Slough Borough Council is introducing new parking charges at nine parks and leisure sites across the area starting 27 April 2026. Visitors will be granted a free parking period ranging from two to four hours depending on the location, after which charges will apply, and a two-hour no-return rule will be strictly enforced at all sites.
The nine affected locations are Salt Hill Park, Slough Ice Arena, Langley Leisure Centre, The Centre, Upton Court Park, Lascelles Park, Cippenham Recreation Ground, Harvey Park, and Manor Park Recreation Ground. Following a public consultation held in late 2025, the council adjusted its plans to provide longer free periods at several of these sites, including increasing the time at Salt Hill Park and Slough Ice Arena to four hours.
For stays exceeding the free time, residents will need to pay using the RingGo mobile app or phone system, which includes a 20p convenience fee. Payments can also be made at PayPoint locations, as the council has transitioned to a cashless parking system borough-wide. At six of the nine sites, costs for extended parking are set at £5 for 3 to 5 hours, £10 for 5 to 10 hours, and £20 for 10 to 24 hours. These charges apply to all visitors, including Blue Badge holders, as they are not exempt from the new rules.
The council noted that it has engaged with specific groups, such as the Upton Scouts and Cippenham Bowls Club, to address individual parking needs. Additionally, nursery staff working at the affected sites will be issued special parking permits.
These changes follow a period of severe financial difficulty for the local authority, which declared effective bankruptcy in 2021. With significant debt and a projected £20.7 million overspend for the 2025/26 financial year, the council has requested £42.9 million in Exceptional Financial Support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for 2026-27 to manage its budget recovery.
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