🚗 Queen Street Car Park – Comprehensive Bedford Town Centre Parking Guide
Convenient pay-and-display parking on Princes Street – ideal for town centre shops, cafés & Bedford Station access.
🚗 Type: On-Street Pay & Display Surface Bays
🏛️ Jurisdiction: Bedford Borough Council
🕒 Open: 08:00 – 18:00 Mon–Sat (Sundays & Bank Holidays free)
🌟 Rating: 4.1 / 5 (local user feedback)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Tariff: £1.50 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
📊 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) |
♿ 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
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
Bedford Station NCP Car Park – 4×7 kW Pod Point units (5 min walk)
Sainsbury’s Bedford Town Centre – 2×22 kW GeniePoint units (7 min walk)
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Mornings (08–10) | ~85 % | Commuters & shoppers |
| Weekday Lunchtimes | ~65 % | Café visitors & errand runners |
| Saturdays (10–14) | ~90 % | Weekend shoppers |
| Evenings after 18:00 | ~20 % | Theatre & restaurant guests |
Pro Tip: Arrive after 14:00 Mon–Fri to find bays more easily; Sundays are free all day.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford High Street | 2 min | Retail shops, cafés & public toilets |
| Bedford Station | 5 min | Thameslink & East Midlands rail |
| St Paul’s Square | 3 min | Historic green space & events |
| Embankment Riverside Walk | 6 min | Scenic River Great Ouse path |
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland Road Multi-Storey (Council) | 0.3 mi (6 min) | £1.20/hr; £6/day | 24 h | Covered, CCTV & EV charging bays |
| St Mary’s Street Car Park (NCP) | 0.4 mi (8 min) | £2/day; £0.80 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 |
⚠️ Important Notices
Enforcement: Civil Enforcement Officers patrol Mon–Sat; PCNs £70 for non-payment or overstays
Overnight Parking: Prohibited—bays enforced until 18:00
Surface Warning: Painted markings can fade—drive with caution after rain
📌 Expert Tips
App Pre-Pay Hack: Use RingGo auto top-up to speed up arrival payments.
Sunday Stroll: Bays are free on Sundays—ideal for a riverside walk to the Embankment.
Badge Convenience: No need to hunt for marked bays—display your Blue Badge for free parking.
🔮 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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