CHARGES have increased at council-led car parks across St Helens town centre.

Earlier this year, St Helens Council approved standardised charges across the town centre car parks, to ensure that each (long stay and short stay) car park charges the same fees.

This has resulted in increases to many car parking fees, although there have been some decreases at shorter stay car parks.

The council said that this decision was made as there has no changes to car parking charges since 2017, and that there was "inconsistent pricing" across the town centre.

Last year, the Star reported that St Helens Council had lost £69,000 from the maintenance of local authority-owned car parks between 2022 and 2023.

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Car parking fees

The standardised car parking fees across St Helens Council's long stay car parks are as follows:

  • Up to 1 hour - £1
  • Up to 2 hours - £1.50
  • Up to 3 hours - £2
  • Up to 4 hours - £3
  • Over 4 hours - £4
  • Saturday - £1 (All Day)

These long stay car parks include Birchley Street, Central Street, North John Street, Mill Street, Parr Street, Tolver Street, and Ward Street.

For many of these car parks, the fees have increased from 80p for up to one hour, £1.20 for up to two hours, £1.80 for up to three hours, and £2.80 for up to five hours.

Saturday prices remain at £1 all day, although this has increased from 50p for up to two hours.

Fees for short stay car parks slightly differ. These charges are as follows: 

  • Up to 1 hour - £1
  • Up to 2 hours - £2
  • Up to 3 hours - £3
  • Up to 4 hours - £4
  • Over 4 hours - £6 
  • Saturday - £1
  • Matchday evening parking - £1.50 

Short stay car parks include the Cotham Street, Millennium Centre, Tontine, and Waterloo Street facilities.

These prices have slightly decreased from £1.50 for up to two hours, £2.20 for up to three hours, and £4.40 for up to four hours.

On street parking charges cost £1 for up to one hour and £2 for up to two hours. Saturday charges cost £1 for up to two hours.

The charging times are in force from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm. Parking remains free on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Parking charges an 'important source of income'

A St Helens Council spokesperson said: "The council reviews its fees and charges on an annual basis as part of our budget setting process.

"During last year’s review of parking services, it was noted that there had been no changes to car park charges in St Helens Town Centre since 2017 and that there was inconsistent pricing across long stay and short stay car parks. 

"As a result, earlier this year the council approved standardised charges across the St Helens Town Centre which has meant an increase on some tariffs and a decrease in others. These changes were implemented in recent weeks.

"Our parking charges remain competitive and an important source of income that helps us to balance our budget. And we maintain a number of concessions to support visitors and town centre businesses including annual permits offering great savings and all-day parking on Saturdays for just £1."