SOMERSET Council could introduce parking charges on Sundays at all council-run car parks as part of its plans to review parking across the county.
The council said it had reviewed the plans ahead of a public consultation in order to protect free overnight parking.
The proposals also include the introduction of charges in car parks which are currently free.
Following a discussion on proposed changes during an Executive Budget Meeting today (March 3), the council’s executive members also agreed provide free parking for up to 30 minutes in the new on-street limited waiting bays to encourage turnover of available spaces and support local businesses.
The aim of the proposals is to bring “consistency and fairness to 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,” Somerset Council said.
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.
READ MORE: A361 road, near Taunton, to be closed across three days
READ MORE: New Banksy like artwork appears in Somerset village
READ MORE: Frome's Weymouth Road to get waiting restrictions as permit scrapped
The council’s lead member for transport and waste, Councillor Richard 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.”
The revised proposals will be subject to full public consultation before any final decisions are made, Somerset Council said.
Share