Car parks are "not geese that lay golden eggs" and sharp rises in parking charges should be resisted, a Somerset resident has warned.
Somerset Council's executive committee voted in March to begin a root-and-branch review of Somerset car parking charges, which could see a new 'tiered' pricing structure introduced for both on- and off-street parking.
A total of £272,824 was allocated from the council's parking reserve to pay external consultants to gather evidence about how busy every car park is, with detailed proposals being published in early-September.
Axbridge resident and former Conservative councillor Graham Godwin-Pearson has warned that parking charges could rise by up to 50 per cent in certain rural areas, putting further unwanted pressure on small businesses.
The council said that no final decision has been taken on the proposed changes and there would be further opportunities for local residents and businesses to give their views.
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Mr Godwin-Pearson made a statement on the matter when the full council convened in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (September 16).
He said: "In July, the executive member for transport told me that the parking review has taken into consideration local circumstances, rather than being a one-size-fits-all approach.
"Looking at the report, however, it very much seems that instead of a one-size-fits-all, it’s a 'five-tiers-fits-all' approach, and I don’t see much consideration of local circumstances.
"In Cheddar, this amounts to a proposed increase of roughly 50 per cent, which is significant given that there’s scant public transport alternative for those too far, too young or too frail to walk or cycle into the village.
"It strikes me that car parks are not geese that lay golden eggs, and increasing parking charges will reduce demand, affecting footfall for local businesses already under pressure.
"My prediction is that more drivers will park on residential streets, while some visitors will be deterred altogether - and that’s the bit that worries me the most. We need to be bringing visitors in, not putting them off."
Mr Godwin-Pearson served as the Conservative councillor for the Axevale ward on Sedgemoor District Council between 2019 and 2023 - which included Axbridge, Cheddar and the surrounding villages.
He added; "Has the council engaged the division members, parish and town councils, local businesses and residents on the increases, and what does that consultation now look like?
"Should the community roundly reject the proposals, will the council trust that locals know their areas better than external consultants, and not press ahead?"
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for highways and transport, reassured Mr Godwin-Pearson that further consultation would be carried out to address specific concerns before any changes came in effect.
Mr Wilkins (who represents the Curry Rivel and Langport division) said: "We do understand that there’s a great deal of interest and concern about the proposed changes to car parking.
"As a unitary authority, we inherited a range of different practices for parking in different towns, and are developing proposals for a fair and consistent charging structure across the county.
"We are processing feedback we received following the relevant scrutiny committee's consideration of this matter, which will help inform the final recommendations put to the executive.
"Any changes to the charging structure includes a statutory consultation stage to enable specific concerns to be given due consideration prior to the introduction of any changes to fees and charges.
"I just cannot predetermine what changes will be made following that process. That would be utterly wrong."
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