MANY people have shared their anger that parking charges were not relaxed in Hereford on Remembrance Day. 

Drivers using any of the city's central car parks, such as Gaol Street, last Sunday (November 12) had to pay £5.40 for over two hours, although the ticket would then have been valid until 8am the following morning.

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Ironically, the on-street parking in Gaol Street was free during the day. In contrast, Swale Borough Council in Kent made their park carks free from 8am to 2pm, while North Norfolk District Council said it was offering free parking in some car parks on Remembrance Day for people to attend memorial events.

Hereford Times: It cost people £5.40 to park for more than two hours in Hereford on Sunday, despite Remembrance events taking placeIt cost people £5.40 to park for more than two hours in Hereford on Sunday, despite Remembrance events taking place (Image: Paul Rogers/Hereford Times)

Many people believe the high parking charges is one of the reasons why Hereford is struggling to attract people to the city, with a consequent affect on trade.

During April 2022 and March 2023, Herefordshire Council made £4,612,000 in parking charges across the county. Others have been critical of charging people to park during the hours when people gather to pay tribute to the Fallen.

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Debbie Galvin said she recently received a parking ticket in Union Street.

“I have a disability badge,” she said.

“I pulled up for 15 minutes, but the traffic warden must have been waiting.

“I appealed but my appeal was rejected.

“I know I should have checked but there were loads of space for lorries or delivery vans as apparently I parked in an unloading bay. To charge to park on Remembrance Day is disgraceful.

“Surely it’s a day to come together, no charge, to remember those who have already paid the price with their lives for our freedom.”

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Sophie Morgan said she paid £2.60 to park in Hereford and said it should have been free.

“We later moved the car to Bridge Street where it is free,” she said.

Coun Barry Durkin, cabinet member roads and regulatory services for Herefordshire Council, said:

“The current car parking policy, including the application of charges, has been in place and operating over the last few years.

“However, I am currently completing a review of this policy and its charges and how it may best assist in delivering our local transport plan objectives.

“This includes being aware of the most appropriate way that parking charges may be applied to enable access for residents and the needs of businesses in Hereford and the market towns.

“As part of this review considerations are being given specifically to the application of parking charges for important events such as Remembrance Sunday."

Editor's note: The article previously made reference to a military veteran being issued with a parking ticket in Hereford last Sunday (November 12) after going over his allotted time. 

We said he parked in Gaol Street so he could watch the parade and service in nearby St Owen Street and St Peter's Square. We have since been made aware that no penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued in any Herefordshire Council car parks between 10.13am and 1.05pm on the day in question. 

The council say that the only ones issued were on street for parking in taxi ranks, yellow lines or loading bays. Its officers are advised to be sensitive around enforcement during service periods.