Consultation on first free hour parking in Haverhill and Newmarket

Audience: Residents, visitors, stakeholders, businesses

Open: 12 May 2026 to 4 June 2026

A pilot scheme enabling shoppers in Haverhill and Newmarket to park for the first hour for free, could come into effect next month, subject to a statutory consultation.

And people coming to Bury St Edmunds could also be able to park for free between 8am and 10am on Mondays in the arc surface and underground car park.

Councillors agreed in February to use up to £1.2m of council reserves over two years to support local high streets with free parking trials.

West Suffolk Council is now advertising the parking changes under a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) a statutory consultation that enables people to put forward their views on the proposed change.

Subject to that consultation, the changes across the three towns will come into effect from Monday 15 June.

The changes in Haverhill would apply to Haverhill Arts Centre, Jubilee Walk, and Lower Downs Slade car parks, while in Newmarket All Saints, The Guineas, and Rous Road car parks would also be free for first hour.

People would still need to display a parking ticket during these free parking periods but wouldn’t have to pay. They could then pay to stay longer.

The use of reserves will help pay for the costs covered by car parking tariffs including maintenance and more than £1 million a year that has to be paid in business rates for the use of the land. These costs are not covered through Council Tax but through the income generated from car park users.

People can view and comment on the Traffic Regulation Order by emailing parking@westsuffolk.gov.uk

The deadline for comments is 4 June 2026.