🚗 Market Place Short Stay Car Park – The Complete Olney Parking Guide
Central short-stay parking at Olney Market Place – pay & display, free evenings & Sundays.
🚗 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
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | 60 bays |
| Standard Bays | 54 unmarked bays |
| Disabled Bays | 4 marked bays, free for Blue Badge holders |
| Parent & Child Bays | 2 extra-wide bays near exit |
| Motorcycle Bays | 2 designated bays |
| Surface | Level tarmac with high-visibility bay lining (repainted 2023) |
| Lighting | 8 LED floodlights, average 9 lux |
| Drainage | Four channel drains; bi-annual clearing |
| Height Limit | None (van-friendly) |
| Security | CCTV coverage (4 cameras, 24/7) |
| Signage | Digital display board with live occupancy and zone code |
| Machine Location | Central island adjacent to Market Place entrance |
♿ 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
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 08:00–10:00 | 80% | Shopkeepers & commuters |
| Weekdays 12:00–14:00 | 65% | Lunch-time shoppers |
| Weekdays 16:00–18:00 | 70% | Market runners & diners |
| Saturdays 09:00–12:00 | 95% | Market-day visitors |
| Saturdays 12:00–16:00 | 100% | Full-day market goers |
| Sundays & Bank Holidays | 20% | Leisure & church visitors |
| Christmas Market (Dec 1–Dec 24) | 100% | Festive shoppers |
Pro Tip: On market days (Tuesdays & Saturdays), arrive by 08:30 or use overflow at Public Hall Car Park.
🚶 Walkability & Transport Links
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Olney Market Place | 1 min | Daily market stalls & public toilets |
| Olney High Street | 2 min | Shops, cafés & banking |
| Olney Station (heritage) | 12 min | Shuttle to Olney mainline station |
| Bus Stop (Routes 33 & 41) | Adjacent | Hourly service to Bedford & Milton Keynes |
🛒 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
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Hall Car Park (MK46 4BB) | 5 min | £0.50/30 min | 4 h max | Overflow for market days; EV charging |
| Swan Public House (MK46 4DH) | 7 min | £1.00/hr | 24 h | Rapid EV chargers & evening free |
| On-Street Zone O (London Rd) | 3 min | £0.20/30 min | 2 h max | Short-stay & app only |
⚠️ 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
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