๐ Lanchester Road Car Park โ The Complete Bedford St Johns Parking Guide
120-space council car park on Lanchester Road โ free first 2 hours, easy PayByPhone, step-free access to Bedford St Johns station.
๐ Type: Pay & Display Council-Managed Surface Car Park
๐ Open: 24 hours daily (ANPR enforcement 08:00โ18:00 MonโSat)
๐ Rating: 4.2 / 5 (Google & rail-user reviews)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Up to 2 hours: Free (ticket required)
Up to 3 hours: ยฃ4.20
Up to 4 hours: ยฃ6.60
Over 4 hours (all day): ยฃ8.80
Payment: PayByPhone app or on-site ticket machines (coins, card)
Enforcement: ANPR; PCN ยฃ70 (reduced to ยฃ35 if paid within 14 days)
Blue Badge: Free parking (display badge + obtain free ticket)
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | 120 |
| Surface | Tarmac with marked bays |
| Lighting | Full-site LED lampposts |
| Security | ANPR enforcement, CCTV monitoring |
| Height Limit | None |
โฟ Accessibility
Disabled Bays: 4 marked, level surface
Nearest Adapted Parking: Prebend Street Car Park (St Maryโs Gardens area, 6 bays, 2.1 m barrier)
Drop-Off Zone: Directly outside station entrance on Borough Road
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
Riverside Car Park (12ร standard AC; BP Pulse network) โ 5 min walk
Ashburnham Road Car Park (2ร 7 kW Pod Point) โ 8 min walk
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 06:30โ09:30 | 85 % | Commuters (Marston Vale) |
| Weekdays 12:00โ14:00 | 60 % | Station visitors |
| Saturdays 10:00โ16:00 | 70 % | Leisure travellers |
| Evenings after 18:00 | 30 % | Local residents |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 06:30 AM for guaranteed free-stay spots if traveling early.
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford St Johns Station | 1 min | Immediate platform access |
| Medbourne Road bus stop | 2 min | Buses to town centre |
| Bedford Hospital South Wing | 8 min | Quick access for appointments |
| Marston Vale trailhead | 10 min | Leisure walks & cycling routes |
| St Johns Shopping Centre | 5 min | Cafรฉ, newsagent & takeaway outlets |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public toilets: St Johns Shopping Centre (5 min)
ATM: Metro Bank (High Street, 7 min)
Pharmacy: Boots (High Street, 7 min)
Food & Drink
Cafรฉ Nero (3 min) โ station concourse
The Railyard (5 min) โ pub & grill
PizzaExpress (6 min) โ family dining
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prebend Street Car Park | 8 min walk | ยฃ2.00 (2 h) ยฃ4.60 (4 h) | 24 h | Cheaper short-stay, level entry |
| Ashburnham Road Station Car Park | 10 min walk | ยฃ3.80 (10:00โ23:59) ยฃ8.80 (24 h) | 24 h | Closer to Midland station |
| On-street bays (Cardington Rd) | 3 min walk | ยฃ0.90โยฃ8.80 (pay & display) | 6 h max | Evenings & Sundays free |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
First 2 hours free only with a valid pay & display ticket.
Charges apply 08:00โ18:00 MonโSat; free after 18:00 MonโSat and all day Sun.
ANPR enforcementโensure correct registration or PCN will issue.
๐ Expert Tips
Commuter Flex: Use season tickets for regular Marston Vale travelersโapply online via Bedford Borough portal.
Blue Badge Hack: Register for free ticket in advance via PayByPhone for seamless parking.
Off-Peak Leisure: Park after 10 AM on Sat/Sun for free 2-hour stay before charges apply.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025: Proposal to add 4ร 7 kW EV bays (Council consultation Q3 2025).
2026: Improved CCTV and lighting upgrade planned (budget approval pending).
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