🚗 Green Parking Merton Public Car Park – Complete Bedford Lurke Street Guide
Secure 24/7 parking at Lurke Street, Bedford – 830 bays, free first 4 h, EV charging, step-free access, just a 5-minute walk to High Street and station.
🚗 Type: Council-Managed Multi-Storey Car Park (Operated by Green Parking Merton)
🕒 Open: 24 hours daily
🌟 Rating: 5 / 5 (from customer feedback)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Tariff (Mon–Sat):
Up to 4 h free (ticket required)
5 h: £1.40
6 h: £2.10
7 h: £3.30
8 h: £4.30
9 h: £4.90
Over 9 h: £7.90
Sunday: Free all day (no ticket needed)
Blue Badge Holders: Free at all times (badge displayed)
Payment Methods: Cash, card, and pay-by-phone (RingGo)
Season Tickets: Available via Bedford Borough Council’s online portal for residents and regular users
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | 830 marked bays across five levels |
| Surface | Reinforced concrete slabs |
| Lighting | Full LED lighting, operational 24/7 |
| Security | Park Mark–accredited; 24/7 CCTV surveillance |
| Height Restriction | 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Vehicle Access | Automatic barrier entry with ticket validation |
♿ Accessibility
Disabled Bays: 16 bays (two per level), adjacent to lifts and stair cores
Level Access: Step-free via wide lifts serving all floors
Drop-Off Zone: Covered kerbside directly outside the entrance
Alternate Adapted Bays: Queen Street Car Park (10 bays, 7-minute walk)
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Chargers: 4 × 7 kW Pod Point units (first 2 h free with valid parking ticket)
Nearest Rapid Chargers:
BP Pulse at Bedford Station (4 × 50 kW, pay-as-you-go, 8-minute walk)
Sainsbury’s Bedford forecourt (2 × 22 kW, free with up to 3 h shopping)
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 7–9 AM | 95 % | Commuters |
| Weekdays 12–2 PM | 60 % | Shoppers |
| Saturdays 10 AM–4 PM | 100 % | Town visitors |
| Evenings after 6 PM | 30 % | Leisure/nightlife |
Pro Tip: If full, try Allhallows Multi-Storey Car Park (565 spaces, first 4 h free on Saturdays).
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford High Street | 5 min | Retail, cafés & banking |
| Bedford Railway Station | 8 min | Thameslink services to London and beyond |
| Priory Country Park | 12 min | Riverside trails & picnic spots |
| Bedford Corn Exchange | 6 min | Live events & theatre |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public toilets: River Street Multi-Storey Car Park (2 min)
ATM: NatWest, High Street (5 min)
Pharmacy: Boots, Harpur Centre (6 min)
Food & Drink
The Embankment Café (2 min): Riverside breakfasts
Bazaar Express Diner (4 min): Family-friendly meals
The Old Hunter (7 min): Traditional pub fare
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allhallows MSCP | 4 min | Free first 4 h Sat; £1.40–£7.90 | 24 h | Covered, CCTV |
| Queen Street MSCP | 7 min | First 2 h free Mon–Sat; Sun free | 24 h | Blue Badge bays & on-site toilets |
| Greyfriars Surface Lot | 6 min | £1.20/hr; £6 all day | 24 h | Affordable day-long rate |
⚠️ Important Notices
Recent Closure: Temporary closure 21–22 April 2025 for repair of entry barrier following collision; fully reopened.
Enforcement: Display a valid ticket at all times, even during free periods.
Maintenance: Next annual structural inspection scheduled July 2025.
📌 Expert Tips
Early Bird: Arrive by 8 AM on weekdays for easiest access to a bay.
Season Pass: Offers up to 30 % savings for daily commuters versus pay-and-display.
RingGo App: Use for quick top-up if you exceed the free allowance.
🔮 Future Developments
Late 2025: Bedford Borough Council evaluating expansion of EV charger provision across town MSCPs.
Early 2026: Pilot rollout of digital wayfinding signage in Lurke Street and adjacent car parks.
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