Parking charges at Stone railway station are set to be introduced from early November, with proposed daily rates of £5.90 at peak times and £4 off peak.
The latest details have been provided by the rail operator following months of questions and concerns over plans to begin charging for parking along Station Approach.
A covering letter sent to people who contacted the company states that it is now planning to introduce parking charges at Stone railway station from early November 2026.
It follows confirmation in June that charges were planned, when the operator told A Little Bit of Stone that the implementation date, tariff and full details were still being worked through.
Our earlier coverage of the plans can be read here. Rail operator confirms parking charges are planned at Stone station
£5.90 peak and £4 off peak
The proposed tariff is £5.90 per day at peak times and £4 off peak, applying from Monday to Saturday.
Parking would be free on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The information supplied by the operator does not state what time the £4 off peak rate begins, or whether shorter stay tariffs will be available for people who do not need to park for a full day.
Longer permit options are expected to be available.
Drivers dropping off or collecting passengers would have 20 minutes, while two free Blue Badge parking spaces are proposed close to the station entrance.
Parking would operate on a pay and display basis rather than using automatic number plate recognition. User would be able to pay either by card or online, with the scheme managed by SABA.
Community concerns
A number of local groups and individuals have raised concerns with the rail operator over the effect charges could have beyond rail passengers, including people using community facilities around Station Approach and the possibility of more vehicles parking on surrounding streets.
In its response, the operator says more than 90 per cent of the issues raised with it have related to the knock on impact on local groups and residents rather than rail use itself.
It says it understands those concerns but that its primary responsibility is to provide parking capacity for railway users.
The company believes the existing free and unrestricted arrangements have reduced the number of spaces available to rail passengers because Station Approach is also used by people who are not travelling by train.
One concession will see parking remain free on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The operator also says a permit system will be available covering four spaces for the community centre by mutual agreement.
Why the operator says charges are being introduced
Station Approach is owned by Network Rail.
The operator says it has been working with Network Rail to incorporate the parking area into an extended station lease.
That arrangement would allow charges to be introduced and enforced while also placing obligations on the train operator for matters including CCTV and agreed maintenance work.
The company says introducing charges is part of a wider move away from free station parking across the rail network and argues that rail operators are expected to maximise revenue while reducing the level of public subsidy required.
It also says there has not been a full public consultation because changing the station lease area is considered a railway matter which does not require one.
However, discussions have taken place with local councillors, the North Staffordshire Rail User Group and others who have contacted the company.
The operator acknowledged that installation of the payment machine before the lease change process had been completed had raised concerns.
The charges are due to arrive shortly before improvements to Stone’s train services in December, when the existing service through Stone and Stafford is due to be extended to Birmingham New Street. A further extension north from Crewe to Manchester Airport is planned from May 2027.
2 comments
Natalie Taylor
It sounds like you only get free parking with blue badge if parked in one of the two disabled bays. If they are taken and you park in different space but have a blue badge do you need to pay? It reads like this.
John
Another classic jobsworth change to supposedly improve the availability of carparking for rail users and dissuade non rail users from parking there.
Lets think….If I travel from here 5 days a week to work it will cost me £29.50 to park.
The carpark will be empty and the surrounding streets even more congested….but no doubt the jobsworths are already buying more yellow paint for no parking lines around the station area.
I wonder if any of the jobsworths agree that footfall in towns drops proportionate to carparking charges ? And they want more people to use Stone rail station by charging £5.90 a day ? Good luck.