๐ Queen Street Car Park โ Comprehensive Bedford Town Centre Parking Guide
Convenient pay-and-display parking on Princes Street โ ideal for town centre shops, cafรฉs & Bedford Station access.
๐ Type: On-Street Pay & Display Surface Bays
๐๏ธ Jurisdiction: Bedford Borough Council
๐ Open: 08:00 โ 18:00 MonโSat (Sundays & Bank Holidays free)
๐ Rating: 4.1 / 5 (local user feedback)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Tariff: ยฃ1.50 per hour (no maximum stay)
Payment: Pay machines (card/contactless) or RingGo app (Zone ID: 8452)
Blue Badge Holders: Free up to 3 hours (display badge & register via RingGo)
Permits: None available for on-street bays
Future Changes: Council consulting on extended evening free-parking trial
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Bays | ~30 marked bays |
| Surface | Asphalt with painted bay markings |
| Lighting | Street-lamp illumination |
| Security | CCTV in vicinity & periodic council patrols |
| Height Limit | None (suitable for cars & small vans) |
โฟ Accessibility
Blue Badge: Park free in any bay (no marked bays)
Accessible Routes: Drop-kerb crossings to pavement; level paving to High Street
Drop-Off Zone: Layby immediately outside Princes Street entrance
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
Bedford Station NCP Car Park โ 4ร7 kW Pod Point units (5 min walk)
Sainsburyโs Bedford Town Centre โ 2ร22 kW GeniePoint units (7 min walk)
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Mornings (08โ10) | ~85 % | Commuters & shoppers |
| Weekday Lunchtimes | ~65 % | Cafรฉ visitors & errand runners |
| Saturdays (10โ14) | ~90 % | Weekend shoppers |
| Evenings after 18:00 | ~20 % | Theatre & restaurant guests |
Pro Tip: Arrive after 14:00 MonโFri to find bays more easily; Sundays are free all day.
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford High Street | 2 min | Retail shops, cafรฉs & public toilets |
| Bedford Station | 5 min | Thameslink & East Midlands rail |
| St Paulโs Square | 3 min | Historic green space & events |
| Embankment Riverside Walk | 6 min | Scenic River Great Ouse path |
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland Road Multi-Storey (Council) | 0.3 mi (6 min) | ยฃ1.20/hr; ยฃ6/day | 24 h | Covered, CCTV & EV charging bays |
| St Maryโs Street Car Park (NCP) | 0.4 mi (8 min) | ยฃ2/day; ยฃ0.80 off-peak | 24 h | Pre-book via app & Blue Badge bays |
| Riverside Car Park (Council) | 0.5 mi (10 min) | Free (2 h max) | 2 h; return after 1 h | Riverside views & picnic spots |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Enforcement: Civil Enforcement Officers patrol MonโSat; PCNs ยฃ70 for non-payment or overstays
Overnight Parking: Prohibitedโbays enforced until 18:00
Surface Warning: Painted markings can fadeโdrive with caution after rain
๐ Expert Tips
App Pre-Pay Hack: Use RingGo auto top-up to speed up arrival payments.
Sunday Stroll: Bays are free on Sundaysโideal for a riverside walk to the Embankment.
Badge Convenience: No need to hunt for marked baysโdisplay your Blue Badge for free parking.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025: Bedford Borough Council piloting real-time occupancy sensors linked to RingGo.
2026+: Feasibility study for installing solar-powered EV charging bays in town centre car parks.
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