๐ Park Street Car Park โ The Complete Cambridge City Centre Parking Guide
Park Street โ secure pay & display, free evenings & Sundays, moments from Grafton Centre & train station.
๐ Type: Public Pay & Display Car Park (Cambridgeshire County Council)
๐ Open: Enforcement 08:00โ20:00 MonโSat; free evenings (20:00โ08:00), all day Sunday & Bank Holidays
๐ Rating: N/A (council-run facility)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
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Tariffs (MonโSat, 08:00โ20:00):
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Up to 30 min: ยฃ1.00
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Up to 1 h: ยฃ2.00
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Up to 2 h: ยฃ4.00
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Up to 4 h (max stay): ยฃ6.00
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Payment Methods:
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Pay & Display machines (coins, contactless, Apple/Google Pay)
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Pay-by-App: RingGo (zone code 10210)
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Resident Permits: Zone CP permit ยฃ200 / year (unlimited stays within enforcement hours)
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Season Tickets: Weekly permit ยฃ35 (valid any enforcement day)
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | 120 bays |
| Disabled Bays | 6 marked bays (free for Blue Badge holders) |
| Parent & Child Bays | 4 extra-wide bays near pedestrian exit |
| Surface | Level tarmac with bay lining refreshed 2023 |
| Lighting | LED floodlights on perimeter (12 lux average) |
| Drainage | Channel drains; cleared bi-annually |
| Security | CCTV 24/7; periodic council patrols |
| Signage | Digital tariff boards & zone map at entrance |
โฟ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities
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Blue Badge Bays: Six bays adjacent to lift coreโfree with badge displayed
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Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside pull-in beside pay machines for quick set-downs
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Kerb Ramps: Tactile-paved ramps to Park Street sidewalk
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Pathways: Wide, smooth 2 m-wide footpaths to Grafton Centre and station
๐ EV Infrastructure & Nearby Options
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On-Site Charging: None currently installed
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Planned (2025): Feasibility study for 8 ร 7 kW chargers in west corner
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Nearest Chargers:
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Grafton East MSCP โ 10 ร 22 kW, 3-min walk
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Cambridge Station MSCP โ 8 ร 50 kW rapid, 5-min walk
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๐ Demand Patterns & Seasonal Variations
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 08:00โ10:00 | 90 % | Commuters & shoppers |
| Weekdays 12:00โ14:00 | 65 % | Lunch-time visitors |
| Weekdays 17:00โ19:00 | 75 % | Evening appointments |
| Saturdays 10:00โ14:00 | 95 % | Weekend shoppers |
| Sundays & Bank Holidays | 30 % | Leisure visitors |
Pro Tip: Take a ticket after 20:00 for free overnight exit by noon next day.
๐ถ Walkability & Transport Links
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Grafton Centre Shopping Mall | 1 min | Retail, dining & public toilets |
| Cambridge Railway Station | 5 min | Mainline & Greater Anglia services |
| Grand Arcade & Lion Yard | 3 min | Covered shopping & eateries |
| Bus Stop (Park Street) | Adjacent | Frequent routes across Cambridge |
๐ Nearby Amenities & Services
Essentials
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Public Toilets: Grafton Centre (1 min)
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ATM: Barclays (Station Road, 3 min)
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Pharmacy: Boots (Grafton East, 2 min)
Food & Drink
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Costa Coffee (ground floor): Grab-and-go
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Jamieโs Italian (2 min): Casual dining
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Urban Larder (3 min): Modern British cafรฉ
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton East MSCP | 3 min | ยฃ1.50/hr; ยฃ10 day | 24 h | Covered & EV charging |
| Station House MSCP | 5 min | ยฃ1.20/hr; ยฃ8 day | 24 h | Rapid chargers & Park Markยฎ |
| On-Street Pay & Display (Zone CP) | Adjacent | ยฃ0.40/30 min; 2 h max | 2 h | Short-stay flexibility via app |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices & Byelaws
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Enforcement: 08:00โ20:00 MonโSat; after-hours CCTV monitoring
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Overstay Penalty: ยฃ70 PCN (reduced to ยฃ35 if paid within 14 days)
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Lost Ticket Charge: ยฃ50 fee if ticket not presented at exit
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Maintenance: Quarterly surface & drainage inspections (next due Oct 2025)
๐ Expert Tips
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Evening Visits: Park after 20:00 and exit by noon next day for free.
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Blue Badge Holders: Display badge; use any marked bay near lifts.
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Weekend Market: Saturdays fill by 10:30โconsider Grafton East or Station House.
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Weather Alert: Upper levels of nearby MSCPs can be windy; park on lower levels in storms.
๐ฎ Future Developments & Planning
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2025 Q3: Installation of 8 ร 7 kW EV chargers funded by council grant
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2025 Q4: Pilot touchless pay-by-plate system for quicker exits
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2026: Feasibility study for +100 bays on adjacent council land (ref: RBWM/PLN/2024/960)
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Accessibility Audit: PAS 1899 compliance review scheduled for Jan 2026
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