DRIVERS in Somerset could pay to park in car parks that are currently free under new proposals.
Cash-strapped Somerset Council is set to discuss a series of potential changes to parking charges across the county in what they say is a bid to bring consistency across Somerset.
There are currently different rates and charging principles applied across the county’s 200 or so council-run car parks, and the system has not been reviewed since Somerset Council came into being in 2023.
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The council says the aim of the proposals, which will first be discussed at corporate and resources scrutiny at Somerset Council on February 24, is to bring “consistency”.
If approved, the proposals would also ensure the service continues to be completely self-funded to cover staffing, serving and administrating penalty notices, and managing and maintaining car parks to a high level.
Proposed changes include:
• Introducing a new county-wide overnight charge in car parks
• Standardising charges for Sunday parking at all car parks – currently only applied at some car parks.
• Introducing charges at car parks that are currently free
• Introducing on-street charging to limited waiting bays in town centres – currently only applied in some areas
Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and waste, councillor Richard Wilkins said the changes would mean parking services in the county could be self-financed.
“We have many car parks in Somerset and there are significant costs and challenges involved in running and maintaining them,” he said.
“It’s really important we bring fairness and uniformity in charges across the county and in turn, the extra income will help ensure the parking service is fully self-financed and can continue to be run, staffed and maintained properly.”
If approved in principle by the council’s executive on February 26, the proposals will then go out to public consultation.
Somerset Council has been looking at ways to save money in light of its financial emergency and it is selling off a number of assets to recoup some funds.
The council just last week rowed back from plans to sell off a Taunton high street car park following backlash.
Moves such as the proposal to introduce parking charges to currently free car parks are expected to be more common as it looks to establish financial stability.
Our Council anything to make money for themselves with no thought to the local traders shops and business who have to pay more and more to operate. Just take a look at Yeovil. Evening and Sunday charges will just about be the last straw