A RESIDENTS’ parking scheme is set to be piloted in the centre of Weston from April.

The scheme would give priority to permit holders on 15 different streets during certain hours.

North Somerset Council said the scheme has been brought about so parking spaces can be shared between residents, commuters and other vehicles more equally.

It is also hoped that the pilot scheme can help manage traffic and congestion, make the roads safer and improve air quality.

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Resident-only parking bays would be in operation from 8am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday, including bank holidays (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Vehicles without a permit would be able to use the spaces outside of these hours.

Permit holders would be able to add visitor hours to their permits and an additional permit specifically for businesses would allow businesses to apply for five spaces that could be used by any vehicle.

The scheme will be reviewed 12 months after it is in operation in April providing the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is successful.

Where is the residents’ parking scheme being trialled in Weston-super-Mare?

The streets included in the scheme are:

• Baker Street
• Glebe Road
• Wooler Road
• Jubilee Road
• George Street
• Swiss Road
• Hill Road
• Stafford Road
• Beaufort Road
• Clarendon Road
• Gordon Road
• Milburn Road
• Trevelyan Road
• Little George Street
• Camden Terrace

A map showing the affected streets for the Weston pilot parking scheme, with the streets outlined in blue Picture: North Somerset Council

How much will it cost?

Resident parking permits would be priced at £60 per year and will be limited to one permit per household.

Residents may also purchase a permit that allows them to either park on-street or in Locking Road car park. This will be priced at £150 per year. Limit one permit per household (a household is defined as a single address).

Residents may also purchase a permit that allows them to park in Locking Road car park. This will be priced at £90 per year.

Residents may purchase an unlimited number of these permits.

North Somerset Council said it reserves the right to cap the number of permits if there is evidence that the available on-street parking is over-subscribed.

If this is necessary, a waiting list will be operated. Resident permits will be offered to households in chronological order from the date of the application being received.

“This is important in ensuring local people can park near their homes”

Councillor Mark Canniford, executive member for placemaking and economy at North Somerset Council, said the pilot will help vehicles share spaces on 15 “particularly busy streets”.

“This is important in ensuring local people can park near their homes, whilst balancing this need with the requirements of local businesses and their staff who need to park close to work,” he said.

“The pilot has been designed with the help of consultation feedback and a number of changes and adaptations have been made as a result of past public engagement.

“There is now a final opportunity to comment on proposals through the TRO process, which has now launched.

“We want to be sure that the new scheme is having a positive impact and will review whether it is working as planned after 12 months of its implementation.”

Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of the Council and ward councillor for Weston Central, said: “Roads can get particularly busy close to the centre of Weston-super-Mare, with vehicles parked nose to tail and people often driving around looking for a space.

“This is something I have been campaigning to tackle for many years and it’s great that we’re able to unveil these proposals for a resident’ parking scheme and help try to alleviate the issues for residents.

“It won’t be perfect or work for everyone, but it is important that we test this approach before considering rollout in other areas similarly affected by parking pressures.”

Comment on the proposal

The pilot is subject to a TRO which gives people an opportunity to comment on the details of the proposals.

The TRO consultation will run from now until 5pm on Friday, February 21.

Notices to advertise the TRO needed to introduce the scheme will be placed at locations around impacted street and, if successful, the pilot will begin in the spring/summer.

It will be possible to apply for permits from the North Somerset Council website at that time.

Read more about the scheme at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/WestonRPS.