just to earn money
The changes to the parking restrictions were made in response to a changing city centre. It has grown, with more people living, working and going out later, which has created evening congestion, unsafe pavement parking and poor turnover of spaces.
Extended paid parking hours stops spaces being full all night, giving everyone who wants to park a chance to find a space. Parking enforcement during this time also helps us to reduce illegal and inconsiderate parking, creating safer, more accessible streets for everyone.
The money is getting spent on unrelated issues
Any income from parking is used to improve our parking and highways. We’ve already hired 37 new Civil Enforcement Officers bringing our total to 75, with plans to bring that number up to 100 to further prevent disruptive and illegal parking.
Enforcement only happens in the city centre
Our Civil Enforcement Officers work across the entire city, tackling inconsiderate and illegal parking.
Why have you increased the enforcement times of the city centre CPZ?
The city centre is evolving, with more people living, working and enjoying our city later into the evening. We have noticed an increase in illegal and inconsiderate parking as a result. The new enforcement hours will help us prevent this and create safer, more accessible streets.
The extended hours will prevent spaces from being full all night and give everyone a chance to find a space.
What are the new times for the city centre CPZ?
On-street parking in the city centre is now chargeable from 7am to 11pm daily.
What should I do if I’m parking for more than four hours?
On-street parking bays are intended for short stays. For longer stays, you can use a number of car parks in Liverpool. Victoria Street offers a special night rate between 6pm and 9am at just £1.50 per hour.
What are the new prices for parking?
On-street parking in the city centre is currently £2 for up to 30 minutes, £4 for up to 1 hour, £6 for up to 2 hours and £10 for up to 4 hours. The price may rise slightly in April. Please check the price on the app you’re using to park or on the payment machines.
How does this support local businesses if people are put off coming into town?
We have made changes to on-street parking times in the city centre to give more people the chance to park in the evening. The four-hour limit for on-street parking before 11pm is in place to prevent people from using a single space all night.
We’ve made additional changes to our parking hours to support people visiting for extended periods in the evening. Maximum stays around Hope Street have increased to five hours after 6pm, giving hospitality teams, late-shift workers and theatre-goers more time.
Reduced overnight prices at Victoria Street car park and Mount Pleasant multi-storey are also on the way too.
Is this just a moneymaking exercise for the Council?
The changes to the parking restrictions were made in response to a changing city centre. It has grown, with more people living, working and going out later, which has created evening congestion, unsafe pavement parking and poor turnover of spaces.
Extended paid parking hours stops spaces being full all night, giving everyone who wants to park a chance to find a space. Parking enforcement during this time also helps us to reduce illegal and inconsiderate parking, creating safer, more accessible streets for everyone.
Any income from parking is used to improve our highways. We’ve already hired 37 new Civil Enforcement Officers, with plans to bring that number up to 100 to further prevent disruptive and illegal parking.
People have nowhere affordable to park in the city centre
On-street parking should only be used for short stays. There are a number of Council-owned car parks available for longer stays. Both Mount Pleasant and Victoria Street Car Park offer overnight parking at a reduced rate and there are plans in place to improve these car parks.
There’s no other option than driving at night
The changes to on-street parking in the city centre sit alongside wider improvements to public transport, so people have more reliable ways to get to and from work in the evening. People are also able to rent e-scooters from Bolt 24 hours a day.
Where is the city centre CPZ? Are there signs telling me where the new charges apply?
A map on the Council website shows all on-street parking locations in Liverpool. Alternatively, there will be signs along the road where on-street parking is available, as well as on payment machines.
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