Calls for more action on parking on St John's Square in Peterborough - as hundreds of tickets are handed out
There have been calls for more action to be taken to tackle parking on St John’s Square in Peterborough city centre.
Anyone who has been into the city centre in recent years will have regularly seen cars, minicabs and other vehicles parked up next to the bollards at the junction of Cross Street and Cowgate, near St John’s Church.
The spot is also a regular stopping off point for takeaway delivery drivers picking up orders.
A sign on the square says parking is for permit holders only – and hundreds of tickets have been issued to motorists who have stopped there over the past few months.
In fact, since April 1, more than 500 penalty charge notices have been issued to drivers for stopping in the area.
Peterborough City Council have also confirmed the bollards located on St John’s Square will be ‘upgraded’ later this year.
“I get really frustrated when I see cars parked illegally near St John’s church"
Writing on X (formally Twitter), Toby Wood, from the Peterborough Civic Society, said “Right Peterborough, if you do nothing else in 2026 – just sort this parking out! #MakeAnOldManHappy”
Speaking to The Peterborough Telegraph, he said that seeing the number of cars parked and stopped outside the beautiful St John’s Church was ‘frustrating.’ He said: “2026 should be the year of quick win. Along with many other people, I get really frustrated when I see cars parked illegally near St John’s church – all it needs is for the bollards to be moved back a few metres preventing people from parking there. it really isn’t that difficult – unless I’ve missed something!”
“Additional measures will be installed to prevent parking on this section of Cowgate"
Confirming the news that the bollards will be upgraded, A Peterborough City Council spokesperson said: “Enforcement takes place on a regular basis at this location and since 1 April 2025 a total of 501 Penalty Charge Notices have been issued on this section of Cowgate for no waiting/no loading.
“Bollards installed at this location to prevent parking on St Johns Square are due to be upgraded during 2026, at this time additional measures will be installed to prevent parking on this section of Cowgate.”