🚗 Market Place Short Stay Car Park – The Complete Olney Parking Guide

🚗 Type: Public Pay & Display Short-Stay Car Park (Milton Keynes Council jurisdiction)
🕒 Open: Enforcement 08:00–18:00 Mon–Sat; free evenings (18:00–08:00), all day Sunday & Bank Holidays
🌟 Rating: No aggregated public reviews available

💰 Pricing & Permits

• Tariffs (Mon–Sat, 08:00–18:00):

  • Up to 30 min: £0.60

  • Up to 1 h: £1.20

  • Up to 2 h: £2.40

  • Up to 3 h: £3.60

  • Up to 4 h (max stay): £4.80

• Payment Methods:

  • Pay & display machines (coins, contactless card, Chip & PIN, Apple/Google Pay)

  • Pay-by-App (RingGo – zone 68901)

• Resident Permits:

  • None for this short-stay site; residents may apply for town-wide on-street permits via Milton Keynes Council

• Season Ticket:

  • Weekly short-stay ticket £15.00 (valid any time within enforcement hours)

• Tariff History:

  • Annual review; last adjustment +10 p across bands in April 2024

📊 Capacity & Physical Features

♿ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities

• Blue Badge Bays: Four bays next to pedestrian exit—free, signed

• Drop-Off Zone: Short-term pull-in opposite ticket machine

• Kerb Ramps: Tactile-paved ramps at both pedestrian access points

• Pathways: 2 m-wide smooth footpaths leading into Market Place and High Street

• Audible Assistance: Pay machine emits voice prompts on request

🔌 EV Infrastructure & Nearby Options

• On-Site Charging: None installed

• Planned (2025): Feasibility assessment for 2×7 kW chargers in rear corner

• Nearest Live Chargers:

  • Public Hall Car Park (MK46 4BB): 4×7 kW units, 5 min walk

  • Swan Public House (Station Road): 2×22 kW rapid, 7 min walk

📅 Live Demand Patterns & Seasonal Variations

Pro Tip: On market days (Tuesdays & Saturdays), arrive by 08:30 or use overflow at Public Hall Car Park.

🚶 Walkability & Transport Links

🛒 Nearby Amenities & Services
Essentials

• Public Toilets: Inside Market Place building (free)

• ATM: NatWest (High Street, 2 min)

• Pharmacy: Boots (High Street, 2 min)

Food & Drink

• The Crown Inn (1 min): Pub dining & real ales

• Bakehouse Café (1 min): Artisan breads & light lunches

• Peach Café (2 min): Coffee, brunch & afternoon tea

Retail & Leisure

• Olney Mill Shopping (3 min): Independent boutiques & antiques

• Olney Sports Centre (5 min): Gym, pool & community classes

• Olney Tourist Information (1 min): Local maps & cycle hire

🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison

⚠️ Important Notices & Byelaws

• Enforcement Hours: 08:00–18:00 Mon–Sat; civil enforcement by MK Council

• Overstay Penalty: £70 PCN (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days)

• Towing Risk: Vehicles without valid ticket liable for removal

• Maintenance: Quarterly surface and drainage inspections (next due Aug 2025)

📌 Expert Tips

• Market Day Hack: Park at Public Hall Car Park and walk back for guaranteed space.

• Evening Visitor: Park after 18:00 for free overnight stay.

• Blue-Badge Holders: Display badge and use one of four free bays nearest exit.

• Weather Alert: Eastern bays can pond in heavy rain; choose central rows.

🔮 Future Developments & Planning

• 2025 Q3: Installation of EV charging bays pending council approval

• 2025 Q4: Digital pay station trial with multilingual interface

• 2026: Feasibility study for additional 30 bays on adjacent land (planning ref: MKC/PLN/2024/315)

• Accessibility Audit: Full PAS 1899 compliance review scheduled for Feb 2026