St Helens car parking charges set to rise under new plans

The proposed changes would see the cost of parking increase by up to 20p at several council-run town centre car parks.

At Birchley Street, Central Street, Mill Street, North John Street, Parr Street, Tolver Street and Ward Street, drivers currently pay £1.10 for up to an hour.

That would rise to £1.20 under the proposed new charges.

Parking for up to two hours would increase from £1.60 to £1.70, while three hours would rise from £2.10 to £2.20.

Parking charges are set to rise in St Helens (Image: Google Maps)

The cost of parking for up to four hours would increase from £3.20 to £3.30, while stays of more than four hours would rise from £4.20 to £4.40.

Saturday parking at the car parks would also increase from £1.10 to £1.20 for the whole day.

Parking would remain free on Sundays and bank holidays.

The current charges are published on the council's website, while the proposed figures are set out in the council's 2026 Parking Charges Order.

Charges at the Millennium Centre and Tontine multi-storey car parks would also increase.

At those sites, parking for up to one hour would rise from £1.10 to £1.20, while two hours would increase from £2.10 to £2.20.

Three hours would rise from £3.20 to £3.30 and four hours from £4.20 to £4.40.

The charge for parking for more than four hours would increase from £6.30 to £6.50.

On-street parking charges are also proposed to increase.

The current charge is £1.10 for up to one hour Monday to Friday and £2.10 for up to two hours.

Under the proposed order, those charges would increase to £1.20 and £2.20 respectively.

Saturday on-street parking would rise from 60p to 70p for up to two hours.

The council said the charges are reviewed annually as part of its budget-setting process.

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

"Parking charges in St Helens town centre remain among the lowest in the region and are an important source of income that helps us to balance our budget.

"We maintain a number of concessions to support visitors and town centre businesses including annual permits that offer savings, all-day parking on Saturdays for just £1.20, and free parking on Sundays.

"We will continue to monitor parking provision and town centre activity to make sure St Helens remains accessible, competitive and welcoming for residents, visitors and businesses alike."

The consultation on the proposed changes ends today, September 24.

The council has said that if no objections are received, a second notice will be published in the St Helens Star next week stating when the new fees and charges will become operational.