B&NES councillors have agreed to further consultation with local residents about proposed changes to parking charges.
This includes proposals to introduce charges based on vehicle size for residents’ parking permits and changes to all day parking at Bath’s three Park & Ride sites.
Initial public consultation on the proposals ran from 17 October to 7 November, attracting 490 responses and 660 comments.
Feedback from the consultation:
- 50 per cent of respondents supported introducing size‑based charges or discounts for residents’ parking permits, with 44 per cent opposed.
- 38 per cent of respondents supported increasing the 24-hour parking charge at Park & Ride sites from £3 to £4 for motorists who don’t use the bus service, with 37 per cent opposed.
- 31 per cent of respondents supported increasing visitor permit charges, which haven’t been changed since 2013, with 59 per cent opposed.
- Plans to extend parking charges at Bath Hill East car park in Keynsham to include Saturdays will not go ahead after feedback from residents and businesses highlighted concerns about impact on local footfall and affordability.
Councillor Joel Hirst, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Strategy, and Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Communications and Community, have now agreed to further public consultation later this spring.
Councillor Joel Hirst said: “We know residents care deeply about how parking is managed in their communities and the first consultation gave us valuable feedback, including support for permit costs based on vehicle size.
The aim of this is to encourage ownership of smaller, safer vehicles that reduce the risk of serious injury to pedestrians and cyclists and cause less obstruction on narrow streets.”
Councillor Manda Rigby added: “After careful consideration of the feedback, we’ve decided to move forward with some of the recommended changes, and we will go out to seek further views on more detailed proposals.”
The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) public consultation will take place later this spring.
For more information and to see the decision details visit our website.
