Changes to Town Hall / Hope Lodge Car Parks

Barrier removal

On 22nd June the barriers were removed from Town Hall and Hope Lodge car parks. The reasons for this are:

  1. To save money, which can be invested in essential Council services. The cost to maintain the barrier-controlled system for just one year was more than the cost of removing the barriers and will save on operational costs going forward.
  2. To ensure that people can access the car parks more easily. Issues with barriers caused by mechanical failure, bad weather and anti-social behaviour; and issues with tokens, for example users losing tokens or tokens running out, caused queues at the barriers and delays for people trying to use the car park.  
  3. To help people plan their parking tariff. By using RingGo or Pay and Display, car park users can pay for their parking in advance. These systems are working very well in other Epsom and Ewell Borough car parks. RingGo also allows people to extend their car parking session (when permitted) using the app on a mobile phone. Pay and display machines accept cash and card payment. They do not provide change.

Fees

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council usually reviews its car park charges every 2 years. Income generated from car park charges is used to maintain car parks and fund other essential Council services which do not generate their own income.

In April 2022, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council was able to freeze charges in key locations including the Ashley Centre, Depot Road and Ewell Village car parks to support town centre retailers; and in Hook Road to support local businesses and commuters.

It was necessary to increase charges for the Town Hall and Hope Lodge Car Parks where some tariffs had not increased in recent years.  The car parks are still well used by those happy to pay the charge for a short visit. There are cheaper alternatives for people who can park elsewhere and walk a short distance.

Blue badge holders are offered one hour of free parking on expiry of a pay and display ticket - so a badge holder can pay for up to 30 minutes, but stay for an hour and a half.

If you are driving a petrol or diesel car, please remember to switch your engines off when parked in the car park.

Cycle racks are provided within the Town Hall car parks as well as in the Ashley Centre car park and Epsom Marketplace.