
Free 1-hour parking on Chestnut Avenue โ ideal for quick town centre runs.
๐ Type: Surface Pay & Display (Biggleswade Town Council)
๐ Open: MonโFri 08:00โ18:00; free access outside these hours
๐ Rating: 4.1 / 5 (local user feedback)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Tariff (MonโFri 08:00โ18:00):
First 1 h: Free (ticket required)
Up to 4 h: Pay & Display at standard town-centre rates
Max Stay: 4 h
No Return: Within 3 h of exit
Permits: Not applicable (no resident or worker permits)
Enforcement: Central Bedfordshire Council Civil Enforcement Officers
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | 31 marked bays |
| Disabled Bays | None on site |
| Surface | Tarmac, level |
| Lighting | Streetlamps at entrance; site unlit after dusk |
| Security | Occasional patrols; no CCTV |
| Height Restriction | None (van-friendly) |
| Entry/Exit | Unbarriered; clear Pay & Display signage |
โฟ Accessibility
Step-Free Access: Level tarmac throughout
Disabled Drivers: Use nearby Rose Lane or Dan Albone car parks (with marked bays)
Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside lay-by adjacent to entrance
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Chargers: None
Nearest Options:
Tesco Superstore Pod Point (22 kW; 1 mile / 20 min walk)
Sycamore Road lamppost chargers (Ubitricity, 7 kW; 0.8 mile / 16 min walk)
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 08โ10 AM | 70 % | Quick errands & commutes |
| Weekdays 12โ2 PM | 50 % | Lunchtime shoppers |
| Saturdays 10โ2 PM | 90 % | Market visitors & shoppers |
| Evenings after 6 PM | 30 % | Nearby residents returning home |
Pro Tip: Use the free first hour for quick pickups or appointmentsโprint your ticket on arrival to avoid charges.
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Biggleswade High Street | 12 min | Shops, cafรฉs & banking |
| Mill Lane Car Park | 10 min | Public toilets & additional bays |
| Biggleswade Railway Station | 15 min | Thameslink services to London |
| Tesco Superstore | 18 min | Groceries & EV charging |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public toilets: Mill Lane car park (10 min)
ATM: Post Office, St Andrewโs Square (12 min)
Pharmacy: Boots, High Street (12 min)
Food & Drink
The Embankment Cafรฉ (15 min): Riverside breakfasts
Spice of Bengal (13 min): Award-winning curry
The Willow Pub (14 min): Casual pub fare
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Albone | 6 min | Free 2 h; pay thereafter | 10 h | Larger capacity; disabled bays |
| Rose Lane | 4 min | Free 2 h; permit options | 6 h | Permits for residents & workers |
| Mill Lane | 10 min | Free 2 h; pay thereafter | 4 h | Quiet location; disabled bay |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Reopening Update: Resurfaced and fully reopened July 2023 after pothole repairs.
Return Restriction: No re-entry within 3 hโplan your stops accordingly.
Maintenance: Annual line-repainting scheduled October 2025; expect temporary closures.
๐ Expert Tips
Shop-and-Charge Alternative: Park at Tesco to combine grocery run with EV charging.
Market Day Hack: For Saturday markets, arrive before 9 AM to nab a free bay.
Overstay Avoidance: Top up via RingGo in nearby zones to extend beyond free hour without returning.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025: Central Beds Council evaluating EV charge point installations in all town-council car parks.
2026: Potential introduction of ANPR monitoring for seamless ticketless parking.