PLANS to charge for overnight in parking in council-owned Somerset car parks have been scrapped – as residents protested a review of fees for drivers.

Somerset Council is carrying out a review of car parks in the area, and has unveiled plans to introduce charges at free sites, as well as introducing Sunday charges and uniform rates.

However, one part of the proposals – to introduce fees for parking overnight – has been scrapped after a meeting of the authority’s Executive on Monday (March 3).

At the Budget Meeting, members also agreed to provide free parking for up to 30 minutes in new, on-street limited waiting bays, in a bid to encourage turnover of spaces and support businesses.

Lead member for transport and waste services, Councillor Richard Wilkins (Lib Dem, Curry Rivel & Langport), proposed the amendments to the parking review for 2025/26 after receiving feedback from residents and concerns raised at a Corporate and Resources Scrutiny meeting last week.

The revised proposals, which will still be subject to full public consultation before any final decisions are made, now include:

• Standardising charges for Sunday parking at all car parks – currently this only applies at some car parks.
• Introducing charges at car parks which are currently free

There are currently different rates and charging principles applied across the county’s 200 council-run car parks, and the system has not been reviewed since Somerset Council came into being in 2023, the council said.

Cllr Wilkins said: “We have listened to concerns raised at scrutiny, from the public and businesses.

“We want to give people the flexibility to park for a short time, while at the same time encouraging turnover of spaces for visitors. We also want to support businesses when it comes to the night-time economy and these amendments do that.

“However, we have still inherited a parking estate with big differences across the county. For example, in Williton, Sunday parking is charged the same as the rest of the week, whereas in Wellington it is free on Sundays, meanwhile in Wiveliscombe car parking is free all week and Wincanton Town Council pays for its car park to be free.

“Is it right that those paying to park in some towns are subsidising free parking in other towns?

“We need to bring fairness and uniformity in parking practice 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.”

In response to the review, around 100 people turned out in Wiveliscombe on Saturday (March 1) to protest the planned charges.

Demonstrators gathered at the Croft Way car park, with many bearing signs opposing the introduction of charges.

Cllr Dave Mansell (Green Party, Wiveliscombe & Upper Tone) said: “It is feared that many people will avoid the charges by parking in local streets, adding to problems with access being blocked and others then being unable to park near their homes.

“Shopkeepers are concerned that shoppers will abandon Wiveliscombe and go to out-of-town supermarkets instead.”

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He added: “I am very disappointed at the Executive decision to press on with daily charges in currently free car parks across Somerset, including those in Milverton and Wiveliscombe.

“These car parks are needed by nearby residents who have no parking at their homes. It is inevitable that some will instead park on-street, adding to existing problems.

“There are also concerns that shoppers will choose to instead shop elsewhere where parking remains free. Other problems include parking for the Wivey Link community transport service.

Protestors say the changes would see less shoppers come to Wiveliscombe Picture: Julian Mellor

“The assessment of community and business impacts in the committee report was woeful.

“It is said this will be better addressed by consultation to follow, but that will be constrained by now committing to the income in the council’s budget.

“Nevertheless, it will be important to engage and try to improve the outcome from the charging decisions that have been rushed through the council over the last two and a half weeks.”

The proposals will be subject to a full public consultation before they are finalised and if approved, are expected to come into place by October.