PARKING charges look set to be introduced at sites in Nailsea, Clevedon and Portishead in a bid to tackle a £23 million funding gap.
After revealing a potential budget deficit of some £23.5m, North Somerset Council’s Executive agreed on Wednesday (October 16) to progress plans for charges as part of its Parking Management Strategy.
The decision comes after the charges were outlined during a period of informal consultation and consideration of technical and expert advice.
Pricing of the charges varies by location with costs starting at £1 for an hour.
Councillor Mark Canniford, executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and the economy at the council, said: “We’re doing all that we can to urge national government to look at council funding and support us with a fairer deal so that we can continue to deliver vital services here in North Somerset.
“As is the case for many councils across the country, we are facing an unprecedented financial emergency caused by year-on-year cuts and a steady increase in service demand.
“This means the cost of delivering our services could amount to £23.5m more than we have by March 2025, putting us at real risk of serving a Section 114 notice.
“Councils have a legal obligation to balance their books and, if we are unable do so, a Section 114 report means the council would have to stop all non-essential spending.
“It would also mean that national government it likely to step in and reduce council services to their bare essentials. This would have significant impacts on our communities and – as is the case for other councils forced into a Section 114 – could extend as far as cuts to all council services and increases in taxes and charges.
“We are not in a position to wait around in the hope that the government will announce a financial support package that will come to our rescue.
“Instead, it comes down to us to take difficult decisions and protect the deeply valued services that we deliver across North Somerset.”
Currently, the council owns and operates 44 car parks but only charges at 17. And Cllr Canniford said introducing fees would mean “parking services that are better managed, better maintained and self-funding”.
“This is crucial in making important savings and freeing up funds that can be reinvested back into our main budget,” Cllr Canniford went on.
“We understand that the charges ask something extra of our residents when they too are facing a cost of living crisis. This decision is not one we take lightly and we have considered many options before arriving at this point.
“Unfortunately, as is the case for neighbouring councils who have already introduced parking charges, our financial situation is such that it now leaves us with little flexibility or choice.
“Feedback from residents and other community organisations has played an important role in shaping the proposals, including parking charge locations, pricing and hours of operation, with consideration given to the nuances of each town.”
Another round of formal consultation will follow, he added, with the charges set to be introduced from 2025.
The council is also in contact with town councils and other organisations to explore options for commercial leases that would allow them to take on management of the car parks themselves.
The proposed parking charges in Portishead, Nailsea and Clevedon in council documents are:
Car parks near retail areas:
Portishead, Roath Road; Clevedon, Marson Road, Great Western Road East and Great Western Road West; Nailsea, Station Road and Clevedon Road
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm:
£1 for one hour
£1.50 for two hours
£2.50 for three hours
£3.50 all day
On-street retail areas:
Clevedon, Hill Road area (including Alexandra Road, Bellevue, Gardens)
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm:
30 minutes free
£1.50 for one hour
£2.50 for two hours
£3.50 for three hours
On-street prime locations:
Clevedon, Elton Road/Old Church Road
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm:
Peak:
£1.50 for one hour
£5.50 for four hours
£9 for all day
Off-peak:
£1,50 for one hour
£3 for four hours
£5 for all day
Car parks in prime locations:
Portishead, Lake Grounds area:
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm:
Peak:
£1.50 for one hour
£5 for four hours
£8 for all day
Off-peak:
£1.50 for one hour
£2.60 for four hours
£4 for all day
All proposals are subject to amendment following a public consultation process.
I wonder how many businesses will either close or move because of the charges. More people will be parking on side streets
Councillors should pay back the 700,000£ they wasted on Clevedon seafront recently out of their own pockets it’s a joke
Public consultation is a waste of time, the council has made its decision full stop
NSC could not run the Lidp on Portishead lake grounds,run efficiently by volunteers,Parking charges will add to the cost of a swim or cup of coffee,volunteers will have to pay to park.The sea front is one of the few dry places in winter to park and have a walk and breath of fresh air,now you will have to pay,no good saying walk or use public transport as its a long way from the town.
NSC are inept, this will kill off Hill road for instance and deter visitors to the town. It will cost a fortune to implement and their finances will not improve. I’ve told them before that they need to think outside the box re raising revenue.
NSC are inept, this will kill off Hill road for instance and deter visitors to the town. It will cost a fortune to implement and their finances will not improve. I’ve told them before that they need to think outside the box re raising revenue.
North Somerset is a circus run by clowns……. Just one simple example is Clevedon seafront…….
Just won’t go there any more
Should be encouraging people to go there / not driving them away. I have got no intention of paying for any car parking so if introduced people will go elsewhere.