14/03/22: New Attleborough car park trial starts 21 March

Residents and businesses in and around Attleborough are being reminded that a new car park trial starts next week (21 March). The trial aims to increase parking spaces in Queen's Square car park and allow shoppers even greater access to the wide range of independent high street shops.

The six-month trial will offer a free three-hour stay in Queen's Square car park, with no return within one hour, imposed between 08:00 and 18:00, Monday to Saturday. Allowances will be made for the market traders using the marked market trader bays on Thursdays. The council's other local car parks will remain available for long-stay use, alongside privately-run car parks. 

Cllr Paul Hewett, Breckland's Executive Member for Property and Projects commented: "This new trial in Queen's Square car park, which is part of our Thriving Breckland programme, will examine how a three-hour free parking offer can help develop a churn in spaces in the car park, increase footfall into the town and bring in more shoppers from further afield, attracted by more accessible free parking and a wide range of independent stores."

Cllr Philip Leslie, Mayor of Attleborough commented: "We welcome the car park trial to examine if more people visit the towns shops and services and will be monitoring the impact very closely throughout the 6-month period. The trial will offer us a unique chance to review how shoppers use local car parks. We are aware of the need for long term parking alternatives and are working with Breckland to identify solutions."

During the trial the impact of the enforced time-limit will be reviewed, and a final decision will then be made on whether to make this change permanent after six months.