Croydon to offer free overnight parking but reviews discounts for electric vehicles
By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter
Car parks across Croydon will now offer free overnight parking.
The waived charges, which went live on August 13, will apply seven days a week from 6pm to 6.59am the following day.
The Tory-led council hopes that waiving such charges will help those working unsociable hour shifts in the borough, while boosting Croydon’s nighttime economy.
In announcing the latest parking measure, Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “This will make it fairer, simpler and more consistent across Croydon for our residents and visitors who need to park at night in our district centres, which will help them save money on an evening out or when working late.”
The list of district centre car parks with free overnight parking include Clifford Road car park in South Norwood, Garnet Road Car park in Thornton Heath, Granville Gardens car park in Norbury, Lion Green Road car park in Coulsdon, Russell Hill Place car park in Purley, Sanderstead Road car park and Central Parade car park in New Addington.
But, the council attracted backlash from some drivers when it announced that parking discounts for electric vehicle drivers would be reviewed.
The council said: “The discount offer now more fairly reflects the vehicles parking on the borough’s streets, while not penalising less efficient vehicles that are often used by those that are less likely to be able to upgrade their vehicle.”
The changes have been accompanied by a wholesale move away from cash-based street parking meters, towards a reliance on the RingGo app, in anticipation of the 3G network shutdown which was expected to happen by the end of June 2024.
This has received strong criticism from many in the borough, especially the elderly population who believe the change will deter them from being able to shop in some areas. The council has said that parking can still be paid for in cash at nearby PayPoints.
Pictured top: Croydon council HQ (Picture: Harrison Galliven)