A few keen-eyed residents have spotted this St Albans car park full of vehicles - but what is going on?

At Westminster Lodge drivers have highlighted the inconvenience of several cars taking up their spots as they attend the gym or visit Verulanium Park. 

Chris Traill, strategic director for community and place delivery at St Albans City and District Council, said a TV production company is the reason for the increased amount of vehicles by the gym.

According to the council, the production company will leave on Sunday, October 13 and return briefly for three days on Wednesday, October 29 to Friday, October 31.

An ITV drama starring Rose Ayling-Ellis is filming in and around the city, and they been using a section of the Westminster Lodge car park as a vehicle base.

Some filming took place at Fade To Black coffee shop in Marshalswick during September.

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A filming crew have been using the car park for a new ITV drama.A filming crew have been using the car park for a new ITV drama. (Image: Google Maps) Mr Traill said: “In return for the filming, we have negotiated a substantial fee as part of a range of measures to reduce the council’s budget deficit.

"The reality of the council’s finances means we need to look at a range of income sources," he explained.

The council suggested they have only had "one complaint" about the film crew’s presence, with most enquiries from people curious about what drama is being filmed. 

Mr Traill added: “Filmmaking is a major economic sector in South West Hertfordshire, providing many high-quality jobs and opportunities for other businesses.

“We are committed to supporting the industry through actions such as providing a vehicle base, and being a partner of the Hertfordshire Film Office.

“Filming such as this also helps promote St Albans as a visitor destination as the interest generated by the filming of Wonka at Verulamium Park in 2022 demonstrates.”

Details of alternative city centre car parks and location of on-street pay and display parking bays can be found at stalbans.gov.uk/car-parks-and-street-pay-and-display.