
Dickens Street โ pay & display, free evenings & Sundays, steps from station & riverside.
๐ Type: Public Pay & Display Surface Car Park (Peterborough City Council)
๐ Open: Enforcement 08:00โ18:00 MonโSat; free evenings (18:00โ08:00), all day Sunday & Bank Holidays
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Tariffs (MonโSat, 08:00โ18:00):
Up to 1 h: ยฃ0.60
Up to 2 h: ยฃ1.20
Up to 4 h (max stay): ยฃ2.40
All day (max 24 h): ยฃ4.00
Payment Methods:
Pay & Display machines (coins, contactless card)
RingGo app (zone code 51370)
Resident Permits: Zone DS permit ยฃ50 / year (unlimited stays during enforcement hours)
Blue Badge Holders: Free up to 4 h โ display badge and register at machine
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~60 bays |
| Disabled Bays | 4 marked bays (near machine; free with badge) |
| Parent & Child Bays | 2 extra-wide bays by entrance |
| Surface | Level tarmac with bay lining refreshed 2023 |
| Lighting | LED bollard lights (duskโdawn) |
| Drainage | Channel drains; cleared bi-annually |
| Security | CCTV coverage; periodic council patrols |
| Signage | Digital tariff board & zone map at entrance |
โฟ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities
Blue Badge Bays: Four bays adjacent to pay machineโno charge required
Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside pull-in beside entrance for quick unloading
Kerb Ramps: Tactile-paved ramps to Dickens Street pavement
Pathways: Smooth 2 m-wide footpaths to station and riverside
๐ EV Infrastructure & Nearby Options
On-Site Charging: None installed
Planned (2025): Feasibility study for 4 ร 7 kW chargers in north-east corner
Nearest Live Chargers:
Peterborough Station CP: 8 ร 22 kW rapid, 6 min walk
Nene Park Retail CP: 4 ร 7 kW Pod Point, 5 min drive
๐ Live Demand Patterns & Seasonal Variations
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 08:00โ10:00 | 85 % | Commuters & shoppers |
| Weekdays 12:00โ14:00 | 60 % | Lunch-time visitors |
| Weekdays 16:00โ18:00 | 75 % | Return commuters |
| Saturdays 09:00โ13:00 | 90 % | Weekend shoppers |
| Sundays & Bank Holidays | 35 % | Leisure & riverside walkers |
Pro Tip: Arrive after 16:00 for free evening stayโideal for a stroll along the Embankment.
๐ถ Walkability & Local Links
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Peterborough Station | 4 min | Mainline & suburban rail services |
| Embankment Riverside Park | 2 min | Scenic riverside walks & picnic spots |
| Queensgate Shopping Centre | 5 min | Retail, dining & public amenities |
| Bus Stops (Dickens St) | Adjacent | Routes across the city |
๐ Nearby Amenities & Services
Public Toilets: Embankment Park (2 min)
ATM: Barclays (Station Rd, 4 min)
Pharmacy: Boots (Queensgate, 5 min)
Food & Drink:
The Embankment Cafรฉ (2 min): Riverside snacks & beverages
Station Buffet (4 min): Grab-and-go meals & coffee
Market Kitchen (5 min): Market-style vendors
โ ๏ธ Important Notices & Byelaws
Enforcement: 08:00โ18:00 MonโSat by council officers; CCTV off-hours monitoring
Overstay Penalty: ยฃ70 PCN (reduced to ยฃ35 if paid within 14 days)
Towing Risk: Unauthorized vehicles may be towed at ownerโs expense
Maintenance: Quarterly surface & drainage inspections (next due Oct 2025)
๐ Expert Tips
Resident Saver: Annual permit (ยฃ50) is cost-effective for regular commuters.
Blue Badge Users: Display badge & register at the machine for a free stay.
Evening Leisure: Park after 18:00 for free exit by 08:00 next day.
Weather Alert: Northern bays near hedge can pondโopt for central bays for drier ground.
๐ฎ Future Developments & Planning
2025 Q3: Install 4 ร 7 kW EV chargers funded by council grant
2025 Q4: Upgrade pay-stations to cashless-only with multilingual interface
2026: Feasibility study for +30 bays on adjacent council land (ref: PCC/PLN/2024/1310)
Accessibility Audit: PAS 1899 compliance review scheduled for Jan 2026