Free Parking Now Available in Swindon Town Centre

A car park set for closure will remain open in an attempt to attract extra custom to Swindon Town Centre.

The 19-space car park, which is just off Commercial Road next to the Tented Market will benefit shoppers by providing an hour’s free parking.

According to plans, the car park was originally set to be transformed into a green open space as part of Swindon Borough Council’s regeneration plans.

However, after a successful trial period earlier this year, the Council has decided to maintain it as a limited waiting parking area to boost footfall in the town centre. 

It will allow parking for one hour with no return within three hours, from 9am to 9pm Monday to Sunday. It is hoped it will also stop motorists from parking on the pavements along Commercial Road.

The free parking initiative comes after the Council reduced car parking charges in three of its most popular car parks to £1 for an hour or £2 for four hours.

The car park will be monitored by the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers to ensure that shoppers adhere to the one-hour limit.

Cllr Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration in Skills, said: “It was our plan to turn Commercial Road into a green open space as it was felt it would create a pleasant environment for people to enjoy and a nice gateway into the town centre.

“But we have listened to the traders in the area, particularly those in the Tented Market, Market Street and Havelock Square, as they said the closure of the car park would have a real impact on them.

“The decision to change the use of this area and to make it an on-street limited waiting area shows our commitment to local businesses and our desire to increase footfall in the town centre.”