Car Parks

The Borough Council currently provides and maintains a total of 30 Pay and Display car parks throughout the four town centres of Alfreton, Belper, Heanor and Ripley. There are also a number of free car parks in outlying villages. Details of the charges and locations of car parks is available on this web page.

The Borough Council operates Civil Parking Enforcement in partnership with Derbyshire County Council for both off street and on street parking. For further information please visit the Parksmarter website.

In certain Pay and Display car parks eligible residents and business users may purchase Permits which are valid for various periods up to one year. Most car parks have spaces close to key facilities marked specifically for the use by disabled persons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to pay for parking?
In addition to raising income to pay for the maintenance of existing, and the provision of new car parks, charges also help to ensure that there is an adequate turnover of parking spaces during the day, which are then available for shoppers and short term visitors.
If the Council did not charge the users of the parking facilities, the cost of the maintenance would fall on the Council Tax payers and visitors using the facilities would make no contribution. Shoppers and short term visitors would also find a shortage of available space particularly in areas where a lot of commuter parking occurs.

Why don't you pay for the car parks maintenance with savings you would make if you no longer needed to employ patrol staff?
Even if parking was free, patrolling would still be required for a number of reasons. In order to provide a regular supply of convenient parking spaces for shoppers during the day, a maximum period of waiting would need to be introduced, and this, together with the disabled persons parking and other regulations would still need to be enforced.
Also the patrol staff act as a deterrent to crime, and identify areas in need of maintenance.

Why don't you provide change machines?
Unfortunately, change machines would be an inviting target for theft. The very nature of the machines requires that they be full of cash at all times. Ticket machines, on the other hand, are emptied on a regular basis, ensuring no cash is left in them overnight.

Why don't I get a refund if I pay for an hour and only stay for five minutes?
The charging structure is such that any stay between the cost increments is the same charge. Therefore the fee for five minutes is the same as that for 60 minutes, and for 1 hour 5 minutes is the same for 2 hours. The Council is very aware of the competition from "out of town" shopping stores and neighbouring local authorities and these factors are borne in mind when setting the parking fees.
The Council believes that its fees are competitive by comparison with other neighbouring centres with similar shopping facilities.

Why can't I pick someone up and drop someone off in the car parks?
You can, but you must ensure that you comply with the parking regulations by stopping in a marked bay and purchasing a parking ticket.
The car parks are provided for the off street parking of vehicles. If casual setting down/picking up were to be allowed, congestion problems would be created, causing delays and frustration to car park users.

Amber Valley Borough Council is committed to customer care and the first priority of the Civil Enforcement Officer is to assist the motorist with the parking of his/her vehicle.

Any vehicle not displaying a valid car parking ticket will be subject to a penalty charge notice. Tickets are non transferable between carparks.

Fees

Parking fees can be found at the Car Park Locations page.

Parking Fines

If you have been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice please follow the instructions on the reverse of the notice.  All tickets are issued by Parksmarter and if any further information is required you can contact them on 08456 058 058.

Controlled Parking Zones

A Controlled Parking Zone is on street parking with a time limit which is indicated on a nearby signpost.  Derbyshire County Council manage Controlled Parking Zones in Amber Valley.