Reform UK's free Doncaster city centre parking trial may not continue as footfall continues to decline
“Early monitoring indicates that footfall has continued to decline.”
Early monitoring of a first-hour-free parking trial in Doncaster city centre has suggested footfall in the area is falling, rather than rising.
The trial formed part of Reform UK’s City of Doncaster Council budget amendment for 2026/27, and was requested by local Conservative councillors as a condition of their support.
However, a new report suggests the free parking scheme is not expected to continue when the trial ends in March 2027.
An update on the council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) states: “Early monitoring indicates that footfall has continued to decline whilst parking income has reduced as anticipated.
“However, a more detailed evaluation is required to understand the overall impact of the trial and any wider influencing factors.”
Doncaster Council is controlled by a directly-elected mayor, Labour’s Ros Jones, whose hand-picked cabinet is made up entirely of Labour councillors.
The Mayor and cabinet make the vast majority of key decisions in the council, despite the fact Reform UK holds a majority in the council chamber.
One of the few areas where the council chamber has influence is the annual budget, determined in February each year.
In February 2026, Reform UK imposed its own amendment to Mayor Jones’ proposals.
Reform UK reduced the proposed council tax increase from the maximum 4.99 per cent to just two per cent.
The amendment came with warnings from the council’s chief financial officer, Faye Tyas, that whilst the amendment may offer a balanced budget in 2026/27, significant savings would likely be needed in future years.