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A message from North Herts District Council...
Changes to car parking fees and permits in North Herts coming into effect on 20 April 2026.
Increases in car parking fees are being implemented on the 20 April 2026 in North Herts Council operated car parks in Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City, Royston, and Knebworth.
The changes are:
Off street council-run car parks
Parking in council-operated car parks in Hitchin will increase by 10p per hour after the first hour of parking except for the Lairage long stay car park, where 10p will only be added to the all-day rate.
Parking in council-operated car parks in Letchworth will increase by 10p per hour after the first 2 hours of parking. The free 2-hour parking sessions at the Norton Common car parks remain unchanged.
The post-3pm flat rate charges in Hitchin and Letchworth Council operated car parks will not increase and therefore remain unchanged.
Parking in council-operated car parks in Royston will increase by 10p for the first hour and post-3pm flat rate charges will increase to £1 (from 50p previously subsidised by Royston First BID and Royston Town Council). All other tariffs will reduce in a bid to align parking fees across the council-owned car parks in Royston. The Civic Centre car park will have a flat rate of £1 for up to 3hrs parking. The all-day parking at the long stay car parks will also reduce to £4.00. Conversations are continuing with Royston Town Council and Royston First BID regarding potential parking tariff subsidy options in the future.
Parking fees in St. Martins car park, Knebworth will remain as is, except for the 4-hour rate which will increase by 10p.
Parking fees in Twitchell car park, Baldock will remain unaltered.
Season tickets and Business permits in St. Martins Road car park, Knebworth
1-month season tickets will increase by £2 and 12-month season tickets will increase by £15. 6-month business permits will increase by £3 and 12-month business permits will increase by £5.
On-street resident permit parking
6-month permits will increase by £1, from £43 to £44 and 12-month permits will increase by £2, from £86 to £88. Visitor ticket books will increase by 50p, from £12.50 to £13.00. These new resident permit charges will come into effect on 1 May 2026.
The changes in car parking fees follow consultation with Community Forums and key stakeholders in December 2025 including the Hitchin, Letchworth, and Royston First BIDs, Royston Town Council and Knebworth Parish Council.
Councillor Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place, explained: “North Herts Council continues to work hard to keep car parking fee increases to a minimum. The decision to increase car parking fees slightly has not been taken lightly but will enable North Herts Council to continue delivering our parking services to the high standard our users are used to. Parking after 6pm and on Sundays, bank and public holidays will continue to be free. We are continuing conversations with Royston Town Council and Royston First BID regarding potential parking tariff subsidy options in the future.”
For details of new hourly rates in all North Herts Council operated car parks, please visit: www.north-herts.gov.uk/street-parking-tariffs
