Where Can You Get Two Hours Free Parking In Wakefield And Why Is The Council Scrapping Charges?

Ever decided against popping into town just because of the faff and cost of parking? You find a spot, hunt for change, or mess about with an app, all for a quick ten-minute errand. Well, for anyone living in or visiting the Wakefield district, that headache might soon be a thing of the past. Great news was announced on 03 September 2025 – Wakefield Council has laid out plans to bring back two hours of free parking across its city and town centres. This is a big deal for shoppers, local businesses, and anyone who fancies a browse without watching the clock.

A boost for local businesses and your wallet

Let's be honest, high streets have had it tough lately. Competing with online shopping is no easy feat. That's why this move by Wakefield Council is more than just a nice little perk for drivers; it's a proper helping hand for all the brilliant local businesses that make the town centres what they are. The whole idea is to get more people back onto the high street, spending time and money in local shops, cafés, and restaurants. Think about it – you’re much more likely to meet a friend for a coffee and then have a wander if you know you've got a decent chunk of free parking time up your sleeve.

It's a move that comes directly from listening to the people who live and work in the area. Local businesses and residents have been clear about what would help, and it seems the council has paid attention. Cllr Matthew Morley, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways, put it perfectly:

“I’m really pleased that we’re bringing back the two-hour free parking offer as soon as possible. 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.”

And it’s not just about giving something away for free. The council has promised that any money saved by being more efficient will be ploughed straight back into the district. So, everyone benefits. Cllr Morley added:

“Residents and businesses 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.”

This is a real initiative to boost the high street and support the community.

Where exactly can you park for free?

So, where can you take advantage of this fantastic offer? The proposal covers all council-owned off-street car parks in the main shopping areas. This means you can get your two hours of free parking in:

• Wakefield city centre
• Castleford
• Pontefract
• Ossett
• Normanton
• South Elmsall

That's a pretty wide area, making it easier to shop local no matter which part of the district you're in. It’s important to know where the free parking doesn't apply, though. The offer excludes the car parks at the lovely country parks like Newmillerdam, Anglers, and Pugneys. This makes sense when you think about it, as these are leisure spots where people tend to spend a whole afternoon, so the parking needs are a bit different. The focus of this new initiative is squarely on supporting the high street businesses in our city and town centres.

More than just parking – the bigger picture

Scrapping parking charges is a brilliant headline, but it's actually just one piece of a much larger plan to help the district’s town centres shine. The council is rolling out a whole package of support to make the high streets more attractive and successful. Cllr Denise Jeffery, the Leader of Wakefield Council, stressed that this is part of a wider commitment to helping local businesses thrive.

So, what else is happening? Well, on top of the free parking, there's over £1 million in funding being provided to help businesses improve their shops and increase security. There's also been a recent move to ensure pavement café licences remain free. This is what allows cafés and restaurants to have tables and chairs outside, creating that lovely bustling atmosphere, especially when the sun is out. It’s all about making the town centres lively and appealing places to be.

“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. On top of the free parking, we’re 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. All helping more people to experience everything the wonderful businesses in our district have to offer.”

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council

By bringing exciting events to the high streets and local markets, the council is working to boost footfall and encourage everyone to see what the fantastic local businesses have to offer. This is a comprehensive initiative designed to support residents and businesses alike and ensure our town centres are places people want to visit time and time again.

So, when does this actually start?

Now for the big question: when can you leave your purse at home and enjoy the free parking? The plan needs to get the official green light first. It’s expected to be formally approved at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 16 September. Once that happens, it's not quite as simple as just putting bags over the ticket machines. There’s a legal process that needs to be followed.

This process is required by something called the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 (RTRA), which is basically the official rulebook for all things traffic and parking. Changing parking rules means updating this official record, and that takes a bit of time. The council officers will get started on this as soon as the plan is approved, and the whole thing could be completed within the next 12 weeks. So, while it won't happen overnight, residents, visitors, and businesses can look forward to two hours of free parking being introduced very soon, giving everyone a welcome boost.