19 Jan 2026
An independent report into the impact of Harpenden’s controversial on-street parking charges have painted a grim picture for residents and retailers alike.
Last year Harpenden Town Council commissioned independent public sector research organisation Public Perspectives to gather the opinions of residents and businesses on accessing and visiting the town centre, including the consequences of changes to the limited waiting parking bays introduced by SADC last February.
In total, 3,724 residents responded to the survey from 3,495 households – representing 27 per cent of all households in the parish (and approximately 20 per cent of adult
residents). Additionally, 177 businesses participated out of a potential 242 – a healthy 73 per cent response rate.
The research revealed there are less visits to the town centre and less time and money spent compared to a year ago, with parking charges the most commonly cited reasons for changes in use or experience of the town centre.
The findings recorded a decline of approximately 2,000 less visits a week to the town centre – with 12,500 visits each week compared with 14,500 a year ago – which if the survey is representative of all adults in the parish would equate to approximately 10,000 less visits per week by all residents.
Additionally, respondents spend less time visiting the town centre, 39 per cent spend one to two hours on a typical visit compared with 45 per cent a year ago, and nine per cent spend two to three hours compared to 21 per cent a year ago. The decrease in time visiting the town centre has also been accompanied by a drop in the amount of money spent.
Changes to parking costs (cited by 56 per cent of respondents) is the most mentioned reason for changes to the way respondents visit the town centre compared to around a year ago. This is followed by changes to parking convenience (44 per cent), complex parking ticket/payment system (37 per cent) and changes to parking availability (33 per cent). In total, 70 per cent of respondents cited at least one parking associated reason for changes in their use or experience of the town centre.
More than two-thirds of respondents disagreed with the parking charges, and 53 per cent requested changes to restore one hour’s free parking.
For businesses, the survey revealed the parking charges have led to lower turnover and footfall, with declined business performance.
Almost half of respondents said their turnover was lower than a year ago, and 35 per cent said their overall business performance had declined compared to a year ago.
Around half of businesses cite parking as the reason for changes in their performance, especially businesses that have struggled over the last year, and 70 per cent disagreed with them.
For reactions and analysis see this week’s edition of the St Albans Times.
