Around 1,150 motorists a day are now using the on-street pay-and-display bays in Harpenden, according to St Albans City and District Council, which brought in charges at some limited-waiting bays after a public consultation. The council has also confirmed that cash can now be used to pay at the bays, alongside the app, in both Harpenden and St Albans city centre.
Cash matters here: the original app-only arrangement quietly excluded anyone without a smartphone or a signal on the High Street, and the fix should have come with the meters, not after them. The council has separately warned that the upper storey of the Bowers Way West car park will close for about five weeks for structural repairs, which will push more of those drivers onto the streets. The question for the autumn is whether the daily figure holds up once the car park reopens, and what the charges have actually raised.
- An average of 1,150 motorists a day are parking at on-street parking bays in Harpenden following the introduction of charges, according to St Albans City and District Council.
- Cash payments can now be made for on-street car parking bays in Harpenden and St Albans city centre.
- The charges were introduced at some limited waiting on-street bays following a public consultation.
- The upper storey of Bowers Way West car park in Harpenden is to close for an estimated five weeks for essential structural repairs.
Every factual claim in this story is linked to the evidence behind it. Where the newsroom has added judgement or framing, it is listed separately. Sources accessed 6 September 2026.
- www.stalbans.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport (council web page)
Claim by claim (4 facts, 2 editorial judgements)
- An average of 1,150 motorists a day are parking at on-street parking bays in Harpenden following the introduction of charges, according to St Albans City and District Council. — council web page“Update on on-street car parking bay charges in Harpenden and St Albans An average 1,150 motorists a day are parking at on-street parking bays in Harpenden following the introduction of charges.”
- Cash payments can now be made for on-street car parking bays in Harpenden and St Albans city centre. — council web page“Cash payments now available for on-street parking bays Cash payments can now be made for on-street car parking bays in Harpenden and St Albans City Centre.”
- The charges were introduced at some limited waiting on-street bays following a public consultation. — council web page“Charges are to be introduced at some limited waiting on-street parking bays in St Albans and Harpenden following an extensive public consultation.”
- The upper storey of Bowers Way West car park in Harpenden is to close for an estimated five weeks for essential structural repairs. — council web page“Temporary closure of Harpenden car park’s upper storey The upper storey of Bowers Way West car park in Harpenden is to be closed for an estimated five weeks to allow for essential structural repairs.”
- Judgement: An app-only payment system excluded drivers without smartphones, and cash should have been available from the start.
- Judgement: The car park closure will push more drivers onto on-street bays.
