Wakefield Council announces date for two hours free parking to begin
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Two hours of free parking starts from Monday 17 November, as part of Wakefield Council’s work to support residents, visitors and businesses.
“From 17 November anyone coming into our city and town centres can get at least two hours free parking.
“We’ve listened to local businesses and our residents who’ve been telling us how much they value support like this. Making it easier to spend time in our city and towns.
“We know residents want to see our city and town centres thriving. And we want more people to spend more of their money with our amazing local businesses.
“You can continue to count on us. Every penny we can save from being more efficient or doing things differently will get pumped back into the district, whenever we can.”
Cllr Matthew Morley
Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways
The parking offer includes all Council owned off street car parks in the city centre, Castleford, Pontefract, Ossett, Normanton and South Elmsall. It excludes parking in the country parks at Newmillerdam, Anglers and Pugneys. Offering free two-hour parking can boost local businesses in towns and cities by increasing footfall and encouraging longer visits.
On top of the free parking, the Council is providing over £1 million of funding to help businesses improve their shops and increase security. And have recently ensured that pavement café licences remain free. As well as boosting footfall by continuing to bring great events to the high street, including at our local markets.
The Council has managed local finances responsibly at the same time as focusing resources on frontline services. Those decisions have helped support the reintroduction of this popular free parking offer, which will provide an important boost to the local economy.