Hillingdon Council has published its draft budget for 2026/27, which includes significant increases to parking charges across the borough, alongside changes to resident discounts and how parking is paid for. In the first of a series of articles on the draft budget, we look at the changes proposed for parking in Ruislip and across the borough.
A public consultation on the budget is now open, and residents are encouraged to take part before final decisions are made in February.
Why parking charges are rising
The council is facing severe financial pressure, driven in part by rising demand for services, inflation and long-standing funding constraints affecting local government (and not just because of asylum or Chagos, as is sometimes claimed).
In its draft budget (7MB PDF, 188 pages), the council states that it is seeking around £150 million of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from central government. Without this support, it says it would not be able to set a balanced budget or continue to operate as required.
Alongside EFS, the draft budget relies on a combination of spending reductions, service changes and increased fees and charges — with parking forming one of the largest individual income-raising areas.
Over £1.2 million a year from parking tariffs
According to the council’s own figures, changes to parking tariffs are expected to raise £1.232 million per year, starting from April.
This income comes from:
- Higher parking charges across on-street, surface and multi-storey car parks
- Reduced or altered resident discounts
- Limits on free parking through the Hillingdon First Card
- New charges at certain locations, including Ruislip Lido
Separately, the budget also lists £95,000 per year in operational savings from “changes to parking payment options”, shown for two consecutive years.
What the increases look like in practice
The charging schedule runs to several pages, but some examples illustrate the scale of the changes residents will see.
On-street parking (including parts of Ruislip and Ruislip Manor)
In many on-street pay-and-display bays, the first 30 minutes remains free for Hillingdon First Card holders, after which the paid tariff applies.
Beyond the free half hour, the draft charges show sharp increases. For example:
- Up to one hour for residents rises from £1.10 to £1.50 (around 36%)
- Up to 90 minutes rises from £1.10 to £2.10 — an increase of 90.91%
- Up to two hours rises from £2.00 to £3.30 (around 65%)
The charging schedule also includes some on-street bays without any initial free period, where charging begins immediately.
St Martin’s Approach car park, Ruislip
At St Martin’s Approach, widely used by residents visiting Ruislip High Street and Manor Farm:
- Up to two hours rises from £1.70 to £2.90 (around 70%)
- Up to three hours rises from £2.00 to £3.30 (around 65%)
These increases come at a time when residents have also been told the car park may need to close temporarily during redevelopment works, increasing pressure on nearby parking.
After we published this story, it was posted to a local Facebook community group where there was discussion of the Lido parking charges.
The Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Eddie Lavery, joined the discussion to say “The charges schedule regarding Ruislip Lido in winter for resident’s parking under 3 hours is incorrect in the draft budget”.
The £3.80 price, and others we note below, shows on p173/188 (labelled p169) in the Fees & Charges table for “Ruislip Lido Main Car Park, Willow Lawn Car Park & Breakspear Crem Overflow Car Park” but we of course accept that it is simply a draft budget and subject to change.
Ruislip Lido: winter charges introduced after the summer
One of the most notable local changes affects Ruislip Lido.
Historically, residents have been able to park for free at the Lido during the low season (September to April). Under the draft budget:
- Residents would pay £3.80 for up to three hours (or £5.50 for over three hours)
- Non-residents would pay £6.40 (or £9.10 for over three hours)
- These charges would apply from September, after the end of the 2026 summer season
Short-stay parking for residents remains free during the high season (May to August) and £11.20 for residents or £18.60 for non-residents for more than three hours.
Although the charge is relatively modest, it represents a change in long-standing practice, as residents have not previously paid to park for less than three hours at the Lido.
By contrast, Bayhurst Wood and Mad Bess Wood car parks are not listed in the council’s charging schedule, indicating that they remain free under the current proposals. The budget papers do not explain the differing approach.
Changes to Hillingdon First Card free parking
The budget also proposes removing multiple daily free parking sessions for Hillingdon First Card holders.
It actually says “Removal of Multiple Daily Free HFC Parking Sessions” with no additional detail. We are building a list of queries about the budget, and asking for more detail on this is one of our pending requests – we’ll update with more detail when we get it. What’s certain is that this change is expected to raise £65,000 per year, but whether it would limit residents to one free short stay per day, or just a reduction in the current unlimited number of free periods across the borough, it isn’t yet clear. Nevertheless, it would reduce the value of the scheme for frequent users in any form.
How parking is paid for
Alongside higher charges, the council plans “changes to parking payment options”, which are expected to save £95,000 per year, with the saving repeated in a second year.
The budget documents do not specify how this saving would be achieved. We will be asking for more details but we wonder if this may see the council reducing physical ticket machines, to lower their maintenance and cash-handling costs, with greater reliance on phone-based or digital payment systems.
This approach has already been introduced at Beck Theatre, where parking charges now apply and payment is by phone only. There is no other detail in the budget papers but it is possible that similar arrangements could be extended elsewhere – we will report back when we learn more.
Alternatives to parking at the Lido
It is also worth noting that parking is not the only way to reach Ruislip Lido.
The H13 bus runs from Ruislip and Ruislip Manor to the Lido. For residents with a Freedom Pass or bus pass, travel is free, offering an alternative to driving and parking.
St Martin’s Approach and Winston Churchill Hall
Separately from the budget, we have recently learned that St Martin’s Approach car park may need to close temporarily during redevelopment works at the former CAB site.
Our Ruislip councillors have said they have asked the Cabinet Member to ensure the car park is kept open as much as possible during the works.
If closures occur, greater use is likely to fall on the Winston Churchill Hall car park, which is currently free when open, although it is not always available. There are no current proposals in the current budget to introduce charges there.
Have your say
The council’s budget consultation is open, and parking charges form just one of the proposals.
We are working through the draft budget and will be producing other articles over the coming weeks, during the budget consultation period, as we digest other changes and proposals.
Residents who wish to comment on:
- The scale of parking charge increases
- The introduction of winter charges at Ruislip Lido
- Changes to Hillingdon First Card benefits
- The possible reduction in payment options
are encouraged to take part before the consultation closes. Feedback will be considered until 4th February and the final budget is set to be agreed at the full Council meeting at the end of February.
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