Parking charges approved for Forge Island car park
NEW parking charges have been approved for the Forge Island car park in Rotherham, alongside changes to how free parking is offered to customers visiting businesses on the site.
Under the new tariff, drivers will be able to park for free for up to one hour. Parking for up to two hours will cost £2.50, rising to £5 for up to four hours, and £8 for up to 24 hours. The charges will apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
At the same time, parking concessions are being extended beyond the cinema and hotel. Customers of all businesses located within the Forge Island development will be able to access up to four hours of free parking through a concession system.
The changes were approved through an officer executive decision signed off on December 24, 2025, and will be reviewed after 12 months.
According to the council’s report, Forge Island operates primarily as a destination car park for visitors to its restaurants, cinema and other venues.
However, officers say operational issues and concessionary parking arrangements meant the car park was not being used as intended. Parking wardens are often in attendance to ask drivers whether they are using the Forge Island businesses.
The report warns that low-cost and concessionary parking encouraged use of the car park by non-customers, while businesses reported that genuine customers were struggling to find spaces.
Council officers say the revised charges are intended to discourage long-stay parking by non-customers, while the expanded concession scheme is designed to protect parking for people visiting Forge Island businesses.
Free parking for Blue Badge holders will remain in place, and there will continue to be a 30-minute grace period to allow for drop-offs, pick-ups, deliveries and waste collections.
The new charging system is expected to be introduced in early February, once signage and equipment are in place.