Eaton Park car park fees start clarified for Norwich parkrun

The new tariff at Eaton Park is set to be introduced this Saturday, March 25, and will be in effect from 9am to 9pm daily, excluding Christmas Day.

But some concerns had been raised about their introduction, specifically regarding the weekly parkrun which is held every Saturday morning.

Runners, walkers and joggers at Eaton Park (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Hundreds of runners - who will be on the start line from 9am and arrive from 8am - could be left scratching their heads as to whether they need to pay for their parking.

Putting participators' racing minds at ease, a spokeswoman for Norwich City Council confirmed the new charges will come into effect at midday - when most will have already left the park.

"Parking charges at the two car parks at Eaton Park will come into effect from midday on Saturday, March 25, so anyone using the park this Saturday morning will not have to pay, unless they stay into the afternoon," the spokeswoman said.

One of Eaton Park's two car parks (Image: Google Street View)

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"The machines will be covered until they come into use, so people will not physically be able to buy a ticket until just before noon.

"From Sunday, March 26 onwards people will be able to buy tickets from the machines from 8am to display in their cars.

"Even if a ticket is bought at 8am, it will only be valid from 9am when the charges start, so people are not losing money on the first hour they are there."

Eaton Park (Image: Archant)

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Season tickets for regular users cost £40 for six months and £70 a year, equating to £2 a week. They can be purchased through the council’s website.

The much-debated charges have been set at £2 for up to four hours, £5 for up to five hours, £6 for up to six hours and more than six hours is £8, with contactless payment only. 

Peter Scott, co-event director at Norwich parkrun said: "At parkrun we actively encourage people to walk, jog or cycle to parkrun or to use public transport where possible."

The first parkrun event held at Eaton Park in Norwich (Image: Adrian Judd)